TOPIC:

Hello everyone. I've only realised there's an "introductions" thread so I thought I'd better pop my head around the door and say hello.

I've been kit brewing for a year and a half now, with some pretty decent results. I'm currently on my 6th extract batch however and I'm enjoying the creativity (and endless research) that comes with "designing" my own beers. I got into this homebrewing lark because of my love for hoppy American ales and I was starting to get a bit frustrated with the hit & miss results I was getting from modding kits. The problem with kits is that you just don't know what goes into them, so it's challenging to modify them and predict the end result with accuracy. I also realised I was getting better results when dry-hopping, steeping grains and using premium yeast (not kit yeast). So kit brewing was proving to be a lot more expensive than it should be, hence my switch to extract.

Having said that, I've had more successes than disappointments and got some really nice beer out of it. (I'd recommend the Coopers Pale Ale kit, dry-hopped with plenty of Cascade to any homebrewer, whether they do kits, extract or AG.)

I've used the Beoir guides to kit and extract brewing since I started the hobby, as well as lurking on the forums. I've learnt an awful lot from Beoir to help me improve my beers, so thank you all.

My next big projects are moving to full boils, then setting up a corny system. After that, BIAB/AG, but I really don't have time for the longer brewdays at the moment. A 2 or 3 hour brewday is the most I can manage at the moment.

Loving your work.
Sláinte,

Paddy.

Welcome to the site, Paddy.

I think Bray is fast becoming the home brewing epicenter of Ireland <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->

Welcome all, even those not from Bray <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: -->

Hi Folks. My Name is Pat, I live in Ennis, I made Cider 2 years ago, It turned out great,

Lived in the UK and enjoyed the CAMRA festivals very much, New to brewing beer but keen to learn. Have a 3 Kg kit on the go, but sadly did I not hydrate the yeast Reading the sad kit instructions I just sprinkled it into the wort - After 1 week fermentation appears to be very very slow - Gravity is 1.018 (Did not measure OG <!-- s:oops: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_redface.gif" alt="" title="Embarassed" /><!-- s:oops: --> <!-- s:oops: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_redface.gif" alt="" title="Embarassed" /><!-- s:oops: --> It has been sitting at 20' - 22' for the week
Is there hope for this batch - What should I do - Any advice most welcome

Welcome to the site.
As regards hydrating your dry yeast packet I would not worry to much about that,also do not get to hung up on what your finishing gravity will be. Once the yeast has stopped for 24 to 48 hours that is it. 1018 will leave some sugars in the beer and will give it more body as well. The packets often talk about 1006 but that is only a guide and makes a beer thin on body.

Hi Pat,

I'm from Ennis too, welcome on board!

John