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Well...I drank my first homebrew

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hd3:
So this weekend it happened...I got to try the beer from my first batch.  I am a little indifferent about it...because of the following reasons.

1. It is an Irish Red which came with the kit.  I am not a huge Irish Red fan as it reminds me of Killians Irish Red.
2. It reminds me of Killians Irish Red. ha.
3. It was a little lower on carbonation which isn't a huge deal but was expecting a little more head.  I can pour the beer straight up and down and I get the desired 1-1.5 inches of head. 
4. It smells a little like old beer (you know the smell when you walk into a place that just smells like beer is on the floor).
5. It really is lacking some complexity.  A little sweet at the finish. It is super easy to drink ( I can drink one down in about 2 minutes) and my wife said "it is a little watery".  Thanks for the thumbs up is what I said.
6.  I wasn't able to get a good rolling boil (did it on my stove with a 15 gallon SS megapot) so my wort might have not been the greatest.
7. Super low visible fermentation activity (2 days of active signs) and then it was done.
8. No sediment at the bottom of the bottles like I was expecting, which is fine with me but was expecting the sediment.
9. FG was 1.01

The good...
1. It was my first homebrew and I am super excited to get started on the next one. 
2. I think I have learned tons since my first brew day which will help with my process (i.e. boiling, hops, etc.).
3. It is not bad and can easily get through the 2 cases.
4. AHA forum was a huge help to me and I thank you all.

So, overall not a bad brew but by far not my favorite. Practice will help me and I am excited to brew the next batch.

Thanks for letting me share.

weithman5:
good job
it sounds like the head showed up, but didn't stay?  i add about a tablespoon of wheat per gallon and sometimes this helps without changing the flavor.  but without much yeast sediment maybe not fully carbonated

that old smell/taste, i usually equate with oxygenation but otherwise sounds like things went okay, congrats

neemox:
What was your OG? It sounds like maybe we didn't quite get enough sugar in there to start with (thin, watery, and an FG that is SUPER low for an ale yeast.)

But congrats on your first beer!!!!  Sounds like you've already learned a lesson that I struggled with starting out,... "Regardless of what happens, you will make beer"

morticaixavier:
congrats! enjoy it and get started on that next batch.

1.010 is not to low for a lightish ale.

+1 on oxidation if it tastes/smells like slightly stale beer.

Give it a little more time at room temp to carb up the rest of the way, this should take care of the slightly sweet, the lack of sediment and possibly the watery impression as proper carbonation makes a huge difference in the perception and mouthfeel of a small beer.

hd3:
Thanks for all the replies and suggestions.

My OG was 1044 which was spot on for my kit.

I have to figure out the oxidation situation.  I don't want to ruin batches due to this problem. 

I am hoping some more time to carb will help.  It has been carbing for 2 weeks at room temp (65 degrees). 

Cheers to progress on the next batch!  I'm thinking of an IPA.

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