So I started brewing last night and as I was cleaning everything up, I realized I forgot to get any pictures. Maybe next time. Anyway, here's how it went down (after sterilizing everything, of course): (oh and I apologize ahead of time if I'm not using correct terminology)
I got out my brewing kettle and stared at it for a while as I tried to figure out how to measure two gallons into it. I then decided to grab a pitcher that is graduated in quarts (as well as oz.) and I added two gallons of water 2 quarts at a time (four quarts in a gallon times two gallons divided by two quarts in a pitcher = four pitchers, eh?). Anyway, I heated the water up to 145°F using my gas stove. I poured my grains into the cheesecloth bag that came with my recipe kit, placed the bag in the water (like a giant teabag) and let it sit for about 25 minutes (with an occasional poke or jab from my long plastic spoon, which later broke). I pulled the bag out and squeesed out as much liquid as I could.
I got the water boiling and using some of the cheesecloth bag that I cut off, I tied off each end after filling it with my hops and threw 'em in for 45 minutes. Following this, I removed the bag, filled my sink with ice and a bit of water, and placed my kettle of wort in for chilling. At this point, I added the rest of my hops. Now, when I boiled my first set of hops, I noticed the bag was quite swollen and I figured that perhaps the hops needed more space to expand, so I just dumped my aroma hops in sans bag (because I figured they would be filtered out by the strainer anyway.
While waiting for the wort to cool, I went downstairs and added 3 gallons (twelve quarts, or six pitchers) of cold water to my 6 1/2 gallon glass carboy.
Once the wort had cooled a while, I boiled a bit of water and started letting it cool so I could use it to activate my dry yeast (this took longer than expected and next time I'll have to start that step sooner). I took the kettle downstairs and attempted to strain it into the carboy. I had a stainless steel strainer placed on top of a funnel containing a smaller strainer. Now, I figured this would work pretty efficiently. However, it didn't take much to clog both strainers (next time, bag the hops, man!). I had to stir the wort in the funnel to get it to go down and after each funnel full, I rinsed off both strainers with hot water and at one point, I even got my hand in the way of the pouring wort (I had just washed my hands prior to this step, so hopefully there wasn't too much contamination).
By this time it was getting pretty late and the water for my yeast was only down to 50°F (the package suggested a narrow 38° to 40°F) despite being in the fridge, so I just went with it. After letting the yeast sit for fifteen minutes, I pitched it, threw on my airlock and hit the sack.
When I went down for a look this morning, nothing exciting had happened except the cap to my airlock was on the floor (I didn't press it on tight, becuase I don't see how gas could escape if its sealed) so I know there has been some activity.
I guess now I just hurry up and wait.

michaellasalle

"If you can count your money, you don't have a billion dollars." -Jean Paul Getty

I'm told that I received my first recipe kit in the mail today. The bière du jour is Hex Nut Brown Ale. I don't think that I'll start brewing yet tonight. I'll probably read a bit and watch the video that came with my equipment for a refresher. Perhaps when I start the brew, I'll get some pictures and give a play-by-play in the ol' blog. We'll have to wait and see how much time I've got.

michaellasalle

Quick Update

I purchased a book that is actually a pretty good read. Its very interesting, has lots of information and is divided for beginner, intermediate and advanced brewers. I'm almost halfway through, but I decided to start ordering equipment anyway. I went online to start looking at prices and ended up purchasing a starter package from a relatively local company.
I'm going on vacation next week, so I don't want to start brewing just yet. I still need to order ingredients and I'd like to read a bit more, but I don't think I want to get into the advanced section until I actually try brewing once or twice, so that perhaps I can relate more to whats going on.
Also, at this point it is looking as though I may or may not take the A&P classes this fall. Dad thinks I should go for it while I'm still pretty young, but I'm losing motivation (perhaps due to all of my excitement for brewing).

michaellasalle