Currently have a batch of John Bull Brown Ale fermenting which has been going for about 10 days now. Repitched it at the weekend after lack of action after which it kicked into life. I have been taking hydro readings last few days it seems to be at about 1005. However there are still plenty of bubbles rising. How long shall i leave it.
Other question is I made a volume of 32 instead of 40. Did'nt think of taking an initial reading. What would be a rough estimate? Just for the purposes of calculating the volume.
I am also debating whether to use brewing sugar or DME for the next stage. Will I gain anything by using DME flavour wise, will it add anything to the taste and body. Or shall i stick with the brewing sugar.
Apologies for the questions I am quite a rookie!
Conditioning: John Bull London Porter
Fermenting : John Bull Brown Ale
Pipeline: Geordie Bitter
How long shall i leave it...
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sparky Paul
Don't worry about asking questions, it's the best way to find out what it's all about!
First of all, it's probably finished at 1005, but I wait for three days of steady gravity readings before assuming it's finished.
I assume your initial kit was a 1.8Kg can and you added 1Kg of sugar. If you made it up to only 4 gallons, your Starting Gravity would probably have been near 1050 - so with a Final Gravity of 1005, you should have a ABV around 6%...
Using DME instead of brewing sugar, you will notice an improvement in the 'mouthfeel' of the beer, it will not be as thin. The flavour will be much better, with more malt evident, and you should lose that 'homebrew' taste. One other thing to note is that your FG will be higher, typically between 1010 & 1015, so the ABV will end up a little lower.
First of all, it's probably finished at 1005, but I wait for three days of steady gravity readings before assuming it's finished.
I assume your initial kit was a 1.8Kg can and you added 1Kg of sugar. If you made it up to only 4 gallons, your Starting Gravity would probably have been near 1050 - so with a Final Gravity of 1005, you should have a ABV around 6%...
Using DME instead of brewing sugar, you will notice an improvement in the 'mouthfeel' of the beer, it will not be as thin. The flavour will be much better, with more malt evident, and you should lose that 'homebrew' taste. One other thing to note is that your FG will be higher, typically between 1010 & 1015, so the ABV will end up a little lower.
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goochio
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sparky Paul
Probably due to the use of Beer Kit Enhancer in the ferment, it's half sugar.goochio wrote:What about using the DME for conditioning. Will it improve the taste. I have dome dark DME and also some brewing sugar.
Up until now I have always used Beer enhancement kit for ferment and normal sugar for conditioning. But I have always had a tang - for want of a better word!
The amount of sugar you use to prime is so small, it makes no difference unless you use a strongly flavoured sugar like black treacle. Personally, I always use brewer's sugar to prime, but 100% Spraymalt in the brew.