First Batch Underway.. Youngs Brew Buddy

[ColBigAl]

Hi folks...
Started my first home brew 3 days ago, A Youngs Brew Buddy Bitter. I'm very excited about my new "career", ok, hobby.. So I thought I'd start off with something basic, see how it goes.
I've just got a few questions and observations...

SG on Tuesday was 1040.. as far as I know, this is right.

Measured it today, was down to 1016, and it's started to smell like beer :thumb: ,
however there's no evidence of "bubbles".. is that a problem?
Also, there's some sticky residue on the outside of my vat, like it has somehow leaked out of the lid.
The temperature of the beer is 17 C.. Is that a bit low? I've wrapped some newspapers and sheets round the vat in the hope of warming it up.
Lastly, I've lifted the vat onto some newspapers today, is the sloshing around of the drink likley to do any damage?

Thanks in advance for any answers, or other tips.

Big AL

 

[richc]

Hi folks...
Started my first home brew 3 days ago, A Youngs Brew Buddy Bitter. I'm very excited about my new "career", ok, hobby.. So I thought I'd start off with something basic, see how it goes.
I've just got a few questions and observations...

SG on Tuesday was 1040.. as far as I know, this is right.

Measured it today, was down to 1016, and it's started to smell like beer :thumb: ,
however there's no evidence of "bubbles".. is that a problem?
Also, there's some sticky residue on the outside of my vat, like it has somehow leaked out of the lid.
The temperature of the beer is 17 C.. Is that a bit low? I've wrapped some newspapers and sheets round the vat in the hope of warming it up.
Lastly, I've lifted the vat onto some newspapers today, is the sloshing around of the drink likley to do any damage?

Thanks in advance for any answers, or other tips.

Big AL

That all sounds fine, go and have a beer ;-)

Temperature wise it would be good if you can get it up by a degree or two but not much more than that. If you can't then don't worry to much, it might just take a little longer to finish fermenting but it will still get there...

 

[Moley]

Welcome to the forum :

Your SG is heading in the right direction but it should go a bit further.
The head of froth does subside as things slow down but that doesn't mean the yeasties aren't still working.
Temperature's acceptable, maybe just a little on the cool side, 20°C would be better.
Give the outside of the bucket a wipe with a damp sponge, leakage can happen.
A bit of sloshing won't hurt, but you shouldn't be stirring air into it.

Only other tip is to ignore anything which the kit says about timings, they are usually over-optimistic. Give it at least a week in the bucket and preferably longer. 10-14 days is better.

 

[broadfordbrewer]

Welcome to the forum BigAl :thumb:
Nothing to add to the advice of Rich and Moley :)

 

[bungouk]

Welcome to the forum i started with a youngs brew kit but it was a lager kit. Yours sounds like it is fermenting as it should where abouts have you got your brew going? i have mine in the kitchen as it is the warmest place in my house.

 

[ColBigAl]

Thanks folks, mines in the garage... Not allowed indoors, hence the low temperature.
I'm gonna try a lager kit next, once the bitter is fermented. Have got
a barrel for the bitter, but might get bottles
for the lager to put in the fridge, although I'm a bit
concerned about them exploding and flying glass everywhere.
I'll have to research how this can be avoided!

 

[bungouk]

Maybe you should think about getting a heating band to help heat your brew if you can afford it im not sure where you get these from maybe another member of this forum could help.