first time home brew

[bazooka]

Hi, I am getting ready to start my first batch, and am not sure which style of beer to make. I like to drink both lagers and ales, and enjoy beer that's got a kick to it (I can't stand weak beer!). Also, is it a good idea to add hops to the beer, even though the directions on some beer kits don't call for it? Any suggestions will help, thanks.

[YamahaXS]

probably an ale.

yeah, definitely add some hops. technically you don't need too, especially if you don't like hoppy beers, but hops are soooo goooooood IMO.

:D

[danno]

definitely an ale... ales ferment at room temperature, whereas lagers need pretty strict temperature controlling... I'd highly recommend browsing John Palmer's How To Brew (http://www.howtobrew.com/intro.html) and give it a read before starting your first batch....

[trickrick]

I just bought a red ale recipe kit from a brew store and the clerk set me up with 2 different hops additions for it. judging from thehome brew beer i have tasted extra hops add some thing you can't get from a a plain extract. GL

[BucksBrew]

Danno, I guess I picked the wrong beer to start off with as my first beer! Pilsner Urquell Lager! It is taking alot longer than anticipated. Temperature control has been tricky. I've had to put plastic freezer blocks around beer to keep cool on the warmer days lately! I don't let them touch the carboy, except on top. I have several positioned around carboy to keep overall temp in range!

I have to admit this site has been helpful with the very basic advice, which is much appreciated.

[danno]

Bucks, that's quite a challenge for your first brew... Lagers generally require cold aging of several months to fully ferment and to smooth out the flavors, at least that's what I've read. I've been brewing for almost two years and have yet to do a lager due to the temperature and aging requirements... (i'm too impatient, I guess.... :cool: )

Bazooka, I'd highly recommend visiting several either Local homebrew shops, or any of the myriad of online shops there are, and look through their kits to see what you may want to try. My guess is you're doing an unhopped kit in a can, there's a whole wide world of extract kits, don't limit yourself to just them... I live in a suburb of Mpls/St. Paul, we're blessed with two very good homebrew shops, Northern Brewer (http://www.northernbrewer.com/) and Midwest Supplies (http://www.midwestsupplies.com/) . They both have a very good selection of extract kits....

[BucksBrew]

Danno, I just told the wife to get me the kits for Xmas! What did I know! Now I know! That's for sure. haha I guess everything else from here on out should be a piece of cake then? Or until I start mashing!

I did taste it on Saturday during hydro reading. It tastes like beer! So I think I'm heading in the right direction.

I definitely will switch to an Ale yeast for the next batches! At least until I get an extra fridge. Or I can kick the kids milk out of ours! I don't think the wife will let me!

[mountain beer]

for your first beer, get a brew that will take the less fermentation time as possible. I found it really hard to wait for my first beer to be done. I wanted to drink it as fast as I could. I would go with the Ale as it will not be as hard to ferment it. I think the lagers I've done took longer as they were fermenting at lower temps.

[daveyP]

I would strongly suggest that you try an ale first. Get an all extract kit for your first batch. I did an IPA kit from Williams Brewing first and it turned out great. These type of kits teach you the basics as far as kettle time, hop additions, and fermentation. I also suggest getting the liquid yeast if it is an option with the kit. A little more expensive but the finished product is worth it. Good luck and hoppy brewing........