Well the Wherry is finally bottled!

[jmcc1889]

I posted a previous topic about having problems with my Wherry
Thanks for all the advice and as stated i finally bottled it this morning.
My problem was that after a week the reading came back at 1018. I gave it a gentle rousing and considered adding fresh yeast etc but decided to give it more time as there was still signs of fermentation although very slow!
This morning was day 19 in the fv! I took a reading which came back at 1015 and fermentation had ground to a halt yesterday so into the bottle it went (fingers crossed)
Can anyone tell me what the actual problems are with these woodfordes kits. Should I discard the packet of yeast that comes with the kit and if so which yeast would you recommend i use instead? Is there anything else I should add at the start to ensure a healthy fermentation process?
I certainly enjoy the finished product with these kits but getting to that stage is somewhat stressful

Thanks again

John

[brysie]

I certainly enjoy the finished product with these kits

well theres your answer kidda.
ive done a few kits meself and the wherry has been the most authentic so far.
and...if youre enjoying the finished product, dont worry too much.
i do however, add a pinch of yeast nutrient just in case.

[davvac]

I had the same issues with my first Woodfordes kit and I bottled it at about 1014. It tasted good, but it didn't get close to the ABV as stated on the kit packaging. I guess this is the issue most people have a gripe with. There are lots of posts on JBK about the Woodfordes kits sticking.

It seems the key things to make sure that the fermentation goes as well as possible (all info gleaned from trawling through JBK I might add) are:

1. Make sure that the kit is well dissolved to prevent some of the extract sludging in the bottom of the FV i.e stir it a lot
2. Try and introduce air into the wort i.e stir it a lot (Although I have found that topping up the wort from my outside tap at mains pressure gives it a good aerating!)
3. Get the temperature right. 18 to 24 degrees or thereabouts seems the norm. I have brewed in a colder room and kept the temp constant (22 deg) by using an aquarium heater (my mate works for Tetra the fish food people - freebie! )
4. If the fermentation stops shy of the expected FG, stir it again. Gently though just to rouse the yeast cake from the bottom back into suspension, you don't want air getting into your beer at this stage.
5. If the rouse doesn't get things moving then adding yeast vit is your next move

Other than the above, I have recently tried a different yeast to that which comes with the kit with good results. Safale 04 is a good bet.

I have a Nelsons Revenge, which is another Woodfordes kit, in the FV now. 5 days on with Safale 04, it has gone from an OG of 1046 down to 1010. This should be around the advertised 5% mark by the time I bottle it.

Glad the Wherry tasted good though!

Dave