Embarking on the adventure of brewing my first batch of beer was a journey filled with excitement, challenges, and ultimately, a sense of accomplishment. Armed with the Jim Baumann's Milk Stout Grain Beer Brewing Kit from MoreBeer, the Anvil Foundry 10.5 240v all-in-one brewing system, and a Fermonster 7-gallon plastic fermenter, I delved into the world of home brewing. Join me as I share the highs, lows, and valuable lessons learned from this brewing escapade.
The Setup:
Assembling the Anvil Foundry 10.5 and setting up the brewing space was the initial step in my home brewing odyssey. The compact and efficient design of the Anvil Foundry made the process accessible for a beginner like myself. The anticipation was palpable as I prepared to create my own version of Jim Baumann's Milk Stout.
Brew Day:
I don't yet have a grain mill, so I ordered the kit with the grains pre-crushed. I started the brewing process by mashing in all the grains, unlocking their unique flavors and aromas. The Anvil Foundry's temperature control capabilities ensured a precise extraction, setting the stage for a flavorful brew. I have always loved the smell of grains. Whether it was the feed mill we visited weekly as a kid, or walking into a local brew pub on brew day. The smells coming from the Anvil were no exception.
After the mash was complete, I lifted the grain basket and squeezed the grains like they owed me money to get every last drop of wort I could get. Then the Anvil Foundry quickly brought my wort to a boil. I almost missed the hot break. That would have been a sticky disaster! My first hop addition was tossed into the kettle and a timer was set for 45 minutes. With 15 minutes left of the boil, my final hop addition was added and the immersion chiller was added to the kettle to allow it to be sanitized. When the 60 minutes were up, the immersion chiller made quick work of cooling the wort to around 85 degrees. At that point, I transferred the wort into the fermenter and pitched the yeast.
Fermentation in the Fermonster:
The Fermonster 7-gallon plastic fermenter played a pivotal role in the fermentation process. Its transparency allowed me to witness the vigorous activity of the yeast, turning sweet wort into beer. The large capacity allowed for plenty of head space (no blow-off tube necessary), and it was light enough to move around. I just wrapped it up in a few beach towels and put it in the corner of our extra bedroom for a week.
Bottling and Beyond:
Bottling day marked the culmination of weeks of anticipation. The recommended amount of corn sugar was added and a combination of 12 and 22 oz bottles where used because I'm not quite to the point of a keg/draft system just yet. As I carefully filled each bottle, the realization of creating my own handcrafted beer was both satisfying and humbling.
Tasting the Results:
The moment of truth arrived as I cracked open the first bottle of my home-brewed Jim Baumann's Milk Stout. The beer poured with a rich, dark hue and a modest tan head. The flavor profile was surprisingly complex, with notes of roasted malt, chocolate, and a subtle sweetness. The journey from the Anvil Foundry to the Fermonster had yielded a unique brew that reflected my brewing experience.
Lessons Learned:
Despite careful planning and execution, my brewing journey encountered a roadblock – low efficiency. This hiccup resulted in a lower-than-expected alcohol by volume (ABV) of 3.4%. While initially disheartening, this challenge became an opportunity to learn and refine my brewing skills for future batches. I hear this may not be all that uncommon using the Foundry. I'm sure I'll get it dialed in!
One other crucial lesson learned during this brewing endeavor was the importance of filtering hops during the transfer to the fermenter. The presence of vegetal flavors in the young beer served as a reminder that even small details matter in the brewing process. Going forward, I resolved to implement filtration methods to ensure a cleaner and more refined brew.
Conclusion:
Brewing my first batch of beer with Jim Baumann's Milk Stout Grain Beer Brewing Kit, the Anvil Foundry 10.5, and the Fermonster 7-gallon plastic fermenter was a rollercoaster of discovery. The challenges encountered, especially the low efficiency and vegetal flavors, became valuable lessons that will guide my future brewing endeavors. As I savor each sip of my handcrafted creation, I'm reminded that the journey of home brewing is not just about the destination – it's about the lessons learned, the skills gained, and the joy found in every bottle. Here's to the next batch and the continued pursuit of brewing excellence!