Mr. Beer kit- Pale ale

**Ole** · April 11th, 2009, 08:44 PM

I got this from the woot deal last week.

The kit isn't commercial brewery quality, but it looks functional.

Followed the instructions: Started a batch tonight and it says it takes a week or two to finish, depending on the temperature in your fermenter.

I'll report back when it is done. This is my first try ever making home made beer.

BTW: The kit came with a coupon (buy one/get one free) for refill kits. So I ordered a "Cowboy ale" lager and a "Octoberfest Vienna" lager refill kit.

Who knows.

Maybe this will come out decent. I'm hopeful that it's not a huge waste of time.

**adragster7104** · April 12th, 2009, 09:47 AM

**Nova5** · April 17th, 2009, 05:47 PM

Started the brew today. We'll see how it goes. I have it hiding away in a cooler with the lid propped a bit open. thisway if it leeks its not going to make a mess where its a real pain.

The longest/annoying part was mixing the booster in with cold/room temp water. Sprinkle and mix constantly to avoid clumping.. avoid my ass. It clumps anyway even if you put finger tip pinches. So i had to heat the water a bit to warm tap water temps. I think next time I will use a blender on it. That will be a good vigorous stirring.

Same pale ale starter most got.

**adragster7104** · April 18th, 2009, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nova5

Started the brew today. We'll see how it goes. I have it hiding away in a cooler with the lid propped a bit open. thisway if it leeks its not going to make a mess where its a real pain.

The longest/annoying part was mixing the booster in with cold/room temp water. Sprinkle and mix constantly to avoid clumping.. avoid my ass. It clumps anyway even if you put finger tip pinches. So i had to heat the water a bit to warm tap water temps. I think next time I will use a blender on it. That will be a good vigorous stirring.

Same pale ale starter most got.

When is the booster(what exactly is the booster?) going in? After boil?

Depending on what stage you're at you don't want to be aerating the beer a lot.

**Nova5** · April 18th, 2009, 06:19 AM

Its a corn sugar + maltodextrin mix packet.

It is added pre-boil. Supposed to mix it into cold water. then boil and add the can'o'goo. It's the first step so oxgenation is expected from that point on until I cap the keg(not a real keg, just a plastic bucket lookalike).

**Ole** · April 18th, 2009, 11:57 PM

Mine is probably ready for bottling. It's been a week. They say when it's clear, it's ready. They also say to taste it. If it tastes like flat beer, it's ready for the bottling. If it tastes sweet, it's not done. I suppose that makes sense.

I'll probably bottle mine tomorrow.

That was a good idea to put it in a cooler. I'll have to try that with my next batch.

Didn't notice any leaks.

**adragster7104** · April 18th, 2009, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ole

Mine is probably ready for bottling. It's been a week. They say when it's clear, it's ready. They also say to taste it. If it tastes like flat beer, it's ready for the bottling. If it tastes sweet, it's not done. I suppose that makes sense.

I'll probably bottle mine tomorrow.

That was a good idea to put it in a cooler. I'll have to try that with my next batch.

Didn't notice any leaks.

Did your guys kit come with a hydrometer? Depending on the style yo ucan tell when fermentation is done by the hydrometer reading.

BTW Fermentation is usually done within 4-7 days

**adragster7104** · April 19th, 2009, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nova5

Its a corn sugar + maltodextrin mix packet.

It is added pre-boil. Supposed to mix it into cold water. then boil and add the can'o'goo. It's the first step so oxgenation is expected from that point on until I cap the keg(not a real keg, just a plastic bucket lookalike).

There's a difference with being exposed to air and being aerated. I'm not really sure how your system works....
With me I do an all grain, and I don't use extract. Before the boil I transfer the wort to the boil pot from my mash tun.....and I never let the beer splash or churn. From the boil pot to the carboy never splash or churn. The only time I aerate the beer is right before I pitch the yeast.

At any rate.....I wouldn't recommend using a blender.....you don't want to oxidize the beer. I would just add the packet and let the boil break the clumps down.

**Nova5** · April 19th, 2009, 06:24 AM

instructions only say to bring it to a boil and then remove. There isn't enough time for it to do anything there. It's just to get it hot enough to fully melt the liquid extract and mix it up.

**Ole** · April 19th, 2009, 06:09 PM

I put all mine into bottles today. I'll toss a couple in the fridge in a couple weeks and let you guys know how it came out. What was left in the keg smelled like beer, so: so far so good.

Hint: When you are santitizing the bottles, don't use the caps on the bottles until you fill them with the sugar and beer. You'd be better off saving a cup or so of the cleaner solution and soaking your caps in there. The caps have a seal on them that breaks once you use the cap. So my beers all have broken seals on the caps. More of an aesthetic thing, but next time i'll be saving my caps until the bottles are full of beer + 2.5 tsp of sugar.

Dragster: Can you delete or merge my thread that is similar? No need to have two threads running on the same kit.

**adragster7104** · April 19th, 2009, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ole

Dragster: Can you delete or merge my thread that is similar? No need to have two threads running on the same kit.

I would.....but I can only merge/delete in the Beer Forum

**Ole** · April 21st, 2009, 08:43 PM

So far so good. Nothing funky growing in my bottles. When I turn them upside down, you can see a foggy/heavy liquid that mixes with the rest of the wort. Kind of like when you add alcohol to water, the alcohol mixes with the water, but you can see it cascading down through the mix.

I'll probably toss a bottle of this in the fridge on Friday and try it Saturday or Sunday.

**adragster7104** · April 22nd, 2009, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ole

So far so good. Nothing funky growing in my bottles. When I turn them upside down, you can see a foggy/heavy liquid that mixes with the rest of the wort. Kind of like when you add alcohol to water, the alcohol mixes with the water, but you can see it cascading down through the mix.

I'll probably toss a bottle of this in the fridge on Friday and try it Saturday or Sunday.

The heavy liquid is more than likely left over yeast that is settling out. You really don't want to turn your bottles over and suspend the yeast again. Also, when you pour your beer in a glass, you don't want to pour the yeast into your glass.

**Nova5** · April 23rd, 2009, 07:19 AM

Why the merge of two independent experience threads?

Tomorrow marks day seven in the keg. Debating on allowing it to run another seven days or not before I bottle. Although I did just order more stuff from Mr.Beer. another keg, a few mixes. only the free one has that evil Booster. the others are extracts.

Whispering Wheat Weizenbier w/Golden Wheat UME
Octoberfest Vienna Lager w/Mellow Amber UME
St. Patrick's Irish Stout w/Booster™
Bavarian Dark Wheat - Recipe

And another keg... 2 at once. Hmmm. Haven't even finished the first (which typical ends up subpar anyway!) And I have ordered more crap. I think there is a spell put upon all home brew equipment.

**Nova5** · April 23rd, 2009, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adragster7104

Did your guys kit come with a hydrometer? Depending on the style yo ucan tell when fermentation is done by the hydrometer reading.

BTW Fermentation is usually done within 4-7 days

No Hydro's. Due to Mr Beer design there isn't enough protection when the lit is opened. alot of Co2 escapes. Non-Airlock type system.

**Nova5** · April 23rd, 2009, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ole

Mine is probably ready for bottling. It's been a week. They say when it's clear, it's ready. They also say to taste it. If it tastes like flat beer, it's ready for the bottling. If it tastes sweet, it's not done. I suppose that makes sense.

I'll probably bottle mine tomorrow.

That was a good idea to put it in a cooler. I'll have to try that with my next batch.

Didn't notice any leaks.

I saw a picture where someone had used Gorilla force and sealed the keg so tight that the airvents under the cap weren't able to do their job.... BOOM. it blew the lid apart and covered his storage location with a mess of beer goop. He had it set up so that if that did happen it was an easy cleanup. he used some metal foil on the inside of a cabinet of sorts. Thought it a wise idea to give it a contained blast chamber in case of unexpected violent reactions.

**adragster7104** · April 23rd, 2009, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nova5

No Hydro's. Due to Mr Beer design there isn't enough protection when the lit is opened. alot of Co2 escapes. Non-Airlock type system.

With a hydrometer you would take a reading after the boil, right before going into the fermentor, and then after fermentation, right before bottling. The former referring to Original Gravity and the latter being your Final Gravity.

Those two numbers give you an indication of how well the yeast is eating up all the sugars.

**Nova5** · April 23rd, 2009, 10:32 AM

Mr beer is a No-Boil. the water is brought to boil than immediately removed. Its only to assist in helping thin the syrup like can of extract mix with the water.

**adragster7104** · April 23rd, 2009, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nova5

Mr beer is a No-Boil. the water is brought to boil than immediately removed. Its only to assist in helping thin the syrup like can of extract mix with the water.

Do you pitch yeast at all, or just mix ingredients and then toss it in the "keg"?

**Ole** · April 23rd, 2009, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adragster7104

Do you pitch yeast at all, or just mix ingredients and then toss it in the "keg"?

The directions that come with the kit say to add the yeast to the keg after adding all ingredients to the keg. Then you're suppose to let it sit for 5 minutes, stir again, then put the lid on the keg.

**Ole** · April 23rd, 2009, 09:37 PM

...one of the nice things about making a batch of hootch is you don't have to worry about funky stuff because the alcohol (12-15-18%) wards off all the nasties pretty quickly.

**adragster7104** · April 23rd, 2009, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ole

...one of the nice things about making a batch of hootch is you don't have to worry about funky stuff because the alcohol (12-15-18%) wards off all the nasties pretty quickly.

**adragster7104** · April 23rd, 2009, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ole

The directions that come with the kit say to add the yeast to the keg after adding all ingredients to the keg. Then you're suppose to let it sit for 5 minutes, stir again, then put the lid on the keg.

Interesting. Next brew you guys do (if you have a hydrometer) would you mind taking a reading before you cap the keg? Then right before you bottle? I'd be curious as to what the readings are

**Ole** · April 23rd, 2009, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adragster7104

Interesting. Next brew you guys do (if you have a hydrometer) would you mind taking a reading before you cap the keg? Then right before you bottle? I'd be curious as to what the readings are

I have a hydro. I'm not sure it would float in the keg though. (the keg is pretty squat/short)

The kit is suppose to yield 3.7% ABV beer.

**Nova5** · April 25th, 2009, 06:34 AM

7 Days.. still a sweet taste to it. has a slight bite like beer is its moving along. Keg has no action on the top, bunch o'crud on the bottom.

**Ole** · April 25th, 2009, 02:16 PM

Nova, one more tip:

Don't rush the second ferment. I opened a bottle last night to try it. (after 5 days instead of 7)

The beer was still flat and you could taste the sugar in it. So I sorta wasted that whole bottle.

If I had it to do all over again, i'd give the second ferment at least 10 days before sampling.

**Nova5** · April 25th, 2009, 09:40 PM

Its still going to ride out another week in the keg. then to the bottles.

**Nova5** · April 30th, 2009, 06:23 PM

Into the bottles the beer went. I hooked a clear hose onto the spigot that was just long enough to contact the bottom of the 1L bottles.

Tomorrow i start the next batch. a Oktoberfest Vienna Lager w/ mellow amber.

**Ole** · April 30th, 2009, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nova5

Into the bottles the beer went. I hooked a clear hose onto the spigot that was just long enough to contact the bottom of the 1L bottles.

Tomorrow i start the next batch. a Oktoberfest Vienna Lager w/ mellow amber.

I'll probably crack one of the bottles open from my first batch this coming weekend. Hopefully, it will be done by then.

Why the hose?

**adragster7104** · April 30th, 2009, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ole

I'll probably crack one of the bottles open from my first batch this coming weekend. Hopefully, it will be done by then.

Why the hose?

Let us know how it came out

Actually a hose a good idea......The beer shouldn't splash at all. It's wise to use a hose put it at the bottom of the bottle and fill up that way.

**Nova5** · April 30th, 2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ole

I'll probably crack one of the bottles open from my first batch this coming weekend. Hopefully, it will be done by then.

Why the hose?

Fill from the bottom of the bottle. Plus it mixes the sugar very well as its constantly "stirring" at the base of the bottle.

**Nova5** · May 2nd, 2009, 09:29 AM

Hmmm... may have a bomb. One is much harder than all the others,it was the final bottle so it did pick up some of the crap from the bottom when I had to tilt the keg. Fortunately they're all in the cooler so if it goes off, any mess will be a minor annoyance.

**adragster7104** · May 2nd, 2009, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nova5

Hmmm... may have a bomb. One is much harder than all the others,it was the final bottle so it did pick up some of the crap from the bottom when I had to tilt the keg. Fortunately they're all in the cooler so if it goes off, any mess will be a minor annoyance.

**Nova5** · May 2nd, 2009, 11:56 AM

I need to buy a second cooler still so can run 2 batchs.

**Ole** · May 2nd, 2009, 01:59 PM

Well I guess it's done.

The taste is ok. I wouldn't buy this beer more than once from a store.

It kind of reminds me of regular Coors. Very little aftertaste. Also very little character once the original bite is over. I'll give the beer a 5. I'll give the experience a 7.

Next, I think i'll try the Cowboy Lager.

**Nova5** · May 2nd, 2009, 02:11 PM

Thats pretty much the opinion i'd seen all over for the supplied starter mix. the premiums are supposed to be good and the recipes as well.

**adragster7104** · May 2nd, 2009, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ole

Well I guess it's done.

The taste is ok. I wouldn't buy this beer more than once from a store.

It kind of reminds me of regular Coors. Very little aftertaste. Also very little character once the original bite is over. I'll give the beer a 5. I'll give the experience a 7.

Next, I think i'll try the Cowboy Lager.

Its always cool drinking something that you know you made

Next step: Bigger brew kit

Then on to all-grain brewing

**Nova5** · May 4th, 2009, 09:18 PM

Oktoberfest Vienna Lager w/ Mellow Amber UME is now in the fermenter in the second cooler.

No hydrometer yet. Maybe for the next one.

**adragster7104** · May 4th, 2009, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nova5

Oktoberfest Vienna Lager w/ Mellow Amber UME is now in the fermenter in the second cooler.

No hydrometer yet. Maybe for the next one.

inquiring minds want to know!! (ok, just me)

**Nova5** · May 4th, 2009, 09:47 PM

Yea just you. Send me yours. I'm a cheap bastard.

**Nova5** · May 4th, 2009, 09:58 PM

Unfortunatly while pouring the wort into the fermentor i spilled some.

Kill me not!

**Nova5** · May 4th, 2009, 10:29 PM

current temp 84deg f. It's ever so slowly dropping. using my grill remote thermo to watch it. its out of the cooler until its room temp.

**adragster7104** · May 4th, 2009, 10:59 PM

Once again, I'm not familiar with your kit.....but if your pitching yeast....that is way to high of a temp...you need to be around 70*

**adragster7104** · May 4th, 2009, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nova5

Yea just you. Send me yours. I'm a cheap bastard.

They're like 8 bucks....it would cost me more to send one of my spares!!

**Nova5** · May 4th, 2009, 11:25 PM

Hopefully the yeast survived the hot temp. i didn't notice the heat until to late.

**Nova5** · May 5th, 2009, 09:08 AM

its down to 76 degrees now. 72 is house temp.

**adragster7104** · May 5th, 2009, 06:24 PM

76 isn't bad.....the fermentation process is going to heat it up naturally

**Nova5** · May 7th, 2009, 03:09 PM

1 week carbing the WCPA: All bottles are very clear. Should i roll them a bit to wake up the yeast to continue working? or are they still at work?

**adragster7104** · May 7th, 2009, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nova5

1 week carbing the WCPA: All bottles are very clear. Should i roll them a bit to wake up the yeast to continue working? or are they still at work?

I wouldn't roll them....part of this stage is bottle conditioning and clearing. You want the yeast to settle and clear out from the beer.

**Nova5** · May 8th, 2009, 02:07 PM

Ok, thanks.

**Nova5** · May 16th, 2009, 07:36 PM

1 bottle of the WCPA is in the fridge today.

Bottled the Vienna Lager in 12oz coke bottles mostly. 1 20oz pepsi picked up the last of it. 2 weeks then I cool one of them.

**adragster7104** · May 17th, 2009, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nova5

1 bottle of the WCPA is in the fridge today.

Bottled the Vienna Lager in 12oz coke bottles mostly. 1 20oz pepsi picked up the last of it. 2 weeks then I cool one of them.

Taste it yet?

**Nova5** · May 17th, 2009, 06:20 PM

Nope. Will in a bit. Pizza just got ordered.

**Nova5** · May 17th, 2009, 07:33 PM

nice drinkable beer. better than bud and its ilk. Bass Pale is a bit better.

**Nova5** · June 3rd, 2009, 06:50 PM

The Vienna Lager came out nicely.

**adragster7104** · June 3rd, 2009, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nova5

The Vienna Lager came out nicely.

**Nova5** · August 16th, 2009, 09:32 AM

Interestingly the pale ale is better now than it was before. Needed time to really mature in the bottle.

BTW... Adragster... I think i'm hooked. Time to step up! maybe skip extract and right to AG. I also have several Mr. Beer kits to finish out.

**adragster7104** · August 16th, 2009, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nova5

Interestingly the pale ale is better now than it was before. Needed time to really mature in the bottle.

BTW... Adragster... I think i'm hooked. Time to step up! maybe skip extract and right to AG. I also have several Mr. Beer kits to finish out.

I only did one extract brew myself......after that I stepped it up.

I'm glad that I did that one extract though......AG is a much more involved process....Doing that one extract really helped with all the basic steps.

You can start off with a partial mash......which would be using an extract and then steeping some specialty grains to add to it

**Nova5** · August 16th, 2009, 10:51 AM

?

!? No.. very !

. Expensive prospect! Ahhwell. with fun money comin for fixing some PC's I have 450 bucks to start.

**adragster7104** · August 16th, 2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nova5

?

!? No.. very !

. Expensive prospect! Ahhwell. with fun money comin for fixing some PC's I have 450 bucks to start.

Nice

Let me know if you need any help or anything