Muntons Midas Touch Golden Ale

[RichardG]

Okay, I put this in the FV last Sunday night. Did it exactly as per the kit instructions but with a little yeast nutrient and a rehydrated yeast. IG was 1.046. I was blessed with a rapid and vigorous ferment that died down quickly. I've just checked with the hydro tonight and have a reading of 1.018. That suggests to me I'm well on course to get to, or below the target FG of 1.014 by early next week. I'd be interested to know if this accords with other peoples experiences of this brew, and alos their impressions of the final brew.

[RichardG]

I guess this is also where one learns the virtue of patience. Checked the gravity yesterday evening; now down to 1.016. That's a point 0.002 fall since Sunday. Normally I'd probably leave that a few days to see if drops any further as the preffered FG is below 1.014. Unfortunately, on Wednsay night I'm travelling away on work, then on Friday night I'm travelling away on a long weekend break with SWMBO! That means that Thursday night will be taken up with packing for ourselves plus the kids who are staying with my parents. We won't be back until next Tuesday night. That means I've got to bottle the brew tonight, regardless of where the gravity is. I really don't want to leave it until next week. If I'd planned ahead I'd probably have pitched this one so it would be ready AFTER we're back. Oh well! Given where the gravity currently is I reckon it's virtually done so don't think there'll be any issues with bottling tonight. Least, I hope not!

[BlackBag]

We're it me, and I'm a patient (lazy) bugger, I'd leave it until you get back. Honestly it'll do it no harm, another week, or even longer. Bear in mind that there are those that brew in the barrel that they serve from! I appreciate that sitting on top of all the dead yeasties will start to affect the taste after a couple of months, but just 1 month? Just leave the bloody thing and enjoy yersel

[RichardG]

Cheers for that Blackbag. It won't even be a month, the brew will have been in the FV for just over two weeks by the time I'm back and can bottle it. From what you say, that should be no problem at all! By the by, do you thing it's worth stirring the sediment to encourage a bit of extra activity, seeing as I'm going to leave now?

[BlackBag]

To be honest since my rebirth into homebrew I had been a little wary of stirring once fermentation has started. So much talk of oxidisation. But, human nature being what it is, I have to admit stirring 2 brews recently to revive them. Worked a treat. In the old days I would have done this without a thought, and I never had a problem. Can't believe that doing so now made me feel so guilty
Trouble is when you read so much advice from these seasoned experts it seems folly not to trust it.
Anyway, if it makes you feel better, I've noticed one or two suggestions popping up from others condoning a quick stir. Maybe we're moving back into MANS brewing

[RichardG]

Okay, well I'll give it a little stir then. It's not that I think its necessary stopped or anything, just thinking that, as it'll get left longer anyway, I may as well 'help it along' somewhat and make the most of the extra time available. Why not eh? I'll be most curious to see what I've got come next Tuesday!

[ebbadger]

Done this kit recently with an added 500gm of DME, really struggled after the first 5 days and eventually gave up at two weeks and bottled it at 1.016...... carbonated nicely in bottles (been in two weeks) and tastes very good just a touch of sweetness..... see if it improves if it lasts...

Cheers Steve

[RichardG]

Well, I'm just back from a very pleasent weekend away, and have just tested the PG of the brew which came out at 1.014. I can't see this going any further (and seeing as this is the target FG, I'm not concerned anyway!). I will check again but intend to bottle tomorrow. My only slight concern is that the brew has come out quite clear, and given other posts I have read about brews failing to gain sufficient 'life', I'm slightly worried this could happend here. Are there any recommendations regarding this; or should I just bottled and be damned? I'm tempted by the latter option to be honest, but if anyone has any practical experience of this I'm very happy to listen!

[fivetide]

Bottle it with a half tsp of glucose or spraymalt in each pint bottle. Keep it in the warm for a week then stick it in the shed or garage for at least another three weeks. It'll be very nice indeed. I made some of this a year or more ago with some dryhops added, and it didn't hang around long - drink it nice and cold.

[PuffY]

Hi
I started this beer 5 weeks ago. Got a microbrewer kit so it ferments and clears in the keg. Only problem is that it still hasn't cleared! I have done about 5 other brews this way before and they all cleared fine after 2-3 weeks in a cool enviroment, thing is that its even cooler in my house now then it has been before yet it still won't clear!!! Anyone else have problems with it not clearing??
Thanks.

[RichardG]

So, treat it exactly as normal then!

Regarding clearing, I understand that kegs tend to take longer to clear anyway. I had a Woodfordes Wherry which took a good 3 - 4 weeks to clear in bottles (well worth it when it had though!).