New to brewing

[nickbrew]

Hi There, I'm a first timer at homebrew and have bought a kit from wilkinsons. Its not the best and I'm fully aware of that but as a starter I need some advice.

I started my brew Sunday 2nd August and had planned to purchase a pressure barrel in between. I had a dilemma with money though as I'm self employed and have had to leave the brew for longer in its first stage than advised. It should have come out of the fermentation barrel on 28th August, however I am now going to be overdue with the syphoning process by five days.

The beer hasn't been touched since the start of brewing (lid hasn't come off apart from once when I lifted it a week ago and it smelled fine. This was then put down straight away after about 5 seconds).

So what I'm wondering is, will my beer be still ok to put in a pressure barrel?

I was advised that it would be ok as long as no contamination had taken place e.g.flies hanging around, which I can confirm that it hasn't.

Thanks

Nick

 

[artyb]

you should be ok,

ive left some beers in the fv to clear for 24 days from start to bottling..... :thumb:

 

[nickbrew]

ok, so does it make it stronger in alcohol or stronger in flavour?

 

[tubby_shaw]

ok, so does it make it stronger in alcohol or stronger in flavour?

The strength of your beer is determined by the amont of sugars that the yeast can convert into alcohol, so if it has finished fermenting that is as strong as it will get.
On the flavour issue leaving it in the fermenter for a few days after fermentation is complete will result in a cleaner tasting beer :party:

 

[nickbrew]

ah so thats probably why I'm seeing it change from being cloudy in the fermenter to clearer then? is that right?

Can I drink this straight out of the fermenter or do I definately have to presurise it?

 

Can I drink this straight out of the fermenter

That's another Forum members trick!

or do I definately have to presurise it?

You dont actually have to pressurise it, just keep a layer of CO2 on top of it.
Your beer will improve with age.

 

[Tony]

Nice to meet you Nick!

Enjoy your drinking! :

 

[nickbrew]

Good meeting you too! and I will! Been wanting to get into brewing for a while so I gathered starting with a starter kit from wilkos would be a step in the right direction even if it is basic. Looking forward to talking with you guys as I have a few thoughts and ideas (some which may have been done) on brews. Will need some help and advice.

Don't know if anybody would be interested and I don't want to sound like I'm plugging myself - but I design websites, e-commerce websites etc and graphics for print http://www.imarque.com - however my real aim on here is brewing!