Norfolk Nog

[lollypopp]

I'm about to start my brew, my first one ever, think I've got everything ready, but I do have a question or two?????
I've managed to fit, using a rubber seal and a rubber bug, a fish tank heater, have ran it in the FV for a couple of days, using tap water only! and it as stayed a steady 22c, will this be ok? and as I've only got the yeast that came with the kit, would it make sense to put it in some warm sugar solution before opening the two tins, to check the yeast is going to be ok???

[PureGuiness]

Personally I would say yes and yes. 22oC should be ok - I know the instructions on these usually say 18oC is optimum but I have found that these kits seem to like it a bit warmer.

I would say it is good practice to rehydrate the yeast to make a starter for the wort before it is pitched. You can check that the yeast is lively and it gets everything off to a good start.

I'll be putting a Norfolk Nog on at the weekend too. This time I'm going to try with S-04 yeast.

Happy Brewing!

[RichardG]

In answer to your questions, yes 22c is fine, though slightly lower (18 - 20c) is better if you can adjust your heater (I also use a fish tank heater which has been fine!). It's usually preferable to replace kit yeast with a better one such as Safale S-04 as the quality and age can be an issue, but I started with kit yeasts and they were fine. Rehydrating is a good idea as it will confirm that the yeast is viable. However, if not, do you have a spare? Also rehydrate it in cooled pre-boiled water only. It seems it's not such a good idea to add sugar or spray malt when rehydrating. Hope this helps.

[joel_m]

Hi i'm only on my second brew but I've done a woodfordes wherry as my first and that Brewed fine at probably an average of 21-22degC.
i didn't do anything to my yeast for either the wherry or my great eastern that is in the FV now (both kit yeasts). I just aerated, pitched it in and gave it a stir, then covered it and left it. When the wherry stopped bubbling i gave it a very gentle swirl by rotating the fv left and right so's not to get any air into it, then off it went bubbling away again for a couple more days.
I'm not sure it would have long enough it the sugar solution for you to be able to tell. I kept after reading this forum a spare pack of safeale (although it is 05 not 04 as they had sold out) yeast in my fridge just incase.
My second brew so far is no where as lively as my first so i might get some yeast vit tomorrow just incase it grind to a hault.
You would probably be better served with a reply from someone with alot more experience than me (not to mention I added too much water to my first brew)
But I hope my experience helps!

[lollypopp]

Sounds all ok, so getting the yeast going is good! so I boil a little water, let it cool down, add no sugar, and this will be ok to start the yeast, well assuming it's viable of course?

[PureGuiness]

Remember to sterilise the container that you start the yeast in. I use a measuring jug. Pour some boiling water in and leave it to cool (around 30oC should do it). Add the yeast and and cover with some cling film and leave it for about 30 mins. The yeast should be starting off by that time. Pour into your cooled wort and give it a stir. I think some people will add a little sugar or wort to the yeast starter but I don't bother.

[lollypopp]

Thanks Pureguiness, RichardG and joel-m, just got the ole girl on her way, been at it since 8pm, and now sat here writing this drinking a bottle of Stella I'm sure I'll be back for more advice in the not to distant future, and hopefully you lads will be there to help I have to say, the mix smelt like heaven!!!

[lollypopp]

Morning! Right it's been fermenting for two days nearly, my fish heater is set at 21/22c, but it went up to 23/24 and as now settled down to 21c, is that normal?
Next question; Whan do I take a hydrometer reading and what should (or thereabouts) it read? sorry to keep running up here with these silly questions, but it's my first atempt and I don't want to drop the ball!
Next question; I'm of to buy my next kit, what would anyone recommend, barring in mind, that I'm a novice! and lastly what yeast should I pick up, and whats the best way to store it?

[OldSpeckledBadger]

It's quite normal to see a temperature increase in the 1st couple of days of fermenting followed by a slight drop back. I probably wouldn't bother taking an SG reading before about the 6th day.

[PureGuiness]

Did you take the reading before pitching the yeast? I got a reading this morning of about 1042 for the OG which seems to me to be about right. I'm aiming for an FG of 1012 which would produce a beer near enough 4.5% as stated on the box. It might be optomistic for a 3kg kit though, although my last 2 kits have both got to 1012.

I used a sachet of Safale S-04 yeast with I rehydrated before pitching and a 1/2 teaspoon of yeast vit and am brewing with a brew belt. I'll see how it goes

This is also the first time that I've treated the water before hand using 1/2 crushed campden tablet.

The initial fermentation in the first couple of days will generate some increase in temperature and would be nothing to get worried about. I think these kits like to start off slightly higher temp anyway and anything below 25oC should be ok.

Leave the testing for FG until atleast 5-7 days. I tend to take the initial gravity measurement after the fermentation has died down in a sample jar using a sterilised hydrometer and then drop the hydrometer into the FV and leave it there to take regular daily measurements until I get a consistent reading over 3 days. Even then I will often leave the brew in the FV for up to the second week before kegging.

[PureGuiness]

My Nog looked remarkably clear this morning so I dropped the hydrometer in to take a reading and it's already dipped under 1014 and still lightly bubbling. The S-04 yeast got working straight away and I missed most of the initial fermentation which occurred Saturday night.

I'm hoping to get down to atleast 1012 on this kit so I'll keep checking over the next few days to see if it will get there. It smells good..... now for the patience part

[lollypopp]

mine started about 9pm on thursday evening last, so I'm going to take a reading tomorrow night, wonder what it will read? it's still bubbling, about one every 20 seconds, so it's slowing down, not sure whether this should worry me or not, but I'm trying to stay cool under the pressure!

[lollypopp]

Sorry about this, but some more questions.
It's the 10th day today, so I think to night I should move it to the pressure barrel? I have to say it's only slightly bubbling, and I didn't get around to taking the OG, I now know how that works, and will do it next time, (one straight back in the FV tonight) would you think tonight would be the time to do this? and once it's in the PB, how long will it need to be in a warm place, before going to a cooler place, and am I right in tipping into the barrel 85grams of Demerara* sugar? think that's it for now, cheers Lawrence....

[Lillywhite]

Check with a SG reading. If it remains constant for a couple of days then it's safe to bottle or keg.

You can then add 85 grams of sugar straight in the keg, no need to stir and then leave in the warm for a minimum of 5 days before moving to somewhere cooler.

[lollypopp]

Just taken the PG, and it reads 1010, so shall I repeat this tomorrow night, and if it reads the same, can I put it in the PB?