had a bit of a brew day (inc pics)

[CheshireCBR]

so now that I have bottled my lager and have a bit of space I thought I best get another brew on

so had a bit of time this morning so got a few bits done

so I started with this lot which includes a Brewmaker export bitter kit which to add to it I had got some medium malt extract, but to add to this I was doing some TC so made some seriously strong tea (yes I know its in the wrong bit but made them all at the same time )

and while that was brewing I put the can of syrup into some boiling water to thin it down a bit

so the next step was to sterilize everything and then I got the malt extract and mixed it up with some boiling water (3L) to get it all into a liquid state

I forgot how much I missed that maltings smell from when I was living in burton-on-trent :lol:

so then I emptied the can of concentrate into my FV

then emptied in the malt extract and gave it all a good mixing

then topped it up to the 5 gallon mark with the bottled water (I only wanted the bottles as new DJ's and its a shame to waist the water :lol: )

at this point it was just under 14 degrees so took a hydrometer reading which was 1.035 so will convert that in a bit, added the yeast and another mix then on with the lid and air trap ready to go into its resting place

so then it was back to the cider, in with the now cold tea

plus a tea spoon of yeast nutrient then topped up with 4.5L of apple juice

then the same with the other one, then on with the caps and air traps and put into there resting place for the fermentation

then just one more pic of everything tucked away

 

[chrisjj]

nice one :thumb:

 

[Andyhull]

Busy few hours there, exellent :hat:

 

[joe1002]

Looks like a successful day :thumb:

 

[CheshireCBR]

Cheers guys, they are all nicely fermenting away :) got to keep a stock going :lol:

 

[Scott]

Got to love a multiple brew day!

:thumb:

 

[CheshireCBR]

Well they are all fermenting away nicely, the ciders I can see into and there is lots of activity, nothing through the air traps, but I did try fitting grommets into the lids rather than using a larger hole and a bung so they must be loosing Co2 from round them so will swap them for larger holes when I next use them, the bitter is the same with nothing through the air trap but had a sneaky peek and it is bubbling away nicely so will see how that goes, just need to get some of this lot into a drinkable state, was working out earlier I have got 19 gallons of home brew of different types in different stages but nothing ready to drink

 

[ScottM]

Looks like a good day was had.

Did I read right that you pitched at 14 degrees though? That's a no-no unless you have made a HUGE starter and want to brew low.

Ideally you want to be pitching around 24 degrees while falling? Or was it a typo? The yeast might struggle to get going fully and could stall, or take longer to ferment out.

 

[CheshireCBR]

Yes it was at 14 degrees, didnt know that was too low I know that fermentation should be a bit higher but just thought it would be a bit slower starting, this is only my second beer kit so still learning, have done a few wines but there has been more boiling water in them and normally had to wait for them to cool before pitching the yeast

 

[ScottM]

Yes it was at 14 degrees, didnt know that was too low I know that fermentation should be a bit higher but just thought it would be a bit slower starting, this is only my second beer kit so still learning, have done a few wines but there has been more boiling water in them and normally had to wait for them to cool before pitching the yeast

Once it gets up to temp I'm sure it'll come good. As long as it keeps on bubbling you shouldn't have anything to worry about. The initial pitch is the most important time, hence why the temperature is fairly important, as this is the time that your wort is most vunerable. You want your yeast to be taking control of the fermetnation rather than any wild yeasts, so it's important to give your guys as good a head start as possible. This is the reason for a large starter when pitching at a lower temp, as it'll take your boys longer to get going so the more of them there are the better.

I would have thought the instructions would have mentioned the best pitching temp?

Anyway, live and learn... I'm sure it'll be fine :)

 

[CheshireCBR]

It did say 20-22 degrees, but like you say its one to keep remember for next time it is bubbling away nicely now, really do need to sort a way of warming up where all my FV's are as it has an ambient temp of about 18 degrees which I know is a little cool but at least its a constant temp, I was using bottled water at room temp (as I wanted the bottles as DJ's ) but will remember to boil some of it up for next time, the instructions just said to use tap water but after reading on here that the chlorine itsnt the best I will start treating the water first and getting it up to temp first

 

[ScottM]

I always used bottled water previously, but my last 3 brews have been done with tap water with no negative side effects. I always boil 3L with a campden tablet though.

Next time, if you're using bottled water, simply top up to the 20L mark and see where you're at. If the temp is low, chuck in a mug full of boiling water. Keep doing so till the temp is around what you are after and then top up to 23L.

 

[CheshireCBR]

I always used bottled water previously, but my last 3 brews have been done with tap water with no negative side effects. I always boil 3L with a campden tablet though.

Next time, if you're using bottled water, simply top up to the 20L mark and see where you're at. If the temp is low, chuck in a mug full of boiling water. Keep doing so till the temp is around what you are after and then top up to 23L.

: for that mate will do, like you said its all a learning curve I will get there one day :lol:

 

[joe1002]

Or leavet it at 20l if you have the right temperature. You will get a slightly stronger, fuller bodied beer :thumb:

 

[CheshireCBR]

Looks like a good day was had.

Did I read right that you pitched at 14 degrees though? That's a no-no unless you have made a HUGE starter and want to brew low.

Ideally you want to be pitching around 24 degrees while falling? Or was it a typo? The yeast might struggle to get going fully and could stall, or take longer to ferment out.

I will correct my last few comments :lol: just checked my notes and it was a typo, the yeast was pitched at 24 degrees not 14

 

[ScottM]

Looks like a good day was had.

Did I read right that you pitched at 14 degrees though? That's a no-no unless you have made a HUGE starter and want to brew low.

Ideally you want to be pitching around 24 degrees while falling? Or was it a typo? The yeast might struggle to get going fully and could stall, or take longer to ferment out.

I will correct my last few comments :lol: just checked my notes and it was a typo, the yeast was pitched at 24 degrees not 14

That makes more sense