Brewing Master

Question:

I bought five gallons of Ozarka "drinking water." Do I still need to boil this water or is it clean enough to use "as is?"

Bottled water is not necessarily any safter than tap water. 2. I’m a little unclear on how to get my first hydromoter reading. I understand to wait until the temperature is between 68 and 78 degrees. But do I just pick up the carboy and pour into the hydrometer flask or should I use a siphon?

You need a ‘wine theif’ or a turkey baster that has never been used for turkey or meat. cheers, -Alan

Response:

says… 2. I’m a little unclear on how to get my first hydromoter reading. I understand to wait until the temperature is between 68 and 78 degrees. But do I just pick up the carboy and pour into the hydrometer flask or should I use a siphon?

Don’t bother with a wine thief, or siphon. Just tip the carboy and pour into a glass. It’s easier if your carboy has a handle on it, but it’s easy enough without one.

Response:

I have some siphoning questions. The "siphoning treatise" in Papazian says to fill the siphon full of water to start it. Is that so you don’t contaminate the beer with your mouth? Yes that too, but mainly I think it’s just an easy way to start a siphon.

Stick with the water technique, its not that hard, and reduces your chance of infection. And if you start it with water, do you point it into a waste bucket until beer is flowing and then into the hydrometer flask? I wouldn’t use a water filled siphon tube to get a hydrometer reading. I use a huge turkey baster – you know what I mean? (rubber container on the end of a plastic tube)

I use my bottling wand.  You can also go out and get a wine thief. Ted

Response:

I have some siphoning questions. The "siphoning treatise" in Papazian I use my bottling wand.  You can also go out and get a wine thief. Ted

Duh… How come I never thought of that? Curtis —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

Poverty is the mother of innovation. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have some siphoning questions. The "siphoning treatise" in Papazian I use my bottling wand.  You can also go out and get a wine thief. Ted Duh… How come I never thought of that? Curtis —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

I have some siphoning questions. The "siphoning treatise" in Papazian says to fill the siphon full of water to start it. Is that so you don’t contaminate the beer with your mouth? Yes that too, but mainly I think it’s just an easy way to start a siphon. And if you start it with water, do you point it into a waste bucket until beer is flowing and then into the hydrometer flask? I wouldn’t use a water filled siphon tube to get a hydrometer reading. I use a huge turkey baster – you know what I mean? (rubber container on the end of a plastic tube)

*Light bulb comes on over Don’s head* OK, that’s a sensible idea for hydrometer readings and I guess for temp readings. I’ll have to get one. I used water in the siphon and it worked like a champ FWIW. — Don Tejas

Response:

I have some siphoning questions. The "siphoning treatise" in Papazian says to fill the siphon full of water to start it. Is that so you don’t contaminate the beer with your mouth?

Yes that too, but mainly I think it’s just an easy way to start a siphon. And if you start it with water, do you point it into a waste bucket until beer is flowing and then into the hydrometer flask?

I wouldn’t use a water filled siphon tube to get a hydrometer reading. I use a huge turkey baster – you know what I mean? (rubber container on the end of a plastic tube) And if it’s full of water, can some get into the wort?

That small amount of water will not affect (or effect) the wort or the finished beer. Relax, don’t worry, have a homebrew! I appreciate everyone’s thoughtful advice as I make my way through these first hours of brewing.

No problem, that’s why we’re here!

Response:

Thanks for the advice. It’s a kit — Cooper’s Australian Light Lager in a can and two pounds of Laaglander light dried malt extract. The shop owner said the Cooper’s kit is really an ale, which is good for me since everything I’ve read tells me I couldn’t possibly make a real lager right now. But if my first go around is drinkable, I’ll be very happy. I have some siphoning questions. The "siphoning treatise" in Papazian says to fill the siphon full of water to start it. Is that so you don’t contaminate the beer with your mouth? And if you start it with water, do you point it into a waste bucket until beer is flowing and then into the hydrometer flask? And if it’s full of water, can some get into the wort? I appreciate everyone’s thoughtful advice as I make my way through these first hours of brewing. — Don Tejas – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I don’t know much about the water you plan to use but I do not pre boil my tap water and have never had a problem. If you want to play it safe, go ahead and do it. It sure isn’t going to hurt anything and is certain to kill any bacteria that will absoultley ruin your beer. I use a racking cane to suck some of the wort out for hydrometer readings. Just be sure that what ever touches your unfermented beer is EXTREMELY clean and sanitary. Sanitize with bleach/water solution and rinse very well with hot water. I suck some up the cane (or hose) and put my thumb over the end (the end my mouth was on)  and then let it drain it into my flask. This is repeated until the flask is full. What kind of beer are you making? Is it from a kit? Hi. I’m getting ready for my first brew tomorrow. I have two newbie questions: 1.The instructions from the homebrewing shop say the night before I should boil three gallons of water and cool in sanitized containers in the fridge. I bought five gallons of Ozarka "drinking water." Do I still need to boil this water or is it clean enough to use "as is?" 2. I’m a little unclear on how to get my first hydromoter reading. I understand to wait until the temperature is between 68 and 78 degrees. But do I just pick up the carboy and pour into the hydrometer flask or should I use a siphon? Sorry if a messed up on any terminology and thanks for any help. — Don Tejas

Response:

My tips, ha ha ha.  This is all stuff I’ve picked up here.  Don’t be surprised if someone corrects what I’ve said.  And, assume they have more experience than I do. Ed – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks for the fast and detailed response, Ed. All of your assumptions were correct and I will use all of your tips. I’m getting a head start on appeasing the brewing gods already — Don Tejas

Response:

I don’t know much about the water you plan to use but I do not pre boil my tap water and have never had a problem. If you want to play it safe, go ahead and do it. It sure isn’t going to hurt anything and is certain to kill any bacteria that will absoultley ruin your beer. I use a racking cane to suck some of the wort out for hydrometer readings. Just be sure that what ever touches your unfermented beer is EXTREMELY clean and sanitary. Sanitize with bleach/water solution and rinse very well with hot water. I suck some up the cane (or hose) and put my thumb over the end (the end my mouth was on)  and then let it drain it into my flask. This is repeated until the flask is full. What kind of beer are you making? Is it from a kit?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi. I’m getting ready for my first brew tomorrow. I have two newbie questions: 1.The instructions from the homebrewing shop say the night before I should boil three gallons of water and cool in sanitized containers in the fridge. I bought five gallons of Ozarka "drinking water." Do I still need to boil this water or is it clean enough to use "as is?" 2. I’m a little unclear on how to get my first hydromoter reading. I understand to wait until the temperature is between 68 and 78 degrees. But do I just pick up the carboy and pour into the hydrometer flask or should I use a siphon? Sorry if a messed up on any terminology and thanks for any help. — Don Tejas

Response:

Thanks for the fast and detailed response, Ed. All of your assumptions were correct and I will use all of your tips. I’m getting a head start on appeasing the brewing gods already — Don Tejas – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -1.  I don’t know about "Ozarka".  I did a short web search and apparently it is owned by Perrier and franchised out so the water could come from anywhere.  My bet is that if it is clean enough to sell as bottled drinking water, it is clean enough to use in beer.  I wouldn’t boil it…  but then I use unboiled tap water here in Baltimore, MD. I’ve never had a problem. 2.  Yes.  Although, I’d bet it would be easier (and possible) to just tip the carboy over to pour it in the cylinder.  That carboy will be heavy when it’s full. As an answer to both questions…  make sure you agitate and aerate as much as possible to suspend oxygen in the wort.  If the water is boiled (a home or at the bottling plant) oxygen is driven out of the water. The yeast need the oxygen to get started.  The other thing is to avoid "stratification" (I love these big words we get to use in brewing, grin) which could lead to false sg readings. I assume (and I apologize if I’m wrong) this is an extract brew.  The syrupy extract is heavier than water and can settle to a layer beneath the water if not thoroughly mixed.  I’m also assuming (since it is a first batch) that you don’t have an aerator or oxygenator (a fish tank air pump or an oxygenation stone)…  not a problem.  Just shake the living crap out of the filled carboy so air is moving through the liquid.  Use common sense and cover the opening with your hand or put the airlock in so the wort doesn’t splash all over the place. Foremost, many a batch (including several of mine) have been made doing much less than this and they came out as good to great drinkable beers. Another thing is to keep a log…  times, temps, everything you can think of.  You’ll want to have notes to refer back to in case you want to duplicate the batch (or things you’ll want to avoid or change if it isn’t perfect.)  The last thing, and I know how difficult this is… don’t sweat it.  It is a few bucks worth of stuff and you can replace it.  You’ll learn from doing it even if it isn’t perfect.  It is supposed to be FUN.   Good luck tomorrow…  have a couple cold ones to appease the brewing spirits that will be watching over you.  (grin) Ed Hi. I’m getting ready for my first brew tomorrow. I have two newbie questions: 1.The instructions from the homebrewing shop say the night before I should boil three gallons of water and cool in sanitized containers in the fridge. I bought five gallons of Ozarka "drinking water." Do I still need to boil this water or is it clean enough to use "as is?" 2. I’m a little unclear on how to get my first hydromoter reading. I understand to wait until the temperature is between 68 and 78 degrees. But do I just pick up the carboy and pour into the hydrometer flask or should I use a siphon? Sorry if a messed up on any terminology and thanks for any help. — Don Tejas

Response:

1.  I don’t know about "Ozarka".  I did a short web search and apparently it is owned by Perrier and franchised out so the water could come from anywhere.  My bet is that if it is clean enough to sell as bottled drinking water, it is clean enough to use in beer.  I wouldn’t boil it…  but then I use unboiled tap water here in Baltimore, MD.  I’ve never had a problem. 2.  Yes.  Although, I’d bet it would be easier (and possible) to just tip the carboy over to pour it in the cylinder.  That carboy will be heavy when it’s full. As an answer to both questions…  make sure you agitate and aerate as much as possible to suspend oxygen in the wort.  If the water is boiled (a home or at the bottling plant) oxygen is driven out of the water.  The yeast need the oxygen to get started.  The other thing is to avoid "stratification" (I love these big words we get to use in brewing, grin) which could lead to false sg readings. I assume (and I apologize if I’m wrong) this is an extract brew.  The syrupy extract is heavier than water and can settle to a layer beneath the water if not thoroughly mixed.  I’m also assuming (since it is a first batch) that you don’t have an aerator or oxygenator (a fish tank air pump or an oxygenation stone)…  not a problem.  Just shake the living crap out of the filled carboy so air is moving through the liquid.  Use common sense and cover the opening with your hand or put the airlock in so the wort doesn’t splash all over the place. Foremost, many a batch (including several of mine) have been made doing much less than this and they came out as good to great drinkable beers.  Another thing is to keep a log…  times, temps, everything you can think of.  You’ll want to have notes to refer back to in case you want to duplicate the batch (or things you’ll want to avoid or change if it isn’t perfect.)  The last thing, and I know how difficult this is…  don’t sweat it.  It is a few bucks worth of stuff and you can replace it.  You’ll learn from doing it even if it isn’t perfect.  It is supposed to be FUN.   Good luck tomorrow…  have a couple cold ones to appease the brewing spirits that will be watching over you.  (grin) Ed – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi. I’m getting ready for my first brew tomorrow. I have two newbie questions: 1.The instructions from the homebrewing shop say the night before I should boil three gallons of water and cool in sanitized containers in the fridge. I bought five gallons of Ozarka "drinking water." Do I still need to boil this water or is it clean enough to use "as is?" 2. I’m a little unclear on how to get my first hydromoter reading. I understand to wait until the temperature is between 68 and 78 degrees. But do I just pick up the carboy and pour into the hydrometer flask or should I use a siphon? Sorry if a messed up on any terminology and thanks for any help. — Don Tejas

Response:

Hi. I’m getting ready for my first brew tomorrow. I have two newbie questions: 1.The instructions from the homebrewing shop say the night before I should boil three gallons of water and cool in sanitized containers in the fridge. I bought five gallons of Ozarka "drinking water." Do I still need to boil this water or is it clean enough to use "as is?" 2. I’m a little unclear on how to get my first hydromoter reading. I understand to wait until the temperature is between 68 and 78 degrees. But do I just pick up the carboy and pour into the hydrometer flask or should I use a siphon? Sorry if a messed up on any terminology and thanks for any help. — Don Tejas

Response: