My First Brew

[beerdrinker]

Ok, I started fermenting my Muntons Premium Pilsner on Monday (5th), and on its instructions if had me just add the mix to water in the fermenter.

It says the fermentation period should be done in 5 to 6 days, at which time I should bottle the beer. However upon reading some other sites, the fermentation time and brewing instructions are very different. I am just looking to make sure I follow the right instructions.

As of now the SG is at 1.012, and it was around 1.018 yesterday. Once the SG is constant below 1.008 the instructions say to bottle the beer, however many online references say that it should stay in the fermenter for 14 days.

In addition, the instructions I have are to add 1/2 a teaspoon of sugar directly to the bottles, then move the beer into the bottles. But the 'How to Brew' site says to transfer to another bucket with the sugars mixed with water in it, and then to the bottles. I'm a little confused as to which instructions to follow and would appreciate any tips. I can easily pick up another bucket to do this as the wine/beer store is right across the street, they just have a poor selection of beer supplies.

Thanks,

Sean.

[seanhagerty]

I would follow the how to brew instructions

Sean

[beerdrinker]

ok, I'll try to follow the How to Brew instructions...

"Beer Kit Rules
1. Don't follow the instructions on the can to add cane or corn sugar.
2. Don't use the yeast that came with the can (Unless it is a name brand and has a use-by date code)."

It's too late to follow these... but why is it that I shouldn't add the corn sugar as it says on the instructions? What should I do instead? Cause I have 1.4 Kg of corn sugar in my room that came with my 2nd kit...

[Lars]

If you are adding the corn sugar for bottling, it will be fine. If you are adding it as a significant part of your fermentables, then you will not get the beer you want. My first kit said to add 2.5lbs of table sugar to 2.5lbs of DME. It was just plain bad. Good thing I went to the LHBS before giving up! They set me up for my second batch which was much better.

You want to best yeast you can get. The yeast that comes with the beer kits will work. But you can do much better. If possible try to get either some White Labs or Wyyeast liquid yeast. The drying process is not kind to our yeasty friends, so if possible liquid is better. If you can't get liquid yeast there are some decent dry yeasts out there... Fermentis US-56 is pretty good for a clean, neutral dry yeast.

[beerdrinker]

the corn sugar is being added for fermenting... so I shouldn't add it? save it for priming/bottling only?

I already put the 2.2 lbs of corn sugar in for the fermenting stage, but I also have a 2nd batch I'm about ready to start on, and that calls for the 2.2 lbs of sugar. If I can make it without the sugar, why does it call for sugar? Do I need to put something else in place of the sugar?

Thanks.

[Lars]

I'd suggest replacing the corn sugar with dried malt extract (DME). You will make better beer this way. You'll need to add a much smaller amount of corn sugar for priming (carbonating). I know you've heard it before, but you should really read How to Brew either online or the print version. It will become your bible for brewing.

[beerdrinker]

Ok, so no more corn sugar for fermenting... I should use DME... now the question is how much DME should I use? And what kind? I assume Light DME, not dark...

As for the book, I plan on picking up my copy tomorrow

Again, thanks for all the help.


Also, one last thing, I don't have a big enough pot to boil the wort in.. does this make a big difference for now? cause I have put it on my birthday wish for June, but should I just get it myself?

[seanhagerty]

I would use a 1 for 1 swap with DME. So, if you had 2.2 lbs of sugar, use 2.2 pounds of Light DME.

For these first few batches I would use the US56, or nottingham, or windsor Yeast. These are all dry yeasts and are very simple to use. Once you are comfortable with the whole process, you can switch to liquid type yeasts.

What ever size pot you are using right now will work. You are doing what is know as a partial boil. boil the largest amount of liquid you can, then cool it and top off your fermenter with water. Some will tell you to only top off with boiled water, I did a few partial boils and topped off using tap water. I was still able to make beers.

The biggest thing you want to do is get comfortable with the process, then figure out where you can or want to make improvements.

Sean