N00B With Questions

[Thirdrail]

Hi all..i just recently got into homebrewing and as i type this a brew kit with keggin set-up is on its way to my house..i've done one batch with a cheap Mr. Beer kit i got for Christmas and although the kit was iffy at best it served it's purpose to get me more interested in home brewing....being new to this naturally i have many questions and concers..maybe some more experienced members wouldn't mind clearing some of this up?
1) what is meant by 'mashing'?
2) what is meant by 'sparging'?
looking around this site i have seen pics and heard mention of 3 tier system, what is this?

the kit i ordered does included an instructional video (yeah i know it sounds hokey) and i'm hoping this will help but any insight you guys can offer up would be greatly appreciated..thanks

[BrewDog]

Welcome to the site and the hobby-

Check out this site:www.howtobrew.com (http://www.howtobrew.com). It is essentially an online book on home brewing. It is a great place for you to start your journey to making great beer.

HTH-

[Grog]

Originally posted by Thirdrail
1) what is meant by 'mashing'?
2) what is meant by 'sparging'?
looking around this site i have seen pics and heard mention of 3 tier system, what is this?

the kit i ordered does included an instructional video (yeah i know it sounds hokey) and i'm hoping this will help but any insight you guys can offer up would be greatly appreciated..thanks

Mashing is the process of mixing water with grains at a certain temperature to convert the grain's starch into fermentable (and non fermentable) sugars.

Sparging takes place after mashing is complete and is essentailly rinsing the grains of most of the sugars. This becomes your wort.

A three tier system is typically a gravity fed system consisting of (from highest to lowest piece) a Hot Liquor (water) tank, a Mash/Lautering tun, and the Kettle.

This is the briefest explanation possible and BrewDog's link is arguably the best online guide to brewing.

[mmmBeer...]

If you ordered the kit from midwest, the video isn't bad...pretty basic but that is what it is meant for.

[HogieWan]

You won't need to mash or sparge as I assume you're doing a kit with extracts.

The mashing and sparging have already been done and the "wort" produced is condensed to syrup or powder (the extract) which you will add to your brew pot.

[toneyc]

But basically, mashing, sparging, and three-tier aren't things you'll need to worry about until you go all-grain. If you are starting out with extract kits, you'll have plenty of time to learn more.

:)
Toney.