What to use to make strong pale/blonde ale?

[graysalchemy]

A temp of 28c is way to high however the wort probably didn't hit that though it probably would take you into fusel territory.

It will have probably fermented that fast but it will need to be left to clear after fermentation so 10-14 days is probably right :thumb:

 

[iceo]

i wouldnt mess about with . leave it alone for 10 days before taking readings. each time you take a sample at the early stages you increase the risk of infection

 

[Uncertainty]

according to the calculator, it's already reached 5.3% abv.

just seemed a bit quick :shock:

 

[Uncertainty]

ok thanks. so when should i turn the heater off?

 

[mattrickl06]

according to the calculator, it's already reached 5.3% abv.

just seemed a bit quick :shock:

Under the right (or wrong) conditions it is amazing how quickly yeasties can produce wonderful ethanol (and not wonderful methanol) in the first 24-48 hours of a active, healthy fermentation - you need to be careful with temps in order to keep the methanol at a low level

 

[mattrickl06]

ok thanks. so when should i turn the heater off?

heater??

 

[Uncertainty]

yeah, i have this thin belt heaterthat wraps around the outside of the fermenting bin.

was this not needed?

It's nothing drastic. It only keeps it warm.

My house is a wee bit cold atm.

 

[graysalchemy]

It's nothing drastic. It only keeps it warm.

My house is a wee bit cold atm.

Only keeps it warm!!!!!

It reached 28c !!!!!!

As we have said that is a tad tooooooooooooooooo high. but to be honest the damage will have been done. Don't use a heat belt unless you have some way of controlling it.

 

[Uncertainty]

so do you think it's game over?

I have had a smell in the bin just to check, and I'm not sure what i'm smelling for.

It definitely smells alcoholic.

but it also has a slight stale beer smell to it, like a warm beer left out over night.

Not sure if that is just the normal smell of fermenting boose, or if something has gone wrong.

 

[graysalchemy]

I would leave it you won't know until it has finished. If it has a solventy flavour and gives you a hangover after drinking it then yes it has fusel alcohols, if not then it will be fine. The most critical time is the first 36-24 hrs when the yeast is growing and you get the frothy head on it.

 

[Uncertainty]

Ok, false alarm.
Things are looking good.

The yeast is actually still fizzing away quite nicely with a steady bit of foam.. not going mad though, but still steady.
The smell seems to have mellowed out too.

I think it may just overshoot the 8% mark at this rate. :whistle:

 

[Uncertainty]

it's finished fermenting at 9%abv... I siphoned it off, careful not to disturb the sediment, and so I tried a sample today.

Tastes like beer... definitely strong.

It's still quite cloudy/milky, and leaves a creamy layer around the glass.

Will this disappear over time?

 

[Uncertainty]

(see above question)

 

[BIGJIM72]

Leave it to drop clear,then bottle. Mature for at least 3 months.