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[FrenchBullBrewer]

Hi
This is my first post. Have wanted to get into Homebrewing for a while now so over Christmas I got home brew equipment that can get me started for doing kits. I thought this would help for me to gain confidence before deciding to moved on to full grain mash and upping the cost of this hobby. To that end 10 days ago I started a Mangrove Jacks American IPA using malt enhancer and West COast Yeast. I followed instructions and it has been left under the stairs at around 18 to 20 degrees. Stupidly and because I just followed instructions I did not take an OG....I have had absolutely no airlock activity. That said after seven days I took SG and found it was 1.020 which was level to dry hop. When I took lid off there was still a bubbly foam on top but because I had opened dry hops (another mistake) I sprinkled them on top. Three days later I took SG again and it is now 1.012 which is bang on FG. I realise I have to take another reading tomorrow to confirm fermentation has stopped but a quick peek (through the airlock) still shows a bubbly foam. The question therefore if SG is same tomorrow then should I bottle or leave it until foam has gone ?
Sorry for long post but trying to give members as much info as I can

 

[stephen1546]

I usually take readings over 3 days then bottle if readings are the same, perhaps it is still fermenting albeit slowly. If in doubt just leave it alone for a couple of days. Im a relative newbie too and have forgotten to take initial readings in the past so dont worry too much. I hop towards the end of fermentation for 4 days or so. Good luck.

 

[Clint]

You've done nothing wrong...people usually wait at least a fortnight for fermentation to finish but it can take a bit longer. It's done when it's done! Try again in a few days then you can think of bottling or kegging. The foam on top,krausen,subsides after fermentation but residues can still hand around and are nothing to worry about. You can get a rough estimate of your abv by putting your liquid malt/kit weight into a brew software calculator.

 

[FrenchBullBrewer]

Thanks guys

I take it home brew kits such as MJ's should be followed roughly. I can leave until weekend I guess and see where things are. I don't know whether I should have, but I took a swig of my sample. It tasted like a flat beer and quite bitter to taste and although I got the hop smell I couldn't get it in the taste. I assume with carbonation, more conditioning and being served chilled will improve the final product ?
Has anyone used this kit and rated it.?

 

[Clint]

Yeah...taste it! But don't tip it back! You're right... Carbonation and conditioning...and time will make it into what it should be!

 

[terrym]

I'm with @Clint. And If you make kits up using malt extract and perhaps sugar as supplied the OG will be as predicted unless you brew short (higher OG) compared to the suggested made up volume. In AG however the OG is subject to a number of factors and can be different from predicted. But the OG is secondary to the later SG readings (unless you really really want to know the ABV) since that is usually the best indicator of whether the beer is ready to dry hop or has finished and is ready to bottle exactly as you have found out.
And beer from the FV can often be completely different to the finished product

 

[Rodcx500z]

Hi the first thing I learned about kits is throw the instructions in the bin they are a selling point (make 40 pints in 3 weeks) the advice I got on here was 2+2+2, if you follow the advice given by some very learned brewers on here your beer will be good, I started kits last may I now do ag with very good results I have started to find my feet more and am experimenting more and more, happy brewing

 

[FrenchBullBrewer]

I hear you guys
Sorry if I don't get it but what is 2x2x2 ?

Unfortunately I did dry hop with pellets three days ago and am worried if I leave beer in primary fermenter too long to clear then I may get these grassy flavours I have read about.

 

[Keats]

2+2+2 is 2 weeks fermenting, 2 weeks in the bottle to carbonate at room temp (approx 20 degrees), 2 weeks conditioning at a cooler temperature - a cellar is ideal if you have one. This is only a guide though. Sometimes it can take longer to ferment out or to carbonate. Different types of beers have different conditioning times e.g. strong Belgian beers can take over 6 months to come good.

There was another thread recently about duration of dry hopping. Some people have never had grassy flavours even after dry hopping for over a week.

https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/how-long-do-you-dry-hop-and-how-hot.85215/#post-870281

 

[The Baron]

Always give the yeast time to clean up after fermentation as finished this will to clean/get rid of those nasty aftertastes that can be left behind by the fermentation process hence the 2 weeks in the FV is pretty much the advice most will give you apart from that you have done well for first attempt and I am sure it will turn out fine

 

[FrenchBullBrewer]

Thanks Guys for the positive and helpful replies. I will be sure to post in around 3-4 weeks time when I crack my first one open !!!!!