My First Brew!!

So, I brewed my first batch of beer.  It happened to be Summer Wheat.  (Just what the kit came with.)  Luckily it was only a 1 gallon recipe and not a typical 5 gallon recipe.  So, I learned a few things from this experience.  1. I need more and bigger stock pots.  2. I need a larger fine mesh strainer.  3. Brewing full grain doesn't seem as bad as I initially thought.  4. Hops smell weird. 5. I have a lot more to learn.

So the brew is complete, in my basement and fermenting as we speak.  I hope I didn't mess it up, because I kind of expected more bubbling to be taking place now, so hopefully I didn't kill off my yeast.  If I did, that will be lesson #6.  I guess I will see how the beer tastes in a couple weeks.  That is the one problem I have with brewing beer is that tasting it as you're making it doesn't work like with cooking.

First Steps!!

So I finally took the first steps into getting into this whole brewing thing.  I bought a book this weekend, "The Everything Guide to Home Brewing.'  It seems pretty good so far, although after the first couple chapters it does get a little confusing.  I think that is probably just because I haven't brewed anything yet.  Also, I ordered a home brewing kit from Williams-Sonoma.  I know, not what I should have done, but It's a 1 gallon carboy and I figured this would be good for small batches that I am experimenting with.  Also, it was on sale, and for anyone who knows me, I cannot pass up a good sale on things.  I do plan on buying a regular sized kit with a 5 gallon carboy soon.  I will be making my way to the home brew shop in Sparta, hopefully this weekend.