Yet another thread about beginner questions I'm afraid

[Herzog]

Hi there! I'm planning on starting brewing for the first time in the next few weeks.

The kit I currently have/will have soon is as follows

25L bucket with lid
Siphon hose with tap
sterilising tablets
Bottle capper plus many pint bottles.
EDIT: hydrometer and big plastic spoon.
What else do I need for my first ever brew? Apart from a kit of course! [recommendations would be ever so helpful]

As far as I have been advised for simple brewing, ferment it in the bucket, bottle it with the siphon, keep in bottles for as long as I can wait.

Thanks in advance!

Chris.

 

[Floodster]

Hydrometer and a thermometer.

 

[pittsy]

hi , great brewing starting soon aye you will also need a plastic mixing spoon (not wooden) they are very cheap , also a hydrometer (also only about £2ish) and a thermometer .Also top tip to make a better beer from your kit don't use sugar use dried malt extract , also ferment for longer than instructions (they say 4 days but 10 to 14 is needed) and don't ferment to high a temp , should be around 18/20c ideal not up to 26c as some instructions may say . Good luck with it .

 

[Herzog]

hi , great brewing starting soon aye you will also need a plastic mixing spoon (not wooden) they are very cheap , also a hydrometer (also only about £2ish) and a thermometer .Also top tip to make a better beer from your kit don't use sugar use dried malt extract , also ferment for longer than instructions (they say 4 days but 10 to 14 is needed) and don't ferment to high a temp , should be around 18/20c ideal not up to 26c as some instructions may say . Good luck with it .

I have the spoon and hydrometer! Just forgot to write them on the post.

Malt extract instead- Got it!

Any advice about the yeast the kits come with? I have heard things about it not being particularly good at its job.

 

[johnnie]

I did loads of kits before going A.G. Never had any problems with the yeast supplied in the kits. What are you waitin' for. Just get it going and chuck that yeast in. In a few weeks you'll have some beer :party:

 

[Herzog]

I did loads of kits before going A.G. Never had any problems with the yeast supplied in the kits. What are you waitin' for. Just get it going and chuck that yeast in. In a few weeks you'll have some beer :party:

I'm waiting until I'm at uni again! No sense me being 200 miles away from my beer now is there :P

Thanks for that, put my mind at ease about not messing up my first try!

 

[simo72]

I'd agree with everything said here but just say that the two can kits are much better tho slightly more :thumb: expensive tho not much since no extra spray malt or sugar is needed and always put 1/2 campden tablet in your water before adding to your brew (use a spare bucket :thumb: or FV ) I find this removes a chlorine taste you sometimes get in the beer.
Hope all goes well

 

[Davybarman]

Hi and Welocme.

Good luck with you brew. I think the basics have already been covered :thumb:

 

[Herzog]

Thanks all! I'll keep a record of how I'm doing on another thread later on.

 

[GrumpyBunny]

I'd say that you have everything you need to make a decent brew; I have made some great beers without a thermometer or hydrometer.

I agree that malt extract will make a huge difference in the colour and taste but it is not essential if you can't get hold of it or can't wait. In fact it is good to go for the "vanilla" option so you can see what difference these changes will make in your next brew.

I find a second bucket is useful to decant your beer into once the primary fermentation has finished to improve clarity and batch prime; but it is not essential.

The best thing you can have though is patience; try and avoid opening and closing the lid and taking loads of readings; use the force and let the yeast do its work.

There are loads of other things that you will want and you can consider these as you enjoy the fruits of your labour and plan the next brew.

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