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Dog Rough

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I have recently starting brewing using a brewing kit. The brew was started on Sunday 18th and is giving off plenty of gas (the house stinks of beer! :lol: ) but the brew hasn’t developed a frothy head as described on the instructions. The weather has been particularly cold but I have got a heat belt constantly on the brew (the brew is in an upstairs bedroom).

I am hoping for some advice – will the brew still be ok or what do I need to do to improve it?

Cheers
 
i'm assuming you mean whilst it's in the fermenter?

i've found frothy yeast heads in fermenters differ with different beers, and i've had the odd one that doesn't froth at all. my ciders only have a very small amount of yeast head only for the second day of ferment, then it fades to nothing.

if you can see or hear the bubbles rising, and the smell of co2 when you stick your head in and have a sniff is strong, it's working :thumb:

getting a hydrometer will tell you more about what your brew is doing while it's fermenting ;)

if your on about it's lack of head when pouring from the keg this could be down to the type of beer, or how much (or little) priming sugar you used.
 
Hi D R, What type of kit is it you're brewing? The instructions with kits apply to the whole range from that maker usually though the individual kits may use different yeast. You may have a bottom fermenting yeast in which case you may not see a yeast head at all.

Have you got a hydrometer? If so, did you test the pre ferment gravity and compare it to what it's at now.
Kits usually ferment in around 7-10 days, but some yeast can be finished in 2 (S04) being an example)
 
Thanks Brewstew - Yes it's still in the fermenter (one of the plastic busket types with a tap at the bottom). There was a small head on at first and then, like you say, it has disappeared to nothing.

I have been out today and got a hydrometer so i'll check that tonight - i didn't check this at the start of the brewing process

The beer i'm brewing is a Toohey's traditional real ale

Shall I leave it a few more days to see what happens?

The instructions said it would be ready for bottling when the froth dies down
 
There can be several reasons for a yeast head going but usually it indicates that the main work of the yeast is over.
The original gravity/starting gravity (OG or SG) of the kit should be in th instructions, it should also tell you what final gravity (FG) to expect. Lots of kit users have found that the kit yeast never fully attenuates (reaches the stated FG)
You may find your kit finishes a few points above the kit instructions, don't worry about it.

Most kits stop fermenting in 7-10 days, I'd definately recommend leaving it 7 days.
The yeast is still mopping up by products of fermentation for a few days after it has reached a final gravity.

To check if you beer is finished you should get the same hydrometer reading over 24 hours :thumb:
 
Cheers Vossy 1 - think i'm being over cautious, i'll take a reading tonight and then leave it until sunday (7 days) and keep an eye on it until then, before making any rash decisions!
 
Checked my brew closely last night - there is plenty of activity in the form of loads of very small bubbles so I think things are still taking their course.

Fingers crossed all is not lost and i'll be :drink: shortly!

Cheers for your help
 

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