About to set a brew away, last minuite Q's

[winka]

Hi all.

Im just about to set away a John Bull IPA and have a few last minuite questions.

I got a bag of Beer kit enhancer to use instead of sugar, when and how do I add this, do I mix it with hot water and add before/after the beer kit or just add it once the kits in in powder form. (I know it has instructions but find a lot of the time they arnet neccisarrilay the best and differ from an experienced brewers choice)

It says in the kit to leave to ferment between 4-8 days, is it just best to leave for the 8 days.

When to take a starting Hydrometer reading ie put all the ingredients in then do it?

The use of a beer finings, is it a good thing or just leave it? I plan on fermenting then transfering to another fermentor to prime and then bottle straight away.

I think thats about it.

Cheers, hope for some speey replies as I want to start this afternoon/evening once ive bottled my wine.

[jonnymorris]

Beer kit enhancer is just a mix of dry malt extract and sugar so use it in the same way as you would your sugar, i.e. disolve it in some boiled water and add it to your kit along with the wort from the tins.

Rather than 4 or 8 days, I'd leave it for 2 weeks. Patience is everything.

And finally, take a hydrometer reading once you've made it up to 40 pints (or whatever the full volume is).

I've not used finings but, if you're patient (see above), it won't make much difference.

Best of luck.

[eddy31384]

1. I add mine after the hot water
2. 8 days is very short, normally 10 days is better.
3. take the reading before adding the yeast.
4. I have used finings before but now just tend to let it clear natural.

[winka]

Ok thanks for replies guys.
Think I'll split the difference and give it 12 days,
Hydrometer before yeast noted thanks for that, really wasnt sure.
Still not sure about the BKE lol, like I say seem to be a lot of differing ways to do it.Instructions say add the can of beer kit, then add the bag of BKE before adding any water.
Dont think I'll bother with the finnings.

[Geezah]

2 weeks in primary, the rack to second fv, prime and bottle.

I had a taste of the John Bull IPA in my local home brew shop and it was a most excellent beer. Very refreshing.

[winka]

Good that's what I like to hear.
I just tipped the bag of bke onto the syrupy beer kit then added the hot watr and stirred.
I took a sg and it seems really low at 1.032 meaning I'm only going to get about 3.5 percent which I'm a little dissapointed with but guess this was a trade off for using a enhancer?. Might try using brewing sugar next time.

How long before I see the signs of fermentation? Its been in the primary tub about 3 hours. Will it be a day or so before I start seeing bubbles?

Well that's my first beer set away and first wine bottled. Really enjoying this new hobby

Cheers

[mrmojorisin]

Worth noting that most of us brew short to 20l, thus improving flavour and body etc as well as keeping up alcohol level. It's really not worth using brewing sugar for ale, BKE is the bare minimum for producing acceptable beer, if you're still bothered about upping th alcohol or want a more malty taste jars of holland and Barrett malt extract are worth considering.

[winka]

Thanks I'll keep that Holland and Barret suggestion in mind for next time.

I prefer a drink of at least 4% to be honest.

Nevermind as long as its nice is the main thing

[Geezah]

That does sound a low OG... heres hoping its not correct.

I always brew a kit to 20l rather than the stated 23l. You could always zapp 300-400g of sugar in 1/2l of water in the microwave, desolve the sugar and let it cool then add it to the FV to upp the ABV

[winka]

The kit says it should finish at 1.006 so yeah its low. Ive read on other forums and internetty things that it could be incorrect, Its the first time Ive taken a Hydrometer reading so no doubt Ive done something wrong lol. The sample I took seemed to be loads of bubbles and foam and not clear liquid so that may have been a reason. Also I have read that if its taken from the top which I did then it could be a bit thin compared to near the bottom.

Anyway, lessons learned for next time.