First brew!

[corby_brewer]

hows the brew going?

 

[ash]

Looking good thanks. I think its finished fermenting now, getting a reading on the hydro of 1012, so going to check it again today and think about bottling.

 

[ash]

I think my brew is now ready for bottling; hydrometer reading has been stable for past couple of days and it will have been fermenting for a week tomorrow. However, as i live an hour away from work and have a 15 month old son, my time is limited in the evening. What i was planning to do (as I only have about 30 bottles) was bottle 30 pints and leave 10 pints (ish) to secondary ferment and condition.

Getting to the point, due to the time restraints, is it ok to syphon it into the barrel, prime and leave for a couple of days in the warm before transferring some of it into the bottles for conditioning, or am i better to just leave it in the FV until Saturday when i will have time to do it all at once? Also a bit worried by the heat; at least if i put it in the barrel i can move it somewhere cooler/more consistent in temperature? Although i haven't had any major temperature issues yet a few days of this heat may cause problems.

Also, are there any problems with leaving 10 pints in the barrel and bottling the rest ie would i end up with a load of air in the barrel that is likely to contaminate?

:wha:

 

[corby_brewer]

AFTERNOON ASH.

IF YOU LIVE SNY WHERE NEAR TO CORBY I'VE GOT SOME BOTTLES I CAN LET YOU HAVE.

DS

 

[ash]

No, i actually live in Northampton and work in Oxfordshire, so unfortunately i would not be able to get over to Corby, but thanks anyway. I have a couple of people on the case collecting bottles, so its possible i will have enough by Saturday, but possibly not. Might have to try the local for a few Magners bottles.

I have a few friends who drink lager; are lager bottles suitable, or are they not thick enough and prone to explosion. Also, what about wine bottles (these seem less heavy duty than real ale bottles as well).

 

[falafael]

hi mate, yeah lager bottles are fine, just a pain filling since they are small!!, dont use wine bottles either, as they are not capable of withstanding the pressure, try your local, bottle backs, clubs etc, or some people use the plastic 2 litre pop bottles as well, but you have to drink it all quick i think or it will go flat..in this weather that shouldnt be a problem though!!!

 

[ash]

All bottled up; just playing the waiting game now. Got a turbo cider on the go, which is almost ready then will move onto my next kit which is Milestone IPA, substituting the yeast for So4. Kit should come tomorrow so will be able to get it going during the lunch break in the cricket!

Might do some extract brewing if these two turn out ok.

 

[corby_brewer]

Me thinks you have caught the brew bug Ash :thumb: