Munton's Smugglers Ale

[Portreath]

Hi all

I'm new to the forum, so firstly I would like to say a big hello to everyone here. I have a question regarding a munton's smugglers ale I have on the go. It's been fermenting now for 15 days, and looking at the air bubbles from the airlock it's still going slowly. The instructions state that the beer should be ready to go into the barrel after 7 days. Is this normal for a brew to ferment for so long, and is it safe to siphon off into the barrel now?

Thanks

 

[RichK]

Hello/welcome.

Fermentation times on instructions are notoriously optimistic & airlock activity isn't a great measure of fermentation occurring (I've done several kits where there's been no bubbling at all). Many here will have a "standard" starting point of 2 weeks fermenting (followed by 2 weeks in the warm carbonating followed by 2 weeks in the cool - often referred to as 2+2+2). However, the only real way to tell is to take gravity readings & see if it's constant over a few days and somewhere near the expected final gravity. If you don't have a hydrometer/trial jar, then I'd suggest buying one. They're not a expensive (~£6(?) from Wilkinsons). So yes, 15+ days fermenting is not unreasonable/uncommon.

 

[Clint]

What he said! I've had brews take a month....

 

[WierdFish]

I agree with the above. Don't trust an airlock, always use a hydrometer and NEVER go by what the instructions say.

 

[Portreath]

Thanks for the advice. 2+2+2 sounds like a very useful rule to follow. I've now picked up some more supplies, hydrometer and trial tube included. I can see this new hobby becoming very addictive :-)

 

[pvt_ak]

Thanks for the advice. 2+2+2 sounds like a very useful rule to follow. I've now picked up some more supplies, hydrometer and trial tube included. I can see this new hobby becoming very addictive :-)

2+2+2 best advice I followed !


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[Sandimas]

If you can keep your hands off it for longer it will be better. When I made mine and bottled it, the last few bottles were the best, it benefits from a longish conditioning time.

A great brew though, one of the best kits I've brewed.

 

[Portreath]

Wow, that sound very promising. I taken a reading today and it's at 1.007 which I think will be ever so slightly over the stated 5%, a little sip and smell of the drawn off brew is really nice already. Very excited to see, and taste this one out of the barrel.

 

[LarryF]

1007 is ready to bottle/keg, at that Final Gravity you won't get bottle bombs.

 

[Portreath]

Awesome, thanks for that. I'm guessing once the sprey malt goes into the barrel with the brew there will be more fermentation going on for a while?

 

[Slid]

Awesome, thanks for that. I'm guessing once the sprey malt goes into the barrel with the brew there will be more fermentation going on for a while?

That's right. Once the yeast settles, the beer should pour clear and be drinkable. I don't use kegs any more, but I don't think it keeps as long in a keg because of the risk of air bubbling in when the pressure drops.

 

[Portreath]

Thanks Slid, if it turns out as good as it sounds it won't be in the keg for too long.

 

[StFlipper]

I brewed this kit very recently and found the timings in the instructions were pretty much spot on, but I guess that temperature and probably the water used are going to affect the fermentation time to some extent. Mine started at 1.050, fermented at just over 20C, was at 1.014 on day 5, and 1.012 on day 10 when I bottled it. After 2 weeks in the bottle it was pretty much clear. Hopefully taking it down to 1.007 won't have stripped out too much of the malty body, which to my mind is one of its selling points.

A very tasty beer though, and a nice change from the all conquering IPAs. Also I like the fact that the Muntons Handcrafted kits have the malt in tins rather than pouches. At least with a tin you can see if there's any malt left in it, and can swish a bit of hot water around to get every last bit of malt.

 

[Portreath]

Agreed, I do like to get every last bit of goodness out, and the cans are great for this. I barreled mine at 1.008, and just drawn a little off and the taste is excellent, not cleared though, but boy if it tastes this good now, in a week or two it should be hansome. Side note, I've just ordered another Smugglers kit along with a beerworks Uncle Teddies bitter.