Complete Novice HELP ME !!!!

RLGMIlson · May 11, 2017

hello
bought Wilkos Cerveza, followed instructions.

so far in bucket since sunday, 4 days

hydrometer arrived today ive not used it yet though.

instructions suggested 4/5 days before transferring to vessel, should i leave it longer?

i want it at least 4.5%

tips anyone,

thanks in advance.

henteaser · May 11, 2017

RLGMIlson said:
hydrometer arrived today ive not used it yet though.

tips anyone,

Use your hydrometer.

If it's between 1.008 - 1.014, you're nearly done.

Wait 2 more days, test again. If it's the same, it's ready.

Always go off the gravity, not time.

Godsdog · May 11, 2017

You will never have an accurate ABV if you didn't take an OG,what fermentable did you add to the kit? At 4 days in it is nowhere finished 10 days minimum,patience my friend

simon12 · May 11, 2017

I would leave it a week longer than the instructions say or until the hydrometer readings are the same for at least 48 hours. I would expect a kit like this if you added 1Kg sugar as per the instructions to finish around 1.003-4 without knowing the SG before fermentation started its not possible to tell the ABV but those kits will normally need an extra 500-1000g of fermentables (sugar,brew sugar or DME) to get to 4.5% which you could add now but will have to leave it for longer to let that ferment out.

RLGMIlson · May 11, 2017

simon12 said:
I would leave it a week longer than the instructions say or until the hydrometer readings are the same for at least 48 hours. I would expect a kit like this if you added 1Kg sugar as per the instructions to finish around 1.003-4 without knowing the SG before fermentation started its not possible to tell the ABV but those kits will normally need an extra 500-1000g of fermentables (sugar,brew sugar or DME) to get to 4.5% which you could add now but will have to leave it for longer to let that ferment out.

shall i add another 1lb or 2 lb sugar (bog standard stuff we put in tea coffee)

simon12 · May 11, 2017

Adding plain sugar will increase the ABV but nothing else 1 can kits benefit alot if you can get some DME if you have time to get to Wilko this http://www.wilko.com/homebrew-accessories+equipment/muntons-spray-malt-light-500g/invt/0318924 but it all you want is higher ABV the just plain sugar is fine, roughly 19g per litre adds 1% ABV.

Grizzly299 · May 11, 2017

RLGMIlson said:
shall i add another 1lb or 2 lb sugar (bog standard stuff we put in tea coffee)

The only other fermentables you need to add will be priming sugar.

Check out my blog, there are some good tips there for new brewers. Link is in my sig

RLGMIlson · May 11, 2017

simon12 said:
Adding plain sugar will increase the ABV but nothing else 1 can kits benefit alot if you can get some DME if you have time to get to Wilko this http://www.wilko.com/homebrew-accessories+equipment/muntons-spray-malt-light-500g/invt/0318924 but it all you want is higher ABV the just plain sugar is fine, roughly 19g per litre adds 1% ABV.

put the whole bag in and leave a further week?

chub1 · May 11, 2017

Instructions are invariably very optomistic with regards to how long the beer will take to ferment. Four days is very early. 10 /14 days is more like it.
Don't sling in any more sugar.

Godsdog · May 11, 2017

RLGMIlson said:
shall i add another 1lb or 2 lb sugar (bog standard stuff we put in tea coffee)

so are you saying you didn't add any other sugar fermentables with the can?if yes don't add more if NO then you must

RLGMIlson · May 11, 2017

Godsdog said:
so are you saying you didn't add any other sugar fermentables with the can?if yes don't add more if NO then you must

just 1kg of sugar

Godsdog · May 11, 2017

RLGMIlson said:
just 1kg of sugar

don't add any more table sugar as itll give you an over sweet homebrew twang of a finish

chub1 · May 11, 2017

Godsdog said:
so are you saying you didn't add any other sugar fermentables with the can?if yes don't add more if NO then you must

Good shout.
I assume if the fella followed the instructions then he has added the sugar!

terrym · May 11, 2017

@RLGMIlson
As others have said don't dump any more sugar into your brew, the kit only has 1.5kg liquid malt to start with. If you added 1kg table sugar as well as the kit and brewed to 23 litres your original gravity should be about 1.036 (using the calculator). That will give you an OG of about 4% dependant on the yeast and other factors.
Personally I would leave it as it is now but if you really want to increase the OG to about 4.5% add a 1lb jar of Holland and Barrett Liquid Malt Extract. If you add dried malt extract (DME) it may not dissolve properly.
Whatever you do, leave it alone for at least another week or even 10 days before you take the first SG reading.
This may be of help as well
Basic beginners guide to brewing your own beer from a kit - The HomeBrew Forum

RLGMIlson · May 12, 2017

I'll go for the holland and Barrett option
Thanks

RLGMIlson · May 12, 2017

ive attached hydrometer reading, what do you experts think!!!!

henteaser · May 12, 2017

Depends on whether you just want "beer" or the chance of it being good beer.

- Do you taste any diacetyl? (it's like butter popcorn)
- Do you taste any acetaldehyde? (vegetal, pumpkin, grassy)
- Is the gravity still dropping? (if you check again in 2 days is it still 1.009?)

If any of the above, leave it alone and let the yeast finish their job.

Or, if you're not too bothered about these things and just want to get drunk, bottle it :)

terrym · May 12, 2017

The only change to my advice above is that it may be too late to add the H&B malt extract, since it may stick (i.e. not ferment any more) at the higher gravity if you do add it.
So the rest of the advice from me and others remains which is to now leave it alone - that means leave it alone with the lid on - for at least a week better ten days and then take an SG reading which may be a little less than what you have at present. It should be well and truly done by then and should be clearing or even apparently clear, which means you get less yeast in your bottles but still enough to carbonate.

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