A few questions

[Walrus81]

Ok,

Before I start, there is no way that I can go to AG brewing, don't fancy kits, so am going to give extract a go.

I would like to experiment with extract, trying different malts and hop combinations.

Here are the problems, mega strapped for cash so can not get any new equipment. If I do then I will have not ingredients!

I will be doing 1 gallon (8 pints ish) quantities, my largest pan is 2ltr. Would it be ok to boil extract and hops in this?

Hops, what is the best way to keep opened packets? Freezer?

Fav drinks are HArveys, Spitfire and Abbot, but don't really like buying some of them due to their aggresive marketing

Hence venturing into HB.

So my plan was to get possibly a medium malt and a packet of hops.

~Boil hops (probably challenger) etc add yeast and ferment.

So will just one type of hop yield fairly decent results?

Once the first one is done, I will get more hops and malt, then experiement with mixtures of ligth/dark malt and various hops?

Would this be a good way to find a decent recipe?

Many thanks

[Walrus81]

ok, I have a dig vessel for boiling things (freinds food container that held flour or something)

Made of metal, approx 25ltr, it has a lid can I boil the mash in this then use it to ferment in?

Is my idea to experiment with malt and hops sound, will I be able to noticemuch difference?

What is the best way tostore hops if I only use 50% of them, freeze them?

Also dry hopping, is that just ading the hops at the same time as the yeast?

Many thanks for the response.

[Walrus81]

I intend upon on doing extract.

I believe that the vessel is stainless. It looks just like the ones you get when youbuy bulk ME.

[Walrus81]

ok.

So here is my plan.

for 1 gallon test batch.

500g dme medium type malt
26g goldings
ale yeast.

So I will get 6 ltrs water to boil, add ME.
Add 20g hops boil for 40 mins.
last 5 mins add 5g hops.
then pitch yeast and add.
Ferment and rack.

How does that sound for my first batch?

Thanks

[bitter_dave]

Make sure the wort has cooled to no more than 30 C (preferably around 20 C) or you may bugger / kill the yeast!

[Walrus81]

ok, so my next question(s)

(thanks for all this help!)

using special grains. If using whloe then I need to crush (torrified wheat, roasted barley etc) then steep at 70 degs ish forhalf hour then add to the mash.

Is that correct?

Also can I steep in 1 litre or more?

Forgot to say in previous post that would top up wort to 8/9 pints.

Finaly one saceth of yest is that enough?

Daab how did you figure out FG?

Would light malt make a difference?#

FG of 1037 similar to what style of beer?

Is there a list anywhere so I can figure out what malts and hops equal which beers (for a rough idea) or is it just a case of experiment!

[Walrus81]

thanks for the info