Finishing my first ale

[GazOC]

After starting out homebrewing in the winter with a few lager kits I've just finished (I think) fermenting my first ale. I say "I think" because theres still a thick layer of head on the wort whereas my lagers used to settle down and look like a flat pint when they'd finished.

Is this normal for ales?

 

[Moley]

Ales usually settle down and look like a flat pint when they've finished.
Sounds to me like yours hasn't done yet, what was the gravity reading?

 

[GazOC]

OG was 1041, now its 1007 so I guess its at least nearly there? The head on my lagers used to noticeably quieten down towards the end but this one is showing no signs at all of going away.

 

[Moley]

From your signature info. I'm guessing it might be another Cooper's kit as you seem quite keen on them.
If so, that's about right for a final gravity. Leave it for another couple of days. :thumb:

 

[GazOC]

Yep, its a Coopers Aussie Pale Ale with Safale 05 yeast. Its started to die down this morning, I was quite surprised the head was nothing like I'd had using the Salager 23 yeast.

Thanks for your advice. :

 

[evanvine]

Don't worry, these things are not cast in tablets of stone!
Your brew could drop another point or two.
When you get 3 consecutive gravity readings the same, it's finished.

 

[rickthebrew]

The safale US-05 yeast you have used can leave a head for quite a while - but it will tend to dissapear, i`ve seen ales ferment down to 1004 with this yeast, i`d leave it a couple more days :thumb:

 

[GazOC]

Cheers guys. If the hydrometer is correct its currently at 1002 and from the looks of the head looks to be finishing (but not actually finished).

I'm making another Aussie Pale Ale as soon as this one is out of the bucket, maybe less sugar or more spray malt would be a good idea next time? I used 500gs of light spray malt/ 500g brewing sugar for this batch.

 

[GazOC]

Well thats one "mystery" solved, I've tested my hydrometer and its a good 4 or 5 points out!! I guess the paper must have slipped down the tube.