Hi! I'm the new kid!

[HighHops]

Hello all!

I've just joined your site after watching from the sidelines for far too long. Thought it was about time I joined in.

I've only been brewing beer for 2 months, after my initial attempt at making red wine vinegar 10 years ago, but now I've got the taste for it and am on my 9th kit (first 2 ditched ) and making suppable ale which is all thanks to you lot and the advice you give on this forum. So thank you one and all.

I always brew 2 kits at once and keep the FVs in the cupboard under the stairs. Usually one table lamp next to the brews is enough to keep them at 20-24C. I control the temp by moving the lamp closer or further away. I've got a brewferm Grand Cru and Geordie export (Christmas present) on the go at the minute. After a vigorous initial fermentation, on day 2, due to the sub zero weather, I found the temperature had dropped to 16C and the bloops in the airlocks had stopped. I put a second bedside lamp next to them (which has improved my love life no end) to get the temp back up, but in the morning it had risen to 31C.

The temperature is now back to 23C (with one lamp) but fermentation is slow (5 minutes per bloop). My question is: have I killed the yeast and do I need to repitch and will the high temperature affect the taste?

Have seen a big improvement in my brews since using spraymalt, but for my next brew I want to make another stout or maybe a porter (what’s the difference?) but with some black treacle aswell as DSM. What's the best porter/stout kit to try? Also quite fancy adding honey to something. Any advice as to which kits suit honey best?

Sorry, lots of questions for one post, but one more: How do you add a signature to your post?

Next Up: You decide?
Fv: Brewferm Grand Cru & Geordie Scottish Export
Cond: Brewferm Diabolo
Drinking: Coopers IPA, Tom Caxton real ale, Dog bolter, Edme Irish Stout

[EoinMag]

Only addressing the yeast question, you have not killed it, chances are after 4-5 days most vigorous fermentation has finished and you won't have much more happening.

[thedeckking]

The only way of checking if the yeast has finished or is dead is with some hydro readings.

To change your signature click were it says "User Control Panel" on the left of the page near the top. Then choose the tab "Profile" and then "Edit SIgnature"

[Ditch]

For my next brew I want to make another stout or maybe a porter (what’s the difference?) but with some black treacle as well as DSM. What's the best porter/stout kit to try?

Stout / Porter? To the best of my knowledge, a Porter is a darker sort of beer. But, it's really got little in common with a Stout. I guess a 'Winter Ale' might fall about between the two? I'm perfectly happy to be shot to ribbons on this one ~ I'd like to read definitive verdicts

Anyway, Black Treacle in a Stout or Porter kit? Here we go again; Five minutes at the game and ye out to design the Better Mouse Trap? Your fingers, not mine .....

[pokerswazi]

This might help explain the difference between stout and porter.
http://www.ngwbj.org.uk/beer_styles.html

[spud]

As a previous entrant as put you may not have killed the yeast as fermentation shouldve taken place however best way is to invest in a hydrometer this will give you a definate reading. Tip for next years xmas present...ask for a brew belt... there not expensive and give a constant temperature.

[HighHops]

Thanks for the advice. Will invest in a brew belt.

Took hydro readings today (day 5) - 1016 on the Grand Cru (1070 OG), but only 1030 on the geordie export (1040 OG) and the krausen has almost disappeared. Think the Grand Cru will be ok, but the export has definitely stalled. It's only one bloop every five minutes. Should I repitch? I've got some safale in the fridge.

[Ditch]

Thanks for the advice. Will invest in a brew belt.

Far better off with a fish tank heater. It has an integral thermostat. No need for nannying and guess work.

[mickhew]

As Ditch said, fish tank heaters are better, Brewbelts don't give a constant heat, it's all or nothing with them. I'd pitch the Safale if I were you, but, if your pitching into a cold wort, the Safale won't do a lot. Make wure the temp is correct. Good luck with it all, keep posting questions. Try seaching too, because you can find previous questions that have already been answered.
Cheers.