Over enthusisatic Great Western

[DSB]

I am, essentially new to brewing. Tried it about 30 years ago and was generally not pleased with results. Then got married and brewing stuff relegated to the loft. Got a wine and beer 'brew' as part of Christmas present so have retrieved the stuff from the loft, given it all a good clean down, and yesterday, away we went, having first had a good look around this site, and one or two others.

Followed the instructions to the tee. Read all the things about Woodforde's often getting stuck firmentations. Yesterday all seemed quiet. Got up at 5am for a drink (no, not the home brew), and checked the F.V. - No sign of life. At 8am whe I eventually got up for real, the Great Eastern was making a bid for freedom. It had bubbled up through the air lock and onto the lid of the F.V.

What do I do about an over-enthusiastic brew? I just cleared the spills up with an old towel while savouring the aroma, and cleaned and refitted the airlock. Is there anything else I should be doing? Amid all the posts about 'stuck Woodforde's', I don't feel I ought to discourage it too much.

Best wishes,

David

[DSB]

Will give that a try, Chris - thanks. By the way, how important is the air lock? In the bad old days I used to just cover the top with a tee towel - perhaps that it why it tasted poor?

Best wishes,

David

[DSB]

Thanks for that info. Chris. The people in the brew shop advised me to leave the water to stand (covered with towel) for 24 hours before starting the brew. This, they said would (somehow) get rid if the chlorine and other nastie's naturally. Any thoughts?

[DSB]

Look's like I'll go with the camden tablet idea next time to be on the safe side, although I'm keeping fingers crossed that this first one will be O.K. Thanks Chris.

David

[DSB]

After getting a really enthusiastic start, the Great western has stuck at 1020 (it's been on for 6 days). Reading these pages this seems not to be much of a surprise. Having checked it two days running and getting 1020 both times, I decided to take action today. I gently stirred (agitated what was at the bottom of the FV), add two spoons of Tronozymol yeast nutrient and sprinkled on a sachet of Safale S-04. Have I done the correct thing? Here's hoping I have not spoilt it. Shall I keep it and run with it or ditch it? Will the action I have taken have any effect? Will it effect what it will taste like at the end?

David
My first brew!

[DarloDave]

Aslong as the spoon you stirred it with was sanitized you should be fine for now, just give it a few more days.

[KevP]

After getting a really enthusiastic start, the Great western has stuck at 1020 (it's been on for 6 days). Reading these pages this seems not to be much of a surprise.

David
My first brew!

And there was me hoping that they had got their act together and sorted it out

[DSB]

Seems not. This is why I've bought a Brupak for next time. We'll just have to wait and see what happens to the Great Western. (By the way, all utensils fully steralized).