First Kit is Fermenting Away... No Major Problems (I Hope!)

[dan_olo]

Now 5 days in and the gravity is down to 1021. There's a really noticeable 'beery' smell when I take the lid off the FV too which I guess isn't surprising since I'm meant to be making beer! Hadn't noticed that the first few times I'd taken the lid off though so the aroma is obviously getting stronger.

I'll wait the full ten days before bottling but does anyone know what sort of FG should I be looking for with this kit? I'm thinking somewhere around 1015 to 1010 before bottling...

[nicktherockstar]

I would avoid taking the lid off as much as you can, what you can smell is the co2, it always reminds me of when you first open a bottle of pop. and at the end of the day its protecting your beer while its trapped in there... bonus!

if your like me at first and insist on looking at it 5 times a day! I just leave it sealed now until at least day 7

[dan_olo]

Yeah have been taking the lid off once a day or so... ooops! Will make sure it's back on tightly and hope for the best

[nicktherockstar]

yes dont take my comments to heart too much, its more of a precaution than a must

[vacant]

what you can smell is the co2

Safety data for carbon dioxide....

Appearance: colourless odourless gas

[booldawg]

After the foam subsided, the SG dropped from its original reading of 1040 right down to 1020. 24 hours later its dropped down to 1018. Is this a normal drop in gravity after the initial big fermentation?

[nicktherockstar]

jeez i better be more scientific next time....

what you can smell is co2 with little beer bits in it

ill just shutup now before I get flamed

[Aleman]

Talking of things to avoid in your beer how about dihydrogen monoxide? I was reading a safety sheet about it in the lab, sound like really nasty stuff

[dan_olo]

It's down to 1020... only 1 point lower than two days ago. There's a layer of sediment about 1/2 inch thick at the bottom of the FV though so will give it a gentle rouse and see if I can get it going again for those final 5 or 10 points.

Could this be because I used the Safale 04 rather than the yeast with the kit?

[booldawg]

It's down to 1020... only 1 point lower than two days ago. There's a layer of sediment about 1/2 inch thick at the bottom of the FV though so will give it a gentle rouse and see if I can get it going again for those final 5 or 10 points.

Could this be because I used the Safale 04 rather than the yeast with the kit?

Mines sat at the same SG for 2 days as well. I roused it a bit and sprinkled over the sachet as supplied in the kit (I initially pitched Safale 04 when I made it)

[dan_olo]

Popped to my local homebrew shop today (Cheers in Long Eaton). Think I would have done better at the Flagon & Cask in Bulwell but I managed to get some Youngs yeast nutrient. It seems to be designed for winemakers but I guess it might do some good. Should I just add a teaspoon-full to the fermenter and mix with the paddle?

Also picked up another packet of Safale 04 in case I need to take desperate measures...

[booldawg]

Popped to my local homebrew shop today (Cheers in Long Eaton). Think I would have done better at the Flagon & Cask in Bulwell but I managed to get some Youngs yeast nutrient. It seems to be designed for winemakers but I guess it might do some good. Should I just add a teaspoon-full to the fermenter and mix with the paddle?

Also picked up another packet of Safale 04 in case I need to take desperate measures...

Lets us know if it gets moving. This is both our first time brewing - I'm not expecting fantastic tasting beer on my first outing but I'd at least like to get it fermented properly and in bottles, rather than down the plug-hole! I put another sachet of yeast in mine yesterday and its dropped a point, down to 1016 and the 10 days are up on Tuesday. I'm hoping to get 1010 or under. Fingers crossed. My lesson learnt is always have a sachet of dry beer enzyme and yeast vit in the house.

[dan_olo]

Just taken another gravity reading and it was down to 1018. Also added a teaspoon of Youngs Yeast Nutrient for good measure, though have now read another post which says it can give a nasty taste to beer Hope I haven't ruined the first one which was going so well. Oh well, it's all good experience...

[Beatnik69]

Popped to my local homebrew shop today (Cheers in Long Eaton). Think I would have done better at the Flagon & Cask in Bulwell but I managed to get some Youngs yeast nutrient. It seems to be designed for winemakers but I guess it might do some good. Should I just add a teaspoon-full to the fermenter and mix with the paddle?

Also picked up another packet of Safale 04 in case I need to take desperate measures...

Lets us know if it gets moving. This is both our first time brewing - I'm not expecting fantastic tasting beer on my first outing but I'd at least like to get it fermented properly and in bottles, rather than down the plug-hole! I put another sachet of yeast in mine yesterday and its dropped a point, down to 1016 and the 10 days are up on Tuesday. I'm hoping to get 1010 or under. Fingers crossed. My lesson learnt is always have a sachet of dry beer enzyme and yeast vit in the house.

Dawg, I sampled my first brew last night. I bottled it at about 1016 and didn't expect anything from it but when I cracked open the bottle(s) there was decent carbonation and i tasted, well, like beer! So stick with it.

[booldawg]

Thanks for the encouragement. I had to go out today and happened to be passing a brew shop in Fareham, so I've added half a teaspoon of yeast vit, will see how it goes!