finishing hops

[Garth]

I'm wondering whether they'll cope with pellets as well, or they might just let the pellet 'muck' through the mesh and into the beer

I may have to conduct an experiment

[WishboneBrewery]

I'm wondering whether they'll cope with pellets as well, or they might just let the pellet 'muck' through the mesh and into the beer

I may have to conduct an experiment

Could I suggest 'Cheap teabags & Stapler' ???

[Garth]

couldn't possibly use them.....

they ain't shiny enough.....

actually that's a good idea, not sure about the staples, might use those plastic clips for open bags in the freezer

[WishboneBrewery]

I drink weird tea anyway so I'm used to having a cup full of big green leaves *he says while looking at forum adverts displaying Oolong Tea, though their spelling is wrong* Would the odd bit of hop spoil the beer if left in the bottles?

Might be cheaper to buy some of that tube-grip stuff from the chemist and tie up the ends

[Garth]

probably not, the bits should settle out anyway in the fv

[JCsbrogues]

Eh up people. Sorry to but in. Can someone explain dry hopping to me? I only bottle beer, I don't keg it. Have I misunderstood or does this rule out dry hopping in my case?

[Garth]

you can still dry hop, by adding some hops to the beer in the fv after fermentation is finished, leave them there for a few days then bottle as normal.

if you use a secondary before bottling drop them in there. use a bag or teaball to stop the bits getting everywhere

[JCsbrogues]

Thanks Garth.

[Wolfdog]

Garth, I have a question for you, I Have done what I said regardsmaking up the tins then spliting the wort into two FV, to FV1 I added the styrians steep, (these were steep't in about 1 1/2 pints of water, temp 55-60 for around 20mins, I also gentley sqeezed the hops to help the flavour come out). I then added the same amount of water to the 2nd FV to ballance the volumes of both FV's. Then I topped them both up with cold water to the 20lt mark, (3ltr short over all off the total kit size). I then proceeded to take the SG, FV 1 ( + Styrians) OG = 1060, FV 2 (as per kit) OG = 1048. The question is; Would the styrians have such an affect on the OG reading? I was quite shocked to see the differnce, as far as I'm aware I messured everything out in equal parts, temp was controlled when adding the styrians by way of equal part of water and temp to standerd kit. Yeast was added as a rehydrated mix to both mixes after the addition was made to FV1, this was at a temp of 28% ish. Thats all I can tell you. Your thoughts on this matter would be interesting.
cheers, Pete.

[Garth]

strange one that. Hops shouldn't really affect gravity readings at all, they supply no sugar, I don't know what has caused this.

did you check the gravity after adding yeast? this can cause some funny readings....

[Wolfdog]

Hi Garth, ye', as soon as the yeast was added I took a samle out and put it in a test tube as the FV's are to shallow for the hydrometer. I have double check the reading the same way and its the same? Maby I wasn't as acurate with my yeast as I thought ?? Oh well, I'll liv' n learn, hopfully . Also how long should it be before you see signs of fermention starting? Your help and andvice is respectfuly recieved, many thanks.

[Garth]

It could be from a couple of hours up to 24, I've had one that took over a day, might have been too cold, had me a bit worried though, kept on phoning the missus every hour with 'has it started yet?'

I find that good, quick start fermentations rely on good aeration of the wort, and pitching enough yeast and the wort at the right temp.

[Wolfdog]

Thank you once again mate! I'll just have to learn to be patient, sit back and drink some shop bought brews till I have enough bottles to empty my first FV.
If my other two to fail to start over the next day would it be worth adding additional yeast? re your comments about phoning the mis's, I know how you feel ! I just look at the FV sayin' Ferment, come on.... Ferment!!

[Garth]

yeah, I would maybe wait till tomorrow, check the temp, see if there is any activity, if not add another a packet of yeast preferably the same sort.

Make sure you keep the lid on as this is the time when brews can easily get infected as there is no yeast activity.

[Wolfdog]

Will Do!! I shall let you know what happens and the final out come of the brew.
thanks again.
Now its time to have an ale or three