To bottle or not to bottle...

[calumscott]

...that is the question. With a subtext of "or should I maybe give it a little stir?".

It's a Youngs Harvest Bitter kit which has been fermenting away since Saturday last week and tailed off on Friday. It doesn't look like there is a any bubble activity going on at the moment.

I tested it Saturday night and the hydrometer floats JUST proud of the nice yellow "Bottle" band, suggesting that it's not *quite* there yet, to taste its maybe a little sweet but TBH it's my first one so I have nothing to compare to.

Obviously I'm going to test it again tonight with the hope that it has finished but if it's stayed the same what would you suggest? I've read the excellent "what to do" guide but I'm still nervous of the best approach.

Any opinions gratefully received!

Ta

C

 

[graysalchemy]

Have you got a hydrometer? If you have then take a reading today and another tommorow. It should be below 1015 but may go below 1010 with a kit. if it is still in its 1020's then give it a gentle stir with a sterilized spoon/paddle to rouse the yeast.

If you haven't got a hydrometer then give it a stir anyway and see if you get any more action out of it, and consider treating yourself to a hydrometer

 

[calumscott]

I'm fully hydrometer'd up! Tested on Saturday and (while not quite being able to recall what the exact figures were) it wasn't low enough for the 1.006 recommended by Youngs and was just outside of its nice bright yellow "safe bottling" band.

I'm leaning towards a little stir tonight if there is no further progress I think.

 

[graysalchemy]

Give it another reading and let us know

 

[calumscott]

I gave this one a stir in the end and tested again after a couple of days - no movement at all - stuck at 1.009.

So I just bottled it anyway. So far so good, two weeks in the bottle and I've sampled a couple along the way, its really very pleasantly drinkable and no bottle bombs! I'm trying hard not to just guzzle it as I know it should keep getting better with a little more age!