My 4th Brew!

[GTATTY]

I started my smugglers kit today (Wed 28th Feb).

All was going well untill I looked at my rehydrated (bundled)yeast in the bottle. It had been left for 20 mins and nothing! I added it to 30C cooled boiling water with a teasoon of Glucose aswell just like all the ones I've done before.

I pitched it in anyway and gave a stir.

I also sprinkled over the wort a pack of Muntons Premium Gold yeast I had in store. That started to expand straight away on top of the wort and then eventually sink.

The Fermenting bin now has lid on and is in a room at 21C.

I will recheck in the morning.

What should the initial SG be as I read 1.048/1.050 from my wort?

Regards

A confused Graham


Regards

Graham

Hi all

Just updating

After leaving the brew to ferment I checked it 2 days ago and the SG was 1.020 with very little activity! I checked it this morning and the hydometer is between 1.020 and 1.018 with hardly any bubbles rising.

I cleaned, sanitised and sterilised my mixing paddle and roused the bottom of my fermenter very gently and within 2 hours the wort has started again with loads of bubbles rising

The wort is 21C and I'll check it again in a couple of days.

Regards

Graham

[tubby_shaw]

Nice one hopefully that muntons gold yeast that you added will ferment it out
Good call on the rousing of the yeast, that should help your little yeasties finish the job
In my experience it can take a few days to drop that last couple of degrees and as you still have signs of fermentation I think it will be fine

[GTATTY]

Thanks for the replies guys

I've also raised the temp of the spare room to 22 degrees.

The top of the wort now has a layer of foam after 3 hours so I think stirring gently to rouse the yeast at the bottom of the fermenter is the key!

I think I'm gonna purchase an aquarium heater as I think it will help to keep the wort approx 22C. I've thought of using cable ties to suspend it horizontally in the middle of the wort from the lid of the FV!

As long as I clean,sterilise and sanitiseI'm sure I'll be ok

Regards

Graham

[tubby_shaw]

Aquarium heaterstats are ideal
I simply give mine a good rinse off after use and it gets sanitised in thin bleach solution before use.
I dont do any fancy suspension in the FV it gets chucked in and the lid gets snapped on over the top of the cable
But then again I am a lazy bugger and if you want neatness go for it

[maxashton]

I put an airlock port on my fermenter bucket.
I might be forced to look at wilko's aquarium section.

[GTATTY]

I've just purchased a 55watt aquarium heater. I didn't want it too high a wattage as I want to heat gently.

This will also save me money on heating up the room my fermenting bin is in

I'm gonna use it with my next brew which is 'Sherwood Best Bitter'

I'll start it in a week or so!

Regards

Graham

[tubby_shaw]

I've just purchased a 55watt aquarium heater. I didn't want it too high a wattage as I want to heat gently.

This will also save me money on heating up the room my fermenting bin is in

It begins
First a little heater, than a little boiler, then a mash tun, then a shiny boiler, then a RIMS or HERMS, next the world

[GTATTY]

haha

[maxashton]

I'm trying to figure out if i can get a loan and open a brewery.


I can't, obviously.

[Russ]

Hi GTATTY

I suspend my 50w aquarium heater from the lid of the fv using a cable gland, this one was from B&Q (20mm cable Gland) I put a little insulation tape around the cable and tightened the gland round this, its air tight.

Hope this helps

Russ

[tubby_shaw]

Nice
Puts me to shame

[GTATTY]

Hi GTATTY

I suspend my 50w aquarium heater from the lid of the fv using a cable gland, this one was from B&Q (20mm cable Gland) I put a little insulation tape around the cable and tightened the gland round this, its air tight.

Hope this helps

Russ

Great Idea, thanks
I'm going to try it as I've got some new 20mm cable glands and locknuts in the garage.

Cheers

Graham

[Russ]

Glad to be of service
....even better you've got the bits in yer garage

[GTATTY]

Just tested the SG tonight and it's at 1.016! Hooray it's dropping

Another couple of points and it'll be ready for kegging.


Regards

Graham

[GTATTY]

Hi all

There appears to be a problem with this brew!

My Sherwood Ale Best Bitter has cleared a lot clearer!(It's a later brew!) The smugglers special is nicer with a more fruity lighter taste but the Sherwood Best bitter has more body, fuller flavour/better head retention/clearer and more caramelly sort of taste but a sharper bite if that makes sense!

I'll post pics to follow for all you kit lovers!

Regards

Graham