Fermentation finished?

[Chickpeanut]

Hi guys.

Another day, another question from this newbie...

My brew has been in the fv for 19 days (the room was only around 17 or 18 degrees, so yes 19 days!) and it seems to have stopped. I'm getting gravity readings of around 1.012 or 1.010, as the hydometer I have seems not to sink properly in the container tube it came with. I wish they'd have made the container tube 2mm wider, it would have made it easier. The gravity reading has been the same now for at least 3 days...

... but of couse I'm paranoid about exploding bottles. Is it ok to bottle at this gravity and just use a bit less sugar in bottling?

I have read the how to guides, but I'm still reluctant to commit to any action without checking with someone first. Other than this gravity problem, the brew smells fine, albeit a bit bland at the moment.

Thanks anyone who can help me with some advice.

Tom

 

[fbsf]

1.012 and below is fine for bottling, especially if it's been the same for a few days.

I would bottle with the normal amount of sugar for the brew (4g/L for an ale, up to 8g/L for a lager) - it should be absolutely fine. Just remember to leave it a week in the warm then out to condition for at least two weeks in the cold.

You say it smells a bit bland - what brew is it?

 

[Chickpeanut]

Thanks for the advice. It's a Cooper's IPA made up with 1kg of extract up to a total volume of around 22 litres. I'll bottle tomorrow. Thanks.

 

[LeedsBrewer]

as fbsf said get it bottled, it'll be fine. I did the coopers IPA for my first one and also thought it was a little bland. I was happy with it for a first attempt though. It also gets better after 6 weeks in the bottle.

Then get your next brew started. I'd recommend the Woodforde's Wherry. That's definately not a bland pint :thumb:

 

[Chickpeanut]

Thanks guys. I'll be happy with any decent outcome from what is, after all my first venture into brewing. No offence meant to any Cooper's IPA fans out there, it smells and tastes ok... just a wee bit lacking in "oomph" if you know what I mean. I will def try the wherry next time.

Tom

 

[carl_saint]

Like Leedsbrewer says, it will come good if you leave it long enough in the bottle. The hardest part about brewing kits is having to leave it to condition for at least 4 weeks in the bottle. But trust me its worth it!

 

[the-erl]

As long as the reading has stayed the same for 2 or 3 days then it's time to bottle :party: then wait .
If you sterilise your hydrometer you can put it straight into your brew, saves wasting any beer. Or yoiu could buy a a different trial jar, Ive seen them at homebrew shops, they're a little bigger and made of glass.

Let us know how your beer turns out.

Erl :drink: