Hi. Well needed help!

Matthbrew · May 21, 2012

Hi.
My second attempt at brewing lager is now 4 days in. My hydrometer readings from yesterday and today are the same and the foam has subsided. My first effort seemed to go exactly as planned and as the instructions suggested (now in the fridge, bottled). That very brew went to days 6 & 7 to reach matching hydrometer readings. My second brew has been kept at a slightly higher temperature but I'm still worried that 4 days is too quick for a good fermentation.

So am I worried over nothing or is this bad?

Any help will be much appreciated.

pittsy · May 21, 2012

4 days is defo too quick to be complete , just leave it for another 7 days

ScottM · May 21, 2012

My last cider kit was done in 4 days, strangely. If you check the gravity with a hydrometer that will let you know if it's finished or not.

graysalchemy · May 21, 2012

No yeast needs time to clean up after itself, after it has made the alcohoil it start metabolising some of the by products which can effect flavour especially in beer, Best leave for a few days after you have had a constant reading for 3 days then move somewhere cool to clear before bottling usually another week, that is if you want decent clear beer or cider.

Patience is a virtue.

ScottM · May 21, 2012

Better lucky than good then. I did leave mine for the full 7 but only because I didn't have time to rack it until the weekend. I also left it in the secondary for 2 days before bottling. Clearest cider I've made yet too

graysalchemy · May 21, 2012

With cider you are actually best leaving it in a secondry to mature for 3-6 months and then bottle, failing that let it mature in the bottle for 3-6 months. Cider like wine (and to some extent beer) really does improve with age, sometimes it is quite insipid after it has just brewed but is un recognisable when it has matured.

:thumb:

Matthbrew · May 21, 2012

Thanks all for help. I just wasn't sure if I needed to bottle straight away, or if it's safe to leave in the fermenter. From your messages I gather it's safe. Thanks again, I'll keep going.