First Time Brewing......help!

[TaiD]

Hi Guys,

I have just done my first ever brew day.

Jumped in at the deep end with Jims All Grain stock bitter recipe.

I've got my beer busy fermenting and am now thinking about the process of getting it into a barrel.

Is Gervin english ale yeast top or bottom fermenting, and should I syphon the beer out from the top or tap it out from the tap near the bottom?

Also should I remove the first yeasty foam from the surface (has been fermenting for 24hrs)

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Horden Hillbilly]

Firstly, well done on your 1st all grain brew. Now, in response to your questions.

Is Gervin english ale yeast top or bottom fermenting?

Top fermenting.

should I syphon the beer out from the top or tap it out from the tap near the bottom?

If you have a piece of plastic tubing to fit your tap, that would be the easiest option. There is nothing wrong with syphoning from the top however. What ever method you choose, don't let your fermented brew "splash" as this will cause areation which will give your brew a "cardboard" type off flavour. To prevent this, make sure that your plastic tubing is long enough to reach the bottom of the receiving container/barrel/bottles.

Also should I remove the first yeasty foam from the surface?

You only need skim the dark brown "trub" which rises onto the surface of the the yeast, use a sterilised spoon/paddle to do this.

[TaiD]

Excellent, thanks very much