Hi all. I've started reading this amazing forum and need some help please!
My GF bought me a Stout kit from 'The Range' for my birthday yesterday, as I'd said for a year since moving to this house with it's cellar that I'd like to try some simple brewing. I'm planning to buy a kit from BrewGenie next week as it's just round the corner.
I have a few questions from what I have read already this morning so any help and advice would be great:
1. General question - lots of references to DME - what is this please?
2. It seems to be general consensus to ignore the instructions on the pack and leave in fermenting bin for 2 weeks, yes?
3. Ok so I have a stout kit (all in one bag jobby). What would be recommended additives? I read about yeast here but I thought that was already in the kit? Demerara sugar or molasses sugar to add? Same volume of White sugar PLUS the brown sugar or scale it down?
4. Any other tips or suggestions re additives?
5. Hydrometer doesn't seem to be part of starter kit but appears to be essential?
6. Any pros or cons to bottling instead of brewing barell? Obviously portability is a pro but I read somewhere here that stouts better in a barrel? Any bitters that are better done in the bottle?
7. Once you start drawing off the beer (drinking it!) what is the shelf life? Joking apart, in my job I have 7 day runs on long lates I don't really drink at all so I'm just a bit concerned that I sample a few pints then a week later it's gone off?!
I will be brewing my first brew in the cellar, and plan to transfer it to a brewing barrel after approx 2 weeks, then leave in that for how long? 6-8 weeks? Again this seems to be the advice given - ignore the time given on pack?
Need to check ambient cellar temp but think it's about 18c. We had a rad installed down there so can up the temp in winter if necessary. My hope is to get another barrel and try St Peters Ruby Ale next.
My first brew: a stout - help please
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PhilNotts
Re: My first brew: a stout - help please
Welcome to the forum,
Now I'm no expert and I definitely dont know as much as most people on this board but hopefully I can answer a couple questions at least
1. General question - lots of references to DME - what is this please? Its Dry Malt Extract. As far as I know you add it instead of sugar when brewing and it gives your beer a bit more body and richness
2. It seems to be general consensus to ignore the instructions on the pack and leave in fermenting bin for 2 weeks, yes?Well,the main thing is that the FG(Final Gravity) stays still for at least 3 days. I check OG(Original Gravity) when brewing then I do my first check day 10,then on wards till its the same FG. You could always start your checks as of day 7
5. Hydrometer doesn't seem to be part of starter kit but appears to be essential? This is how you take measurements for OG & FG. That way you can see if its stable at the end of fermenting. Also you can measure alcohol levels if you know OG & FG
6. Any pros or cons to bottling instead of brewing barell? Obviously portability is a pro but I read somewhere here that stouts better in a barrel?Bottles are more portable, last longer before going off and I believe with lagers are better suited. Cons though is that its a real ball ache cleaning and sterilising them compared to a barell.Also you have to watch out for exploding bottles as a bit of "danger" actor For a barell obviously the opposites apply
7. Once you start drawing off the beer (drinking it!) what is the shelf life? Joking apart, in my job I have 7 day runs on long lates I don't really drink at all so I'm just a bit concerned that I sample a few pints then a week later it's gone off?! I made beer 23rd of December, put in a Barell and I still have a few pints left and it tastes better then ever. Obviously it does go off at some point, but 7,5 months later its still fine.
I will be brewing my first brew in the cellar, and plan to transfer it to a brewing barrel after approx 2 weeks, then leave in that for how long? 6-8 weeks? Again this seems to be the advice given - ignore the time given on pack? I left beer mentioned previously 6 weeks before I even tried it. Then I tried half a pint every week after that till I found it to a taste that I REALLY enjoy, i think week 12 was that week. Again, this varies, if you search the posts there is someone who has a nice pint in his glass and it was 13 days from tin to his glass. Obviously I'm sure it would taste nicer the longer you left it but at least at that point it had a good head on it and actually looked very drinkable.
Now I hope that helps, and I hope its fairly accurate info, but as mentioned there are more people with expertise better then mine so I'm sure I'll get shot down if i'm wrong,lol
Now I'm no expert and I definitely dont know as much as most people on this board but hopefully I can answer a couple questions at least
1. General question - lots of references to DME - what is this please? Its Dry Malt Extract. As far as I know you add it instead of sugar when brewing and it gives your beer a bit more body and richness
2. It seems to be general consensus to ignore the instructions on the pack and leave in fermenting bin for 2 weeks, yes?Well,the main thing is that the FG(Final Gravity) stays still for at least 3 days. I check OG(Original Gravity) when brewing then I do my first check day 10,then on wards till its the same FG. You could always start your checks as of day 7
5. Hydrometer doesn't seem to be part of starter kit but appears to be essential? This is how you take measurements for OG & FG. That way you can see if its stable at the end of fermenting. Also you can measure alcohol levels if you know OG & FG
6. Any pros or cons to bottling instead of brewing barell? Obviously portability is a pro but I read somewhere here that stouts better in a barrel?Bottles are more portable, last longer before going off and I believe with lagers are better suited. Cons though is that its a real ball ache cleaning and sterilising them compared to a barell.Also you have to watch out for exploding bottles as a bit of "danger" actor For a barell obviously the opposites apply
7. Once you start drawing off the beer (drinking it!) what is the shelf life? Joking apart, in my job I have 7 day runs on long lates I don't really drink at all so I'm just a bit concerned that I sample a few pints then a week later it's gone off?! I made beer 23rd of December, put in a Barell and I still have a few pints left and it tastes better then ever. Obviously it does go off at some point, but 7,5 months later its still fine.
I will be brewing my first brew in the cellar, and plan to transfer it to a brewing barrel after approx 2 weeks, then leave in that for how long? 6-8 weeks? Again this seems to be the advice given - ignore the time given on pack? I left beer mentioned previously 6 weeks before I even tried it. Then I tried half a pint every week after that till I found it to a taste that I REALLY enjoy, i think week 12 was that week. Again, this varies, if you search the posts there is someone who has a nice pint in his glass and it was 13 days from tin to his glass. Obviously I'm sure it would taste nicer the longer you left it but at least at that point it had a good head on it and actually looked very drinkable.
Now I hope that helps, and I hope its fairly accurate info, but as mentioned there are more people with expertise better then mine so I'm sure I'll get shot down if i'm wrong,lol
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Dominic
Re: My first brew: a stout - help please
Hi Phil. That's all really helpful and encouraging! Thank you so much for your help. I'm particularly chuffed about the storage time in the barrel as I was worried this may have been an issue. Thanks for solving the DME riddle too, although I have nk idea if I need it?!
So I need a hydrometer... Is there a ready reckoner or guide for this and abv measurements? I guess it's on the forum somewhere.
So I need a hydrometer... Is there a ready reckoner or guide for this and abv measurements? I guess it's on the forum somewhere.
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Barticus
My first brew: a stout - help please
Hi Dominic. So jealous of your man cave!
As a newbie myself I would recommend watching a few of the CraigTube videos on YouTube showing the process from start to finish.
As a newbie myself I would recommend watching a few of the CraigTube videos on YouTube showing the process from start to finish.
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Dominic
Re: My first brew: a stout - help please
It's only part of the cellar (man cave lol 
) but yes I have a 2.5' wide by 5' deep area. I plan to put shelves up (I have enough spare worktop from kitchen for two substantial shelves) and have an old kitchen cupboard I can store odds and ends in. It's all quite exciting, but have got to paint the new spare room in the extension first :-/
Thanks for tip on the vids on YouTube, will have a good gander at those tonight.
) but yes I have a 2.5' wide by 5' deep area. I plan to put shelves up (I have enough spare worktop from kitchen for two substantial shelves) and have an old kitchen cupboard I can store odds and ends in. It's all quite exciting, but have got to paint the new spare room in the extension first :-/Thanks for tip on the vids on YouTube, will have a good gander at those tonight.
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Gosbeck
Re: My first brew: a stout - help please
You will find that the stout kit does come with yeast, as one part of the bag it comes in has a double skinned wall with a sachet of yeast in it.
I would advise that at least 50% of the fermentables that you add is malt - either liquid or dry malt extract. No more than 20% of the fermentables should be mollases, cane or demerera sugar otherwise you are likely to get a homebrew tang to the finished beer. However, more than 20% golden syrup would be ok, as this is a partiallly inverted sugar.
I would advise that at least 50% of the fermentables that you add is malt - either liquid or dry malt extract. No more than 20% of the fermentables should be mollases, cane or demerera sugar otherwise you are likely to get a homebrew tang to the finished beer. However, more than 20% golden syrup would be ok, as this is a partiallly inverted sugar.
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Dominic
Re: My first brew: a stout - help please
That's really helpful, thank you. Do you add equal weight DME substituted for sugar then? Ie substitute 700g for 700g sugar, then add 150g each of golden syrup and molasses? The recipe calls for 1kg of sugar. Thanks for the tip re the molasses as I would have probably added too much!
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Dominic
Re: My first brew: a stout - help please
Right, I carefully sterilised everything last night, did the kit as per instructions and this morning it started bubbling through the bubbler thingy!
Now, I decided to make it as per instructions ie 1kg of brewing sugar added, as I don't really understand yet about the alternatives, but now wish I had added spraymalt (which I assumed was a spray but it appears it's in a packet lol). What I was wondering is if there is any modification I can make either now or when I add it to the pressure barrel in a couple of weeks or so? I know I need to prime the barrel but can I do this with something other than more brewing sugar to improve the flavour?
We live and learn and I guess there will be plenty more brews after this one to tinker with, but as it is a basic pack I wish now I'd done something to liven it up as I'm worried that even if it all works as it should that I am going to be disappointed.
Now, I decided to make it as per instructions ie 1kg of brewing sugar added, as I don't really understand yet about the alternatives, but now wish I had added spraymalt (which I assumed was a spray but it appears it's in a packet lol). What I was wondering is if there is any modification I can make either now or when I add it to the pressure barrel in a couple of weeks or so? I know I need to prime the barrel but can I do this with something other than more brewing sugar to improve the flavour?
We live and learn and I guess there will be plenty more brews after this one to tinker with, but as it is a basic pack I wish now I'd done something to liven it up as I'm worried that even if it all works as it should that I am going to be disappointed.
Re: My first brew: a stout - help please
Hi mate as I have learnt over the past six or seven months is its great fun with some fantastic results (and some not so good ones 
) but what you will find is its addictive the more you brew the more you want and the people on this site will look after you I also remember my first brew and someone said to me before you know it you will have lots of shiny things they w ere right . Not sure about adding something else to your brew I think it is better left alone to do its thing . On your next kit just ask on this forum before you brew and you will get great results because someone out there has already brewed it .happy brewing 
) but what you will find is its addictive the more you brew the more you want and the people on this site will look after you I also remember my first brew and someone said to me before you know it you will have lots of shiny things they w ere right . Not sure about adding something else to your brew I think it is better left alone to do its thing . On your next kit just ask on this forum before you brew and you will get great results because someone out there has already brewed it .happy brewing soon be dead thank beer for that no pain where im going
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Gosbeck
Re: My first brew: a stout - help please
Dominic,
Don't worry. Your brew will turn out fine if all you have added is 1kg of brewing sugar. It may taste a little thin, but will be very enjoyable none-the-less. Trying to add anything more now could result in it all going wrong. Just be patient and enjoy your beer when it is ready...and because you have brewed it yourself it will be remarkably enjoyable.
When you get around to secondary priming the stout you will be adding so little sugar, just 80 grams, that it will make no difference to the taste. Just use ordinary granulated sugar for secondary priming - nearly all of us do on this site.
I think we have all worried about our first brew and we all worried that it had gone wrong. Beer is remarkably resiliant. After several years of brewing 20-30 kits a year I have never had one go wrong. One or two didn't turn out as well as I hoped, but all have been very drinkable with absolutely no complaints from family or friends.
Good luck.
Don't worry. Your brew will turn out fine if all you have added is 1kg of brewing sugar. It may taste a little thin, but will be very enjoyable none-the-less. Trying to add anything more now could result in it all going wrong. Just be patient and enjoy your beer when it is ready...and because you have brewed it yourself it will be remarkably enjoyable.
When you get around to secondary priming the stout you will be adding so little sugar, just 80 grams, that it will make no difference to the taste. Just use ordinary granulated sugar for secondary priming - nearly all of us do on this site.
I think we have all worried about our first brew and we all worried that it had gone wrong. Beer is remarkably resiliant. After several years of brewing 20-30 kits a year I have never had one go wrong. One or two didn't turn out as well as I hoped, but all have been very drinkable with absolutely no complaints from family or friends.
Good luck.
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Secue
Re: My first brew: a stout - help please
Hi Dominic, the lads are right, you don't need to worry about following the instructions on the kit...after all...the manufacturer put them there for a reason 
Having said that, once you get a bit more confident about your brews and have a few under your belt, you might want to try putting some DME(spray dried malt extract, and so called because it is dried...through a spraying process) or LME (liquid malt extract) into your beer instead of or perhaps as well as the sugar called for by the kit, as this can yield tastier results. As a general rule of thumb, malt is about 75% fermentable and dextrose or granulated sugar is pretty much 100% fermentable, so the more sugar you put in, the less body you get to the beer but the more alcohol, and the more malt you put in, the more body your beer has, but it might not have as much alcohol to it. So it really depends on what you want from your beer...strength, taste or a combo. As lee said...it's addictive mate, you'll be wanting to make more the moment you neck your first pint of the beer you made yourself
Having said that, once you get a bit more confident about your brews and have a few under your belt, you might want to try putting some DME(spray dried malt extract, and so called because it is dried...through a spraying process) or LME (liquid malt extract) into your beer instead of or perhaps as well as the sugar called for by the kit, as this can yield tastier results. As a general rule of thumb, malt is about 75% fermentable and dextrose or granulated sugar is pretty much 100% fermentable, so the more sugar you put in, the less body you get to the beer but the more alcohol, and the more malt you put in, the more body your beer has, but it might not have as much alcohol to it. So it really depends on what you want from your beer...strength, taste or a combo. As lee said...it's addictive mate, you'll be wanting to make more the moment you neck your first pint of the beer you made yourself -
Dominic
Re: My first brew: a stout - help please
Thanks again, belatedly, for all your kind and helpful comments. I picked up a literally amazing few bargains off eBay this week - a full HB S30 gas canister, a King Keg and two Boots pressure barrels, all with S30 valves, for under £15! Also got a Tom Caxton bitter kit (£7.50) and two Geordie mild kits (£5.50 each) half price at my local Wilkos! The latter seem ripe for modding.
Anyway the stout I think is probably ready to go into PB (going to do hydrometer readings today and tomorrow) after another week standing. Next kit a mild. Have got some Holland and Barrett malt extract, am thinking of that and half a bag of BKE but will read up as I'm sure I saw a tried and tested mod for this kit on here.
Thanks again for the help, advice and listening to my ramblings!
Anyway the stout I think is probably ready to go into PB (going to do hydrometer readings today and tomorrow) after another week standing. Next kit a mild. Have got some Holland and Barrett malt extract, am thinking of that and half a bag of BKE but will read up as I'm sure I saw a tried and tested mod for this kit on here.
Thanks again for the help, advice and listening to my ramblings!