Fermenting Finished?

[Clemo]

Ive got 2 batches of coopers european lager, one made with be1 and one with be2. theyve been sitting there for 12 days now at around 18-14 degress. i took the airlock out today to have a peep inside, and noticed there a still a few bubbles rising to the top. do you think its ready to bottle? unfortunately i havent taken reading as my hydrometer broke.

 

[Camo1234]

Ive got 2 batches of coopers european lager, one made with be1 and one with be2. theyve been sitting there for 12 days now at around 18-14 degress. i took the airlock out today to have a peep inside, and noticed there a still a few bubbles rising to the top. do you think its ready to bottle? unfortunately i havent taken reading as my hydrometer broke.

Dude you need to get a new hyrdo or raise the temp and leave for a few weeks to be absolutely sure its finished! You don't want to bottle up a few bombs for the sake of a few dollars for a new hydro!

 

[tavas]

How long is a piece of string? Get a hydrometer to be sure or risk exploding bottles.

 

[Clemo]

what should the reading be? im not used to brewing at low temps

 

[Wolfy]

what should the reading be? im not used to brewing at low temps

It should be the same value for 3 days in a row before you bottle, and it should also be close to the expected FG for the beer you are making.

 

[yum beer]

at those temps, clemo fermentation has probably finished. Leave it another week.
I always leave my euro lagers for 20-21 before bottling.
Dont drink this before it is 9-10 weeks old. It really does improve drastically around the 7-8 week mark.

 

[Clemo]

thanks guys, i appreciate the help!

 

[Clownfish]

Tonight had three PET bottles of European Lager I bottled 27 June 2010. Excellent. The best of the three brews of this type I have done. Much better tasting now than it was 6 months ago.