Munton's Imperial Stout tips..?

[PhantomPencil]

Hi there. I'm relatively new to this brewing business; still using kits and sugar at the moment but feel certain that I'll soon be trying out new things - many of which that I read on this forum..!

At the moment I have a Munton's Imperial Stout kit bubbling away (yes, yeast is still working!) in the fermenter, and - as my previous three attempts have been exclusively lagers - I was wondering...

a) Should I add any beer finings to the brew at this stage? I've not yet experienced the benefits or otherwise of finings - do you add to a stout..?

b) I intend to bottle this brew into a number of Newkie Brown bottles I have suddenly acquired (how DID that happen? ) - But what should I prime with? Ordinary Tate&Lyle? Or should I invest in some brewing sugar for priming? Or use brown sugar..? Or what..?! Aaaagh! What's the best for Stout..?

c) Is there any more helpful advice I should be made aware of?

d) Will it be ready for Christmas..?

Well, okay maybe the last is a moot point - it'll still get drunk at Christmas! (as will I) - but I'd be very grateful for some help on the finer points of Stouting..!

Many thanks

[PhantomPencil]

DaaB, many thanks for the advice, and the link to the tips page; I collected them all into a handy booklet so I can refer to them when trying to mess up my next brew..!

Wasn't able to bottle this at the weekend as I thought, as the yeast was still busily bubbling away: is this a record for Muntons..? I took a gravity reading and will see what it's doing tonight: if it's calmed down I'll try to bottle it.

And speaking of bottling - I read somewhere that you could prime with Black Treacle for a more 'unusual' flavour. I'm intrigued, but not enough to prime all 40 pints with..! And, having some of the Dark Stuff left over after brewing up some Treacle Ale yesterday, has anyone got any suggestions as to how much treacle should go in per bottle..?

And finally - as there may not be enough hours in the evening to clean and sterilise 40 bottles and then bottle it all, what would the ramifications be if I left the stout in the FV until the wekend..? Would 13 days in the big bin be bad for the brew..?

[mctoon]

Newkie Brown bottles I have suddenly acquired (how DID that happen?

Its bottles of DOG,,,,,,,, bloddy southern heathens

Cheers Mal