Yep, I'm signed-up on HomeBrewTalk as Airrageous (my vanilla alias). Good site.

I just bottled my first batch last night. I noticed a half-dollar size spot of mold floating on top in the glass carboy (secondary), So I figured I better siphon it out from under the mold and get it into the bottles. I'm just a few days early anyway. It taste fine so I hope I'm still OK.

I want to try a lighter brew next time. Some friends are asking for something like Corona or Michelob. IMHO they have no clue what good beer should look and taste like, oh well. I really like the dark stout ales myself.

I have had good results making 'American Cream Ale' from the 'Brewer's Best' kit. It is simple...{Extract Malt, Dry Malt, Bittering & Finishing Hops, and Dry Yeast} and has earned me complimentsfrom friends. This is the kit that was recommended to me as a good starting point.

I use kits often but now spend the extra money for a liquid yeast culture that is appropriate for the style I am brewing.

BTW---I found a great homebrew forum! It is HomebrewTalk(dot)com. Plenty of good information!

--B

Thanks mjrvoya, Already looked at the John Palmer book online and "The Joy of HomeBrewing" came with my equipment kit. I did get the message on sanitation and hopefully did all that correctly. I will check the other sites.

The local HB supply store recommeded a Brown Ale pre-hopped extract for my first attempt and it is fermenting now and seems to be just fine. I will rack it to secondary next weekend and start something else in the primary. Any suggestions for my 2nd batch?

CLEANLINESS CLEANLINESS CLEANLINESS! Anything that touches the wort must be sanitized. Use Iodophor as a sanitizer. B-Brite makes an excellent cleaner.

Here is an EXCELLENT FREE online book.

website --> HowToBrew (dot) Com

I also recommend getting and Immersion Chiller to cool the wort quickly. This has a couple of benefits that you can read about in the Online Book.

Also google "The Jamil Show" which is hosted on the Brewers Network. An excellent podcast for BeerMaking discussion. Covers one style per show.

--Mr mjrvoya

Cool, I hope he is enjoying some brew around the campfire or fireplace on his trip.

Got my first batch cooked up yesterday. 5 gallons of Northern England Brown Ale. It is in the primary fermenter now and seems to be doing fine so far.

My hubby brews beer, he is right now away on a hunting weekend. When he gets back I will see if I can get him to post some tips for you

Mrs. Voya

Any home brewers out there? Any suggestions for a newbie brewer.

I just bought a brew kit and will cook up my first batch this weekend. The hard part is having to wait so long to enjoy it.