1st brew

[RajBoab]

Hi all,

My first brew.....a Brupaks "Colne Valley Bitter". Followed DAAB's advice on his website. Chers Buddy! Respect due.

OG - 1.041 @ 25C on 16/10/078, made to 22L. Hydrated supplied yeast and pitched at 25C. Took 24Hrs to get going then developed a good foamy head and then slowed considerably. After 8 days there was very little activity. Took a gravity reading and it was about 1.019. Too high! The problem was that the FV was in our utility room which seems to sit at 17C. I think the ferment stalled cos it's too cold. This evening I roused the wort, fired in half a sachet of safale 04 and moved it to the spare room where the temp is 21C. Here's hoping. Dunno if the extra yeast was required but I want to try everything to get a half good brew.

I just want my first brew to be a success.

Also got 4L of Turbo Cider on the go. Another sukker! 4L of Tesco value AJ + half a sachet of safale 04 + 250g caster sugar. OG - 1.070 and bubbling away. Really sulphourous smell though. Yuk.

Wifey not pleased. Sorry for rambling.

RajBoab

[Curious Brew]

Congrats on popping your brewing cherry.

I really must get on with my first kit or it wont be ready in time for Christmas!

Really sulphourous smell though. Yuk.

That'll pass.

[nicktherockstar]

A tip I have found is adding a small dose of suger/spaymalt to the brew re-fires a sticking ferment

add about 20-40g and it will be at 1010 or below within 24 hours, everytime... or at least when ive done it!

my theory is that towards the end only the hardest to break down sugars are left and the tired yeast just cant hack it, give it something nice and easy (sugar/spraymalt) and it thrives, building up enery and plowing on through those touger compounds after!

p.s. thats just my pure guesswork!