Day 2: It's Alive!

Wednesday, February 25th, 2009:

I checked on my beer machine about 9:45 this morning, and it's looking good so far. A thin, maybe quarter-inch layer of foam had appeared on top of the water, and the meter was showing a reading of 11 PSI so far.

Another peek after class, about 1pm. The meter's up to about 15 PSI now, which the instructions listed as the normal maximum operating pressure. This is when the PCV (Pressure Control Valve) is supposed to begin releasing excess CO2 produced by the fermentation. I poured a bit of water onto the cap, as it says to do in the book. I start watching for the bubbles rising up through the water out of the PCV, but nothing yet.

By 1:30pm the pressure is up to about 16 PSI, but there's now a slow, steady stream of bubbles rising up out of the PCV. Looking good. A quick peek half an hour later shows the pressure holding steady at 16 PSI, and the bubbles still popping out through the water. I'm excited! Only 6 to 9 more days until I'm going to be able to taste my first home brew!