Batch #1 Update

So, I think I may have mentioned that my first batch turned out good except that it seemed a little low on carbonation. Well I recently went to give a family member a couple bottles, and when I was handing them to him I saw some hardened white residue. Sediment is normal in home brew but this seemed off. It turned out to be undissolved sugar. The sugar is added in the bottling process so that the yeast in the bottles has something to eat which then in turn creates the carbonation that we're used to. So since the sugars weren't dissolved, the yeast couldn't eat and hence a low carbonated beer. So at least I know why I was low on bubbles. I just need to make sure that doesn't happen again.

Brief note on Batch #2. I'll be bottling this weekend, so I'll make sure all sugars are dissolved.

Batch #2 update

Nothing exciting for this update. This weekend I moved Batch #2 from its primary fermenter to a secondary fermenter. I thought about moving it straight to the bottles, but something in me wants me to still do it. So I did. I'll let it sit there for two weeks before bottling. The beer's looking good though.

Cracked open Batch #1

Well this weekend I opened up my first batch, a red ale similar to Smithwicks. My early morning sample glass did not seem to taste right, I thought it was a little flat. But when I opened the bottles a little later with some friends, everything tasted great. A success!! I think I just wasn't in the proper state of mind when I took the first sample.

So good, it looks like I'll be able to keep going. This next weekend, my fermentation on Batch #2 should be complete so I'll decide then if I'll ferment a second time or put it straight to bottles. Maybe I'll experiment and try both with this batch to see if it really makes a difference.