1st Batch - Pale Ale

For my first batch of beer I used a Baron's Pale Ale beer kit that I got with the rest of my start up kit. This was a basic add water and stir type kit. I first filled my primary fermenter, the white plastic food grade bucket, about half full of warm water, then added the malt extract that came with the kit, and then topped up the bucket with warm water to the 23 litre mark. To this I added the yeast and a small package of hops that came with the kit, and then attached the airlock and bung and put the bucket into a cool dry place to do its thing. After about a week I transferred the beer from the primary fermenter into the glass carboy, the secondary fermenter, attached the airlock, and again set it aside. This stage is for any fermentation to finish and for the beer to start clearing as the sediment settles on the bottom of the carboy. After about two weeks I then transferred the beer back into the primary fermenter, added a cup of dextrose to create some carbonation when the beer is in the bottle and then bottled the beer. Results After two weeks in the bottle the beer has good initial carbonation but flattens out quite quickly. Has a fairly hoppy/green taste. Not the greatest beer and definitely has that homebrew taste. After a third week in the bottle the beer has improved significantly. Has a fairly light hoppy flavour with a slightly bitter aftertaste, and a good pale amber colour. Turned out not bad for a basic add water and stir kit." So my first batch was a success...I was not too impressed initially but have now learned that more time in the bottle leads to a better taste. Patience is a virtue when it comes to making beer.