New member - razormedia

[razormedia]

Hello,

Brand new to brewing and started with a St. Peter's Cream Stout but was quite surprised about the timings. It says it can be bottled in 4-6 days and then would be ready the week after. Is this normal as I assumed would take much longer.

 

[ManseMasher]

Firstly, welcome to the forum! As for the kit, it can be bottled once fermenting has finished. That might be as short as a week, but I doubt it. Only way to tell is with a hydrometer really. A lot of people go for 2 + 2 + 2 - 2 weeks in fv, 2 weeks in bottles at the same temperature as fermentation, then 2 weeks cooler (10 - 12°c if you have a way to do that).

 

[clibit]

It's not normal and it's not good advice. These kit makers want people to think they can have beer quickly. You should leave it in the fermenter for 2 to 3 weeks, and then it wil be a month in the bottle before it starts to be at its best. It will reach its best after about 3 months in the bottle. I reckon the kit instructions backfire, cos they tell people to bottle and drink their beer before it's ready. Which is bonkers, but it's how it is. How many people try kits and decide not to bother again?

Bad news, in a way, but it's best you understand this, and muster the patience. Once you have made a few brews you wil have a constant supply so the waiting won't be a problem. You can brew every 2 to 3 weeks, when the FV is free.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Welcome to the forum :

 

[razormedia]

Thanks for the advice. I have 2 FV so waiting isn't an issue, wanted the best advice really and would prefer a nicer stout than a rushed one.
I'll use the hydrometer but won't lifting the lid add oxygen to the brew?

 

[ThunderAle]

Welcome to the forum Razormedia.

I agree with some of the chaps here, you need to take it easy and let nature do the work.

I can see you are very keen, considering you are new to brewing you already have two FV.

You will need a few trips to your local Wspoons over the next few weeks...patience! Glad to see more and more young kids like you getting into the brewing business.

Enjoy.

 

[ManseMasher]

Thanks for the advice. I have 2 FV so waiting isn't an issue, wanted the best advice really and would prefer a nicer stout than a rushed one.
I'll use the hydrometer but won't lifting the lid add oxygen to the brew?

It will unless you fit a tap. I have them on mine and it makes life easier, especially for bottling. If you don't have taps, rather than putting the hydrometer into the fv some folk use a turkey baster to get their sample. Whichever way you choose, sterilise, sterilise, sterilise.....

 

[sausagefingers]

I reckon the kit instructions backfire, cos they tell people to bottle and drink their beer before it's ready. Which is bonkers, but it's how it is. How many people try kits and decide not to bother again?.

Exactly what happened to me, almost packed it in after my first 2 kits. Followed the instructions and tried drinking it way too early, couldn't see the point of drinking anything that tasted so bad no matter how cheap it was.
Glad I didn't bin the lot as it all came good in the end and now I haven't bought any beer from the shop / supermarket for about 8 months :

 

[MyQul]

Pull up a chesterfield. Welcome to the forum

 

[razormedia]

Okay, it's been in the fermenter 7 days and hydrometer reading is spot on. Should I bottle it now or leave it another week?

 

[ManseMasher]

It's best to take a couple of readings, a day apart. When you have had the same reading a couple of days in a row then fermentation has finished and you can bottle. It won't hurt being in the fv for longer though.