Newbie hi and question about fermenting.

[MRP]

Hello everyone.

Just thought i'd introduce myself before I ask loads of questions.

I am 28 and have just started brewing my first ever kit, it's the Munton's IPA, for anyone interested.

Anyway, have always wanted to try brewing but have been put off as I thought you could never get a brew as good as the pub varieties, but reading a little deeper, practice (and a little more equipment) makes perfect.

Being as I have just started I thought I'd go for the basic kits available as I want to start off as simple as posible. So I went to Matchless(great people) in Coalville and bought a bucket and king keg and the other bits and bobs and started to prepare.

Enough with the boring stuff. Question time.

I put all the ingredients in the bucket 48 hours ago and it is in the garage(av. temp 20) at the moment not doing too much, but it has got a sort of bubbly crusty head and is actually starting to smell like bitter. But I have a bubbler in the lid of the bucket and there's no bubble action whatsoever, and my question is should there be?

Time for a London pride, I think.


TIA, Andy

[Prenderb]

Welcome, if I may say it - I'm about as new as you! It sounds like something's happening, but that the co2 is escaping from somewhere other than through the airlock - is the lid on your bucket tightly? As I said elsewhere, I''d love to see how your IPA gets on as I'm a fan of the likes of Deuchars - let us know please!

[MRP]

Thanks. Thought the gas may be leaking as I could smell the brew around the grommet between the lid and bubbler, slightly. But don't know exactly what should be happening at the moment so thought I'd make sure.

Should I do anything to stop any leaks?

[BlackBag]

Hello MRP and welcome to the wonderful world of homebrew.
I'd echo what Prenderb has said. Sounds like the bucket lid isn't on as tight as could be. I wouldn't worry though. You've got your first brew fermenting away in 48 hours. Bloody good that. Take a look at all the "stuck ferment" posts on here. Check your lid's on good and tight then sit back and think of all that delicious IPA you'll soon have. Then start thinking of all the other kits you can try . . . .

[Russ]

Agree with the other comments and welcome!

Think the gas is escaping elsewhere

after 48 hours you should have many bubbles through the airlock (One every couple of seconds or so) If you've got a foamy head on the top (1'' plus deep)thats a good sign all is well.

Do what you can to seal the lid- what sort of fermenter are you using?

Did you check what temp the wort was when you pitched the yeast?, did you just sprinkle it on or did you re hydrate it first?

Have you got a hydrometer and if so did you take the starting gravity?

and above all don't panic! your in the right place and just got going in a great hobby!

[MRP]

Check your lid's on good and tight then sit back and think of all that delicious IPA you'll soon have. Then start thinking of all the other kits you can try . . . .

Cheers Blackbag, I think i'll have another Bitter!

[MRP]

Hi Russ, and thanks for the welcome and advice.

The head is 1 inch plus, so I am hopeful. The fermenter is made by youngs and the lid is snapped shut, but the grommet has a bit of play between the lid.

I was a little lazy with the yeast and just sprinkled it into the mix at around 30 degrees.

Hmmm, the Hydrometer..........yep, lazy again and still in the packaging!

I was more worried about sanitation, will do it with the next brew, promise.

edit: I've just noticed the other thread, and it says what you've said above. So I might use some insulation tape around the lid.

I WANT BUBBLES!

[Jaoqua]

MRP, are you saying you didn't sanitize the fermenter at all?

If so, you may just get away with it if it's new kit, but in future bear in mind that it'll sit around for a while between brews collecting germs. It seems to me that the two biggest risks to a kit brew are stuck fermentation (see BB above) and off beer.

Sanitization is a pain, but it's a necessary one. Bear this in mind when you start taking hydrometer (gravity) readings about 5 days into fermenting. Everything that touches the beer must be sanitized and well rinsed.

[mysterio]

Anyway, have always wanted to try brewing but have been put off as I thought you could never get a brew as good as the pub varieties, but reading a little deeper, practice (and a little more equipment) makes perfect.

Keep at it my friend, you'll soon be brewing better than the stuff you can get in the pub.

[maxashton]

Welcome aboard, and best of luck with your brew!

Don't worry too much about your bad airlock seal, the yeast will be generating a lot of CO2 pressure so it should keep the nasties out.

[MRP]

Thanks guys.

J, I meant that I did sanitize everything, but I was trying to make sure I put the mix together quickly and seal it up to keep out any 'nasties', so missed the hydrometer test.

Have just taken the lid off to take a look at how things are progressing and there's still a crusty foam head on it(more crust and less foam than before) and took a sneaky sniff, it had a very nice aroma and kick to it, I read somewhere thats a good sign.

Hope this is right?

Should I test the S.G now?

[ashbyp]

I wouldn't bother with a gravity reading now - just remember to take one next time before you put the yeast in.

As for measuring final gravity, I personably don't take a reading until it looks like fermentation is done - that means the yeast head is pretty much gone and few if any bubbles coming out the airlock. Each time you take a reading you risk contamination, and wasting beer!! (assuming you are drawing off a sample).

[MRP]

Ahh, O.K. Thanks.

[ashbyp]

... but just to say there is nothing to stop you taking a reading, if you are curious. Just make sure anythign coming in contact with the beer in the fermenter is sanitized.

[wetdog]

I read someone on here had what seemed to be a good idea,
Once you've mixed the yeast into the wort, take a sample and put it in a sample jar. keep the sample in the same place as the main brew and just put your hydrometer in the sample to take readings as it should be working at the same rate as the main. I suppose a bit of cotton wool in the trial jar will help to keep infection out if you try this method.