One Small Step for AG, One Giant Leap for Crispy

Get advice on making beer from raw ingredients (malt, hops, water and yeast)
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Crispy Hedgehog

One Small Step for AG, One Giant Leap for Crispy

Post by Crispy Hedgehog » Sat Mar 31, 2012 9:38 pm

Well, Finally making the leap across to AG.

Kit is now sorted and i will give it a final run through just to make sure that all is Ok and that I have got my figures correct (i.e. dead space vaolumes, loss in boiler etc). I was thinking of doing a fairly straightforward 23 Litre brew using just a couple of Malts and a single Hop variety (something like the Draught Bass in GW's book). Thinking behind this is trying to keep things simple and not confusing by remembering loads of stuff. I'm not even going to bother about water treatment as it would just add further complications (however I would be adding the campden tab).

However, is there anything else i will need to bear in-mind/prepare for 9other than the obvious things like have I bought the grain etc). Is there anything, that you old salts wish you had done from the beginning, or remember what it was like doing AG#1.....

Can't wait to get started..... :D

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Eric
Even further under the Table
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Re: One Small Step for AG, One Giant Leap for Crispy

Post by Eric » Sat Mar 31, 2012 10:59 pm

Before filling any vessel, check that its tap is closed. You might think that is obvious, so did I. Good luck.
Without patience, life becomes difficult and the sooner it's finished, the better.

Spud395

Re: One Small Step for AG, One Giant Leap for Crispy

Post by Spud395 » Sat Mar 31, 2012 11:08 pm

Relax, enjoy, write a check list of the procedure.

Dont worry to much about volumes and figures for no.1 and get to know your system, oh yeah and enjoy

critch

Re: One Small Step for AG, One Giant Leap for Crispy

Post by critch » Sun Apr 01, 2012 1:48 am

cant stress tap closure enough! apart from that, youve got your recipe, youve got your shedule,dont stress out, enjoy!!! =D> =D> =D>

masterosouffle

One Small Step for AG, One Giant Leap for Crispy

Post by masterosouffle » Sun Apr 01, 2012 7:54 am

Three years on and still leaving taps open!
You seem a lot more organised than I was and mine was more than drinkable, sure you'll have a great brew and finish up with some lovely beer you can be round of!

PureGuiness

Re: One Small Step for AG, One Giant Leap for Crispy

Post by PureGuiness » Sun Apr 01, 2012 8:09 am

Mind where the output hose from the chiller is before swtiching it on - that water is hot (ouchy!) :oops:

As everyone has said, try to enjoy it and stay calm. Things might go wrong the first few times but you'll normally still end up with the best beer you've ever brewed.

subfaction
Hollow Legs
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Re: One Small Step for AG, One Giant Leap for Crispy

Post by subfaction » Sun Apr 01, 2012 9:23 am

Good luck, not an old hand, only done x4, but no disasters yet!
One thing that took me by surprise was the amount of waiting for boiler to get to temp - so give yourself PLENTY of time.
Write a checklist, and go through the steps mentally before hand to get them making sense in your head.
Remember there's time to think through and get sorted for the next step, when mashing/boiling.
Try and keep notes if you can, it will help for the next time!
I'd relax, but delay the "enjoy a homebrew" until your done ;)

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