Youngs Lager Kit

[corby_brewer]

Hey CB did you get 2 replies of is that a double post ???
:lol: :lol:

bloody laptop keeps crashing on me.

 

[broadfordbrewer]

Hydrometer readings
Day 4 - 1028 (temp 20C)
Day 5 - 1028 (temp 20C)
Day 6 - 1028 (temp 17C)
Day 7 - 1024 (temp 19C)
Day 8 - 1020 (temp 20C)
Day 9 - 1017 (temp 17C)
Day 15 - 1010 (temp 17.5C) :thumb:

1st ever racking up session planned for Saturday morning..... :)

 

[broadfordbrewer]

Just after some advice please. Just re-read the instructions with the kit and it says to ferment to SG of 1006!!!!
I had the figure from my brewing book in mind, which was the 1010.
What to do? :hmm:
The brew itself is looking like its pretty much stopped fermenting... some bubbles but the top layer of crust has started breaking up and sinking.

The reading last ight was 1010 for the second day running.
Day 8 - 1020 (temp 20C)
Day 9 - 1017 (temp 17C)
Day 15 - 1010 (temp 17.5C)
Day 16 - 1010 (temp 17.5C)

Thanks

 

[jamesb]

The instructions with kits are notoriously inaccurate. 1010 sounds good to me. Leave it for two or three days for the yeast to clear up after itself and then bottle.

 

[broadfordbrewer]

Thanks James, much appreciated.
Sorry for being thick, but what does the bit about "the yeast clearing up after itself" mean?
Just interested to know so I learn from this :wha:

ta

 

[jamesb]

There are byproducts of fermentation such as diacetyl that are unwanted in the finished beer. Leaving the beer in the primary for a bit after fermentation causes the yeast to clear some of these up.

 

[broadfordbrewer]

Got it! :thumb:

thanks again

 

[broadfordbrewer]

Racked my first beer! wahooo
It went as planned and got the promised 40 pints... it even tastes nice!! (but fear its probably a bit weak).
Anyway, can't grumble for a first attempt... now for the next one :thumb:
Thanks for all the advice so far. :clap:

 

[Wez]

Thats great, report back on how it tastes!

 

[Rob]

Hello, first post.
I started the Youngs definitive lager kit last night, my first kit.
All seems pretty simple so far, have to keep it in my room as it's the only place that stays at the suitable temp.
Does it matter if it is in a dark place though?
Thanks.

 

[Wez]

Hello, first post.
I started the Youngs definitive lager kit last night, my first kit.
All seems pretty simple so far, have to keep it in my room as it's the only place that stays at the suitable temp.
Does it matter if it is in a dark place though?
Thanks.

Hey Rob, welcome to the forum

I always try to keep the light off my FV's, dropping a good thick black bin bag does the trick.

 

[Rob]

Hello, first post.
I started the Youngs definitive lager kit last night, my first kit.
All seems pretty simple so far, have to keep it in my room as it's the only place that stays at the suitable temp.
Does it matter if it is in a dark place though?
Thanks.

Hey Rob, welcome to the forum

I always try to keep the light off my FV's, dropping a good thick black bin bag does the trick.

Thanks, that's good as I have it in the box it came in, too a few sneaky peeks at it (dunno if I am supposed) and it actually smells like lager.. amazing! I will do some bitter next which I reckon will be better and then get some more expensive kits when I am not such a novice.

 

[Wez]

The premium 3kg kits are (imo) worth the extra :thumb:

 

[corby_brewer]

+1 with what wez says :thumb:
now thats got to be a first :rofl:
(only joking)

 

[broadfordbrewer]

Hello, first post.
I started the Youngs definitive lager kit last night, my first kit.
All seems pretty simple so far, have to keep it in my room as it's the only place that stays at the suitable temp.
Does it matter if it is in a dark place though?
Thanks.

Hey Rob, welcome to the forum

I always try to keep the light off my FV's, dropping a good thick black bin bag does the trick.

Thanks, that's good as I have it in the box it came in, too a few sneaky peeks at it (dunno if I am supposed) and it actually smells like lager.. amazing! I will do some bitter next which I reckon will be better and then get some more expensive kits when I am not such a novice.

Hi Rob,

The Young's lager kit is my first try at this and I don't feel like I had to do much to keep the brew happy during its fermentation, so I wouldn't worry about having a peek every day when you measure the SG. I tasted it when bottling up and it tasted pretty good (IMO!). As you say with the smell..,, its amazing that it actually tastes like lager!!! shouldn't really be a shock, but hey!

Good luck with it.

 

[broadfordbrewer]

My Youngs Def Lager has been in the bottle for 3 weeks now and I tried a bottle last night. Well carbonated and clear! It tastes fine but no real flavour, but I guess this is to be expected from a cheapish lager kit? I'm actually really chuffed this has worked so well on my first attempt .

My question is, is it normal to still smell fairly yeasty and this might sound weird but it has an appley taste??? :wha:
Any thoughts?

Ta

 

[GazOC]

I'm a fellow noob but I think the "appley" taste is supposed to come from the Chlorine in the tap water. You can get around this by disolving 1/2 a Campden tablet in your water before you add it to the wort.

 

[broadfordbrewer]

Now been in the bottle for 5 weeks and its improving... no more appley taste!
Pretty nice drink but only 30 bottles left
QC has been thorough