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I am just starting out with homebrewing and I decided for my first batch to use an extract kit from http://www.ontariobeerkegs.com. For my first batch I figured I would follow the instructions to a T. http://www.ontariobeerkegs.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/3gal%20-%20american%20ipa.pdf. I ended up with a very cloudy wort. The instructions however, did not mention anything about filtering or straining and i simply poured my cooled kettle of wort into the fermentation bucket, and sprinkled the dry yeast on top as instructed on the package of yeast.

This was a couple days ago, the airlock is bubbling like crazy (so I assume it's fermenting alright) but after finishing up I was a little unsure of the process that I just completed and I looked up some more details. Mainly to either strain the wort or do the "whirlpool" to leave out much of the gunk. Also i looked up more detailed instructions for the yeast (US-05), that said I should re-hydrate the yeast prior to pitching.

Now i'm worried that I've done something wrong and the beer wont turn out. I guess the only way to know for sure is to wait a few weeks before bottling.

Additional question: Will it be possible to clarify the beer at the bottling phase or will I be stuck with a cloudy beer. I assume most of the residue will settle and I will be incredibly careful not to disturb during transfer to bottling bucket.

Thanks

James

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  • Here is a fun fact @Gingerbeardman; the more you brew and the more you learn, the more you will go "wow! I should be doing this in a different/better way". This progression of "doing it better next time" is what leads more home breweries to go from a pot and a bucket to a system with pumps and tubes and a good collection of scientific looking jugs! :) Your beer should be fine. Enjoy the process, learn and make better beer each time. :)
    – Atron Seige
    Jun 9, 2015 at 10:57

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It's not the end of the world if you don't re-hydrate the yeast.

The sediment will settle out over the next couple of weeks.

Don't worry, the beer will be fine.

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  • Thanks, I think i just needed to hear it from someone else to settle my nerves a bit. Thanks
    – Gingerbeardman
    Jun 8, 2015 at 18:23
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    I would add that the fact that you had a lot of initial activity is a sign that you've already got a successful, drinkable beer. All the stuff after that point doesn't really "ruin" it, just are opportunities to improve the beer by clarification, aging, bottling...etc
    – daniella
    Jun 8, 2015 at 19:28
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From what you've said, I see no reason to worry. You said that you followed the instruction to the letter. That's what you're supposed to do.

Now, your cloudiness issue: I'm going to assume that you like your beer cold. After you've bottled your beer (be sure to use the included priming sugar), and allowed the 2 week carbonation time, you'll put the bottles into the refrigerator to get cold. Here's what's going to happen next... you're going to pour the cold beer into a glass carefully, leaving the last 1/8" of beer in to bottom of the bottle. Then you're going to enjoy it. It will be clear, unless wheat was in the recipe.

TL;DR Continue following the instructions and enjoy the beer that you made. In fact, after you've enjoyed the first one, invite a friend over and the 2 of you can enjoy a beer together.

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