having problems with my john bull lager

[ewanm77]

started it last week and never got a cold break now its very cloudy and the top couple of inches are a darkish brown is there anything i can do?

 

[adrianmole72]

Hello,

You won't get a cold break with a kit beer, I think this only happens when the wort is boiled and cooled.

Do you have a photo of the beer in the FV so that we can have a look ?

:

 

[ewanm77]

heres a pic

 

[adrianmole72]

How long has it been in the FV ?

I usually give them a couple of weeks (ignore the instructions) - That doesnt look too bad to me; patience is the thing in this game :thumb:

Stephen

 

[ewanm77]

been in for 8 days i tested it yesterday and poured the sample into glass lest it for ages and it went clear but had a lot of seddement it tasted like a wheat bear

 

[adrianmole72]

I'd still give it a bit longer - if it isn't clearing, you could use finings, but it looks like it's going to be ok :-)

Barrel/bottle it in a week or so, give it a week in the warm, and a couple of weeks in the cool :thumb:

Stephen

 

[ewanm77]

is a barrel better and if it is should i get one that takes a co2 cartrage

 

[adrianmole72]

They're ok - I have one, but never use it, to be honest...

You won't get it as carbed as a pub lager in the barrel, but if you prime the barrel enough, it should be ok. I've found that when I make and barrel ales, I've not needed the co2 injector lid - probably because they don't stay in the barrel long enough !!

 

[ewanm77]

this is my second go at lager did a couple of cider kits and they were dangerouse 8% and didnt taste it.
ive been told that ipa's are a good starter beer to make

 

[adrianmole72]

Also, the Woodefordes kits are good - I did Wherry before I went AG, and that was nice - there are loads of how-to's on here for AG as well - is this a route you're thinking of in the future, or are you happy with kits ?

 

[ewanm77]

still learning with the kits trying to build a stockpile for the summer
going to try more complicated things later in the year hopefully

 

[adrianmole72]

Stockpiling is a good idea - I've never tried a kit IPA, but I've tried a kit strawberry wheat beer, which was awesome

 

[ewanm77]

thinking about getting another fv so i can do a different brew
the one ive got its part of a coopers kit hasnt got a fermentation lock should i fit one?

 

[adrianmole72]

You don't need one.. my latest brew doesn't have one, because the two I have are in my demijohns !

Another FV is a good idea, as is getting one brew ahead - have one batch conditioning, and one fermenting. Repeat until you have sufficient supplies :thumb: