Noob question about FG

[Shaun-p]

Hi all. I’m making my first bitter from a kit. I put the yeast in and it bubbled for a day and stopped. I’m willing to believe the top bit may not be as airtight as it could be. The OG was about 1040. I put the hops in and left it a week and the FG is now down to 1014. It has been another week at around the same value. Is that near enough? The instructions say 1010 and the hydrometer says beer==1005. Just had a sip and it Smells and tastes a bit like bitter.

 

[Linalmeemow]

If it's gone down to 1014 and it's stayed there for a few days then it's probably done, certainly safe to bottle anyway. It might be a touch sweeter than you'd aimed for, but only a touch.

 

[AnimatedGIF]

Hi Shaun,

I've bottled at 1014 with no issue before. As it is a bitter, it's likely to be less carbonated too(depending on your preference) so bottle bombs not so likely if you do package it up now using less than 100g priming sugar.
Are you doing a Woodforde's by any chance?

 

[An Ankoù]

Hi all. I’m making my first bitter from a kit. I put the yeast in and it bubbled for a day and stopped. I’m willing to believe the top bit may not be as airtight as it could be. The OG was about 1040. I put the hops in and left it a week and the FG is now down to 1014. It has been another week at around the same value. Is that near enough? The instructions say 1010 and the hydrometer says beer==1005. Just had a sip and it Smells and tastes a bit like bitter.

What does your hydrometer say if you put it plain tap water?

 

[Banbeer]

What does your hydrometer say if you put it plain tap water?

Probably something along the lines of 'Get me out of this water, you know i prefer beer!!!'

 

[Shaun-p]

Hi Shaun,

I've bottled at 1014 with no issue before. As it is a bitter, it's likely to be less carbonated too(depending on your preference) so bottle bombs not so likely if you do package it up now using less than 100g priming sugar.
Are you doing a Woodforde's by any chance?

Thanks. From reading various forums and books, no two batches are guaranteed to turn out exactly the same. The book I brought had completely different temperatures and gravities to the kits instructions. Go figure.

It is a Sheepdog's Pride Suffolk Bitter which I’m guessing is a bit like Addams.

 

[An Ankoù]

I would have thought that the kit manufacturer would know what the FG is supposed to be provided you use their yeast and have followed the instructions. Or at least they should do. Just bought kits for son and nephew so I'd better keep an eye on what's going on. The sooner they get the bug and go AG, the better.

 

[Shaun-p]

Had my first couple of bottles this weekend. Jolly good it was as well. It tasted like bitter, so what more can you ask for? I thought that the recent heat wave (26c+) might have had some effect on it but it didn't seem to. Probably have a bash at some IPA after Christmas. When I have drink all this lot.

 

[Merkin]

Had my first couple of bottles this weekend. Jolly good it was as well. It tasted like bitter, so what more can you ask for? I thought that the recent heat wave (26c+) might have had some effect on it but it didn't seem to. Probably have a bash at some IPA after Christmas. When I have drink all this lot.

This was my first brew a couple of months ago - like yours, mine stuck at 1.014, which I managed to tease down to 1.012 with a bit of time and a pinch of yeast nutrient.
Really enjoyable beer, although definitely improves over time.
Currently exploring a few other kits, but I will certainly be doing this one again.