A few questions.

[Broke 'n Thirsty]

Hello all,

Would just like to say what a brilliant forum this site has and have been browsing the posts with interest and learning as I go.

I finally got all the bits to get my first brew on the go, as I have been wanting to do this for some time now, and it is getting close to bottling. Should think within the next 48 hrs.

I am sure my questions have been answered elsewhere in you forum so please forgive me if I am asking them again. These are the points that I am a little unsure on and would be chuffed for some help.

My FV has no tap so I will have to remove the lid to take a SG reading, will exposing my beer to air before ferm is finished effect it?

I have 5 gallons of Coopers Larger on the go and have read CrownCaps 'Bottling it! (with pictures)' post, which is excellent, well done. I am going to try his way and intend to second prime with 165g of Beers enhancement. Is this okay?

Should I bother with finnings that came in the kit or will this slow down the secondary ferm?

That's all for now, would be gratefully if someone could help me here.

Cheers

[OldSpeckledBadger]

As long as you're fairly careful removing the lid won't harm the beer as there's a protective blanket of CO2 lying on top of it. In fact beer was traditionally brewed in open-topped vessels. The simplest way to monitor the SG is to sanitise your hydrometer, put it in the FV and leave it there until you come to bottle. Then all you've got to do is take a squint at it each day.

For priming, follow the quantities recommended in your kit.

Finings a not a good idea for bottled beers as they make the yeast sediment less stable and you'll probably find that when open the bottle the yeast will rise up into solution.

[scottmoss]

Hi,

Welcome to the site!

I can answer a couple of your points for you. You can certainly open the fermentor and take the SG reading at this is what I always do, it's only when you get air within the beer than can sometimes cause problems (Splashing the beer etc).

Finings will make the beer clear really quick (Normally within a couple of days) I don't think they recommend using them when bottling.

[Broke 'n Thirsty]

Cheers guys for the quick response.

That is a huge help....Man I want to get this bottled and down my neck while the next batch is brewing!!! Will have to lock it away for three weeks or else it will be finished before then! lol.

[scottmoss]

Hi,

Yes I know what you mean! I had a pint of my beers that have only been barrelled for 1 week last night. I think it's hard until you have a steady supply going!

[dunc]

get a rolling stock going mate. I had hell on keeping my hands off during the first few weeks but its worth it once you've got plenty of well conditioned beer to go at.