Homebrewing Beer

[Prairiehaas]

Re: Homebrewing Beer

TAB your assumption is correct. An air lock is used for secondary. I use the S-shaped ones rather than bubblers. Simply because they are one piece, no parts to use. Do not get in a hurry to trasfer to secondary. If you have a hygrometer you will be looking for specific gravity of less than 1.020, I shoot for 1.015. If you do not there are visual signs of complete primary fermentation; of course no CO2 comming out of the blow off, the wort will become darker as the yeast falls out of suspension, the top foam layer will fall, a layer of dead yeast will form at the bottom over 1/2" thick.

If you come off primary too early you can end up with beer that has a butterscotch flavor because diacetyl isn't converted by the dying yeast (not good beer). Other risk is gushers. Bottles that foam continuously because of too much pressure. In brewing patience is always rewarded.

[TransAmBison]

Re: Homebrewing Beer

TAB your assumption is correct. An air lock is used for secondary. I use the S-shaped ones rather than bubblers. Simply because they are one piece, no parts to use. Do not get in a hurry to trasfer to secondary. If you have a hygrometer you will be looking for specific gravity of less than 1.020, I shoot for 1.015. If you do not there are visual signs of complete primary fermentation; of course no CO2 comming out of the blow off, the wort will become darker as the yeast falls out of suspension, the top foam layer will fall, a layer of dead yeast will form at the bottom over 1/2" thick.

If you come off primary too early you can end up with beer that has a butterscotch flavor because diacetyl isn't converted by the dying yeast (not good beer). Other risk is gushers. Bottles that foam continuously because of too much pressure. In brewing patience is always rewarded.

Thanks...all good advise. My original plan was to go to primary after one week, but upon further reading I am thinking of waiting 2 weeks and seeing from there. Right now I am getting a bubble out of the blow off every 35-40 seconds. Looks like plenty of yeast still in suspension.

[Prairiehaas]

Re: Homebrewing Beer

Fermentation leads to happiness.

[TransAmBison]

Re: Homebrewing Beer

Switched the beer over into the secondary and everything was as it should be. Tasted it and it was good...a little more time and some carbonation and I think the first batch will be a success. Going to Minneapolis this weekend and going to pick up Belgian Wit for the wife. Should be fun!

[Prairiehaas]

Re: Homebrewing Beer

Excellent! After fermentation risks of contamination are diminished.

Been a busy week here also. Moved a pale ale over to secondary I brewed with New Zealand Nelson Sauvin and German Tetnanger hops. That one is a summer session beer, I'm going for a fruitier version of old world flavors. Should be good on the deck after mowing. Also bottled an American style pale ale this evening. Trying to build up stock for the summer season.

[TransAmBison]

Re: Homebrewing Beer

The wife was really impressed with Northern Brewer in Minneapolis. As we were shopping around she grabbed another carboy as she thinks I should be able to keep making beer if I have one that has to rack for a long time. Looks like she is getting hooked herself! Picked up ingredients for three more different ales. Hopefully make the Wit tomorrow night and then bottle my first beer on Thursday. I'd rather wait one more week to bottle my first beer but I'm going to see my father in law and I know he is waiting to get a case of it. The beer has really darkened up in the secondary and is now also very clear. I look on one side and I can see my hand on the other side.

Once I get that one bottled I will start on the Belgian Tripel...which is a three month beer. I talked with them at Northern Brewer and the Tripel is a very carbonated beer so I was worried about caps blowing off. They said not to worry about this. I just wondered why I heard about others corking their highly carbonated Belgians in stead of capping them. Thoughts?

[Prairiehaas]

Re: Homebrewing Beer

I believe caps are quite secure. A buddy got in a hurry on a batch and bottled before fermentation was complete. He ended up with what is known as gushers (actually more like fire extiguishers). The pressure got so high that he had a couple of bottles break. The caps though remained intact.

I'm guessing corking would be more effort than it would be worth. That and corks bring up other potential issues with sanitation and storage.

Looking forward to a report on the end result.

[TransAmBison]

Re: Homebrewing Beer

Had my second brew day last night as I made my Belgian Wit. Everything went smooth as can be. I expect to get my Belgian Tripel going soon and I'm expecting that it should be pretty easy as well.

Any words of wisdom about the carbonation process when bottling? I have my calculator for sugar content (using table sugar) and boiling it in water until all dissolved, putting in bottling bucket and then adding beer. Stirring and then bottling. I have heard to stir between six-packs as well to make sure the sugar is distributed for even carbonation in each bottle. Anything to add?

[Prairiehaas]

Re: Homebrewing Beer

Bottling day! Clean and sanitize all bottles and caps, have them staged for use. By the way, caps do not need to be boiled. A quick soak in sanitizing solution will work.

If you are using table (cane) sugar 2/3 C per 5 gal, if corn sugar 3/4 C per 5 gal. I use dried malt extract at 1-1/4 C per 5 gal. Add the sugar to 1 pint of water and bring to a boil (sanitizing again). First pour the sugar solution into your bottling bucket, then rack the fermented wort into the bottleing bucket (rack a sample to check specific gravity if you have a hygrometer). Stirring is then not necessary, unless you are adding the sugar solution to the wort. The problem with stirring is it adds oxygen to the beer (oxidation is not good) and increases risk of contamination.

Use a filling tube to fill bottles and then cap. If you have a partner helping this goes very quickly, one fills the other caps. If you are working alone it goes a bit smoother to fill several bottles, then cap those, then fill several, then cap, etc.

Finally the hard part. Waiting until carbonation is completed. It can take ten to fourteen days. Your patience will be rewarded.

[TransAmBison]

Re: Homebrewing Beer

Bottled the first batch last night, no problems at all. Getting the bottles rewashed and sanitized took the longest...but that was not exactly a surprise. My wife even helped...I poured, she capped. I think she's getting into this as well. We had a little taste and even she approved...with carbonation and time it should only get better!

[NoVaJack]

Re: Homebrewing Beer

Bottled the first batch last night, no problems at all. Getting the bottles rewashed and sanitized took the longest...but that was not exactly a surprise. My wife even helped...I poured, she capped. I think she's getting into this as well. We had a little taste and even she approved...with carbonation and time it should only get better!

Could be beginning of a lifetime obsession... in a good way... My bro-in law makes some really good home brews and is hooked.

[Prairiehaas]

Re: Homebrewing Beer

A little help with bottling is always good. Cleanliness is next to good beer. When you get into this a bit a sulfiter and bottling tree are significant time savers on bottling day.

As for getting hooked, yep straight up. It is a fine obsession.

[TransAmBison]

Re: Homebrewing Beer

So, I've got the Irish ale bottled...should be ready this weekend...but I'm guessing it could use another week or so of aging since I bottled it a week earlier than the original plan. I transferred a Belgian Wit from primary to secondary tonight...had it a bit too full so there was extra...so I proceeded to drink the rest. I chilled it down, but it is still flat...and the flavors have not had a chance to mellow...so it is not the greatest at the moment...but it did the trick to get me a little lit. Gotta love drinking beer you made yourself. I absolutely love this hobby already.

I think Wednesday or Thursday I'm going to brew up the Belgian Tripel...since this one takes 3 months...gotta have some beer ready for football season.

[Prairiehaas]

Re: Homebrewing Beer

TAB tailgating with a Tripel. Won't be able say that 3 times fast after drinking a few if it is brewed full strength.

Just bottled a pale ale I brewed as a session beer. Very pale with German Tettnanger and New Zealand Nelson Sauvin hops. This one will be light with a sharp bitterness and a funky background. Should be just right for hanging out on the deck after mowing the lawn.

[TransAmBison]

Re: Homebrewing Beer

Cracked the Irish Ale tonight. Had good enough carbonation, and the beer was good...but I think it needs another week or two to smooth the edges. Don't get me wrong, I could drink it all night, but I think just a little more time will make it very good. Tomorrow I make the Tripel. Have I mentioned I really love this hobby?