I'm on a mission from god.... (Brewing the Perfect IPA) but I need help

[Taverner]

No, no orphanages to save...no dead comedians to serve speedballs to...

Just the holy mission of creating the absolutely perfect, delicious, mouthwarming and heartening India Pale Ale.

I have never brewed a beer in my life, although I've helped brewers a few times.

So...I bought myself "The Complete Joy of Homebrewing" since that worked for my mentor, it will work for me.



Now, these books always tell you to start with something easy, like a Lager or simple Pale Ale. NONSENSE! Why brew a few gallons of beer if you don't plan to drink them. I will only brew IPA's dammit, so my first beer will be an IPA. Three Floyds Dreadnaught, to be precise. I found the recipe online and having loved the beer so much, I want to replicate it.



It seems easy enough, once I find out what is meant by "entire yeast cake as a starter" and "pitching yeast."

Of course, if it comes out bad I will try again.

So...my question goes out to all the Homebrewers there. Any suggestions? Any tips?

[evlbstrd]

1. No. 1: Relax.

It's very simple.
As for yeast, you can get a liquid packet of Wyeast, smack it and let it puff up. Pitch it into the wort when it's cooled to 68-72° and aerate the shit out of it.

[Taverner]

2. I shall do that, however

What does it mean to pitch yeast? Is this just what you call adding yeast?

And mashing - is that when you boil the barley?

[evlbstrd]

3. That's what it is.

And racking is transferring the brew from vessel to vessel. It used to mean a whack to the nuts.

[Taverner]

5. And is mashing boiling the barley to get the malt out?

[evlbstrd]

8. If you're doing it on a stovetop

you steep the grains. Then sparge (rinse) with hot water to get the sugars out.

[Taverner]

9. I just have to read the book

[evlbstrd]

10. I have that book.

You'll get through it. Enjoy your IPA!
I'm sharing some of my homemade stout with co-workers right now.

[Beetwasher]

6. Yeesh, Let Me Walk You Through It (Amateur!)

First you get some yeast. Find a ballfield. Get on the pitchers mound, wind up and heave it over the plate. Seriously, what are you dense? :shrug:

[Taverner]

7. Well I did mention that I have never brewed beer before

And I am not familiar with the nomenclature.

[Beetwasher]

11. Just Make Sure You Use Fresh Yeast

I would recommend frequenting women's locker rooms w/ a paint scraper.

[qwertyMike]

4. Call Jesus

Water into wine Hey it's his Birthday soon

[GOPisEvil]

12. I'd go to your local homebrew suppy joint and chat them up.

That said, Alton Brown did an episode of Good Eats on homebrew. You might try to find that.

[BrotherBuzz]

13. The secret to a fine IPA is dry pitching your hops.

Some hops are needed in the brewing process for the bite, but you also need to dry pitch hops during the fermentation periods - both primary and secondary. Think Goulash - keep adding hops every few days until it starts to have the nose and taste you desire, but remember it's a goulash and you can't take it out if you overdo it.