1st ever brew, standard bitter from David Line BBB Pg 34

Had a good one? Tell us about it here - and don't forget - we like pictures!
mysterio

Post by mysterio » Mon Oct 30, 2006 9:48 pm

Good work bandit, I like the pictures.

I personally wouldn't bother with the Iodine test, if you're mashing for 90 minutes you'd have to have done something quite badly wrong to not get conversion.

PieOPah

Post by PieOPah » Tue Oct 31, 2006 10:25 am

bandit1200s wrote:I am slightly concerned that a head had formed once it had come through my chiller. The head is still there now with the yeast added.
Possibly just the foam that is created when you aerate the wort. This is a good thing as the yeast needs plenty of oxygen (to begin with). Before fermenting oxygen is important. After fermenting begins you don't want any oxygen anywhere near you wort/beer

bandit

Post by bandit » Fri Nov 03, 2006 12:31 pm

Now that the wort has been at 20 degrees for 5 days should I transfer it to another container leaving the head and sediment behind? It has a layer of brown scum ontop about 15mm thick. It has fresh white bubbles breaking through.

PieOPah

Post by PieOPah » Fri Nov 03, 2006 1:02 pm

Some people skim the brown scum off, others don't bother.

Personally I leave the brown scum as most of it seems to cling to the side of my FV. Any that does go back into the beer settles out and ends up in the slurry.

If your beer is still fermenting (and it sounds like it is) I wouldn't rack to secondary. Wait a few more days until the krausen (foam) has disappeared. This is just my opinion.

If you rack to secondary too early then you are reducing the amount of active yeast working on your beer. I have heard thatt his can have detrimental effects on your beer.

Personally the minimum amount of time I leave in primary for is 7 days.

Kev.

Post by Kev. » Fri Nov 03, 2006 2:17 pm

PieOPah wrote: If you rack to secondary too early then you are reducing the amount of active yeast working on your beer. I have heard thatt his can have detrimental effects on your beer.
I think you run this risk if you rack late, not early, as much of the yeast will have dropped out of suspension as fermentation slows but really there still should be more than enough yeast for conditioning purposes.

I normally rack from the primary to an airlocked secondary when the fermentation slows and the krausen begins to drop, usually anytime up to a week, although I don't think timing is exactly crucial. I've left it longer with no adverse effects. Once in the secondary I'll leave it as long as I like, normally until it has dropped bright, I also dry hop in the secondary.

As for the trub that collects on top of the krausen, I personally don't bother skimming and haven't for done for years with no ill effects, it gets left behind when you rack anyway.

I think skimming just open up another variable to go wrong like ending up with your cat/children/glasses/false teeth falling into your beer! :lol: :shock:

bandit

Post by bandit » Mon Nov 06, 2006 11:53 pm

I have now racked it to its secondary fermentation vessel. There are the odd bits of yeast floating around but I assume they will settle soon. One thing I can add is that it tastes 100% better than the kit I tried 2 months ago. I have just drunk a syphon tube full and its definetly got alcohol in. And bubbles and flavour and aroma, that's it I'm hooked bring on the next brew day :lol:

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Andy
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Post by Andy » Mon Nov 06, 2006 11:58 pm

Good work bandit!
Dan!

Bigster

Post by Bigster » Tue Nov 07, 2006 12:02 am

Hooked, line and sinker :lol: .

Well done bandit and good choice with TTL as your next brew

bandit

Post by bandit » Tue Nov 07, 2006 12:20 am

I have just made the most important decision of my, so far, very eventful week (the wife has put a disc out in her back so she's laid up on some well serious drugs) . On thursday morning of this week, 9th Nov, I am going to start my first batch of Timothy Tayors Landlord.

OG 1042
4,460g golden promise pale malt
42g styrian goldings
35 g fuggles hops (both full boil)
goldings hops 15g (last 15 mins)
irish moss 10 gm

All the ingredients are here. I am going to put this one to bed and then hit the York Beer Festival on friday night. I dont think I will see Saturday morning. But I might remeber to write a few brew names down while I'm there and try and scrounge a few good recipies.

bandit

Post by bandit » Thu Nov 09, 2006 11:56 pm

I have just put this first brew into the King Keg. (cornies will be next years addition) I checked the SG and it was 1.001 It smells lovely but had a few lumps of yeast floating around. I have added some beercleer II and 50grams of glucose. The room is 21 deg C constantly, should I do anything else to it?

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Post by Andy » Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:08 am

1001 - are you sure ? :shock:

That's rather "dry" :lol:
Dan!

bandit

Post by bandit » Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:15 am

Yup 1.001 Thats why I asked the question I thought it seem a bit low.

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Garth
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Post by Garth » Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:29 am

thats mega low mate, I've never had a reading less than 1012 with kits and my first AG is now finished at 1010

have you checked your hydrometer in 20'C plain water?

Vossy1

Post by Vossy1 » Fri Nov 10, 2006 6:54 am

thats mega low mate, I've never had a reading less than 1012 with kits
Unfortunately I have, and it turned into vinegar :cry:

eskimobob

Post by eskimobob » Fri Nov 10, 2006 10:00 am

bandit1200s wrote:Yup 1.001 Thats why I asked the question I thought it seem a bit low.
Might be worth checking your hydrometer calibration by putting it in some water that has warned up to room temp. Should read about 1.000

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