What to do next?

GUNMAN2

Hi Guys,

Making my first home brew and I'm looking for advice.

Everything seems to have gone according to plan so far, its been fermenting for about ten days, the head has died down and it tastes like warm stale bear.

I've transfered it to another fermentation bucket using the syphon tube and added about 140g of sugar.

My question is what to I do next? I know it takes time to condition, about 2 weeks, but do I condition it in my secondary fermenter and then transfer the bottles and cap them?

If so do I need to add more sugar into the bottles and let them condition again?

Or can I simply let it condition in the secondary fermenter and then transfer to bottles, cap, chill and enjoy my beer in a few days.?

Just got a bit confused on the instructions..

BaZmO*

GUNMAN2 wrote: »

Just got a bit confused on the instructions..

I take it that it's a kit that you're using? The instructions are apparently very confusing.

GUNMAN2 wrote: »

and it tastes like warm stale bear.

It's what it's supposed to taste like!

GUNMAN2 wrote: »

I've transfered it to another fermentation bucket using the syphon tube and added about 140g of sugar.

You shouldn't really have added the sugar like that. I think that may be the confusing part of the instructions. I've never made a kit beer but a friend has and he did the exact same thing. That sugar is supposed to be added when bottling and not when conditioning.

GUNMAN2 wrote: »

My question is what to I do next? I know it takes time to condition, about 2 weeks, but do I condition it in my secondary fermenter and then transfer the bottles and cap them?

General rule of thumb is 2 weeks in the Fermenter and then bottle but that depends on whether the fermentation has finished. The only true way to know when it's finished is to use a hydrometer to check your final gravity.

GUNMAN2 wrote: »

If so do I need to add more sugar into the bottles and let them condition again?

Or can I simply let it condition in the secondary fermenter and then transfer to bottles, cap, chill and enjoy my beer in a few days.?

You don't need sugar to condition. And you don't really need to Condition for your first attempt. As I've said, 2 weeks fermenting (if it's done) and then bottle.

When you're bottling, you add the sugar and then close the bottle. The yeast eats the sugar and while doing so it produces carbon dioxide, and as it has nowhere to go because the bottle is sealed, it goes into the beer which makes it carbonated.

More info on bottling here

GUNMAN2

Cheers for the info.

I've long since drank this first batch. It tasted fine, had a bit of a funky after taste which disappeared as I got through the bottle. Just starting to drink my second batch which is Youngs Brew buddy lager. First bottle and I must say it taste fantastic.

foghlu

Better off ignoring the instructions on beer kits and following something like this:

http://www.beoir.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33:getting-started-brewing-beer-with-beer-kits&catid=17:kit-brewing&Itemid=48

GUNMAN2

foghlu wrote: »

Better off ignoring the instructions on beer kits and following something like this:

http://www.beoir.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33:getting-started-brewing-beer-with-beer-kits&catid=17:kit-brewing&Itemid=48

Really good instructions I must say. A few nice tips in there that I'll be following next time.

I've been using the "how to" guide on the homebrewcompany website. Not bad but these ones have a few extra pieces of advice.

foghlu

Personall I found the info on there invaluable when I was starting out kit brewing, I'm no expert but have brewed over 15 kits now and keep experimenting as I go. Thats half the fun really trting something different. Happy Brewing!!

GUNMAN2

foghlu wrote: »

Personall I found the info on there invaluable when I was starting out kit brewing, I'm no expert but have brewed over 15 kits now and keep experimenting as I go. Thats half the fun really trting something different. Happy Brewing!!

Yeah, top notch stuff.

One question foghlu, seen as you've been experimenting for a while.

Have u ever tried adding honey to your brew, I've just started a batch and added some honey. It smells nice but seems to be fermenting alot slower than normal. Although something is happening because there's always a build of CO2 in it.

Just wonderin if its somethin you ever experimented with?

foghlu

havent tried honey myself but have added different fermentables like dark muscovado sugar etc

Best advice I could give would be patience, let it ferment as long as it needs and hope for the best, the one thing I have learned is that patience is a virtue us home brewers need in buckets!

how long has it been fermenting so far?

GUNMAN2

Oh its only been a few days. I think this is Day 5 now.

Normally I've seen a big head form by now, and its usually finishing up. But so far no head.

Plenty of gas though so i guess something is definitely happening.

I'll sit tight for a while.

God this homebrewing gets addictive

BaZmO*

GUNMAN2 wrote: »

Oh its only been a few days. I think this is Day 5 now.

Normally I've seen a big head form by now, and its usually finishing up. But so far no head.

Although it's been sunny over the last few days, it's also been quite cold. Temperature affects fermentation. Too hot produces strong (generally unwanted) flavours, and too cold slows down the process.

foghlu

I usually leave my brews ferment for about 2 weeks before even looking at them now... at the start i was opening the lid every couple of days and peeking in side and taking hydrometer readings etc

You are hooked now, its great fun and a cheap enjoyable hobby. let me know how the honey works out for you id be interested to see if you can actually taste it in the brew. What type of kit did you add it to?

GUNMAN2

Oh I have it kept at a steady 18 degrees.

Courtesy of some fan heaters on the go 24 hours a day and an abandoned office.. I don't have to pay the ESB bill so its ok..

I guess its just a matter of waiting.

It does smell lovely though.

GUNMAN2

foghlu wrote: »

I usually leave my brews ferment for about 2 weeks before even looking at them now... at the start i was opening the lid every couple of days and peeking in side and taking hydrometer readings etc

You are hooked now, its great fun and a cheap enjoyable hobby. let me know how the honey works out for you id be interested to see if you can actually taste it in the brew. What type of kit did you add it to?

http://cgi.ebay.ie/Youngs-Brew-Harvest-Pilsner-Lager-Kit-Makes-40-Pints-/370195693886

I've made it before and it was quite nice, a little tasteless though. So I said i'd try something different. Also its not the most expensive so if something goes wrong its not the end of the world.

I can definitely smell the honey now, but I wonder will there be any taste of it after fermentation.

On a side note.. Anyone tried the 60 litre fermentation bin.? seen it on the homebrew website... almost had to tie my hands together to stop me from buying it.