With the multitude of comments you're getting, it may be a little overwhelming to get through it all. The one thing no one has said, it that you are doing much better making your first beer than some people making their tenth. One of the coolest things about being a home brewer is the first sip from your very first beer . When you finally crack open that pale ale you will probably enjoy that beer more than any other beer you have ever had. In the words of the great Charles Papazian, "Relax, don't worry, have a homebrew." Cheers! Oscar San Antonio, TX