joshF
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 28/10/12
- Messages
- 310
- Reaction score
- 48
Hi guys,
Like many others on this forum, i have recently jumped (or tripped?) onto the homebrew bandwagon
After vowing not to give any of my hard earned coin to dan murphys, bws and the like, i figured it was time to buy one of 'those big plastic things' and put on a batch.
I read through numerous articles here and a book called 'extreme brewing' by sam calagione (great read) and got the general idea of 'keep it simple' for the first batch. So i went with one of the ESB finest round wort kits (little creatures pale ale style), assuming it to be pretty simple.
I've sterilised the bejesus out of everything using sodium percarbonate sachet and also bought some phosphoric/suphiric liquid for next time.
Basically added the wort, clean water, cascade finishing hops and the US-05 yeast (pitched at 20 degrees).
All appeared to be going well for the first 3 or 4 days and it foamed up a little and bubbled solidly but then tapered off after about the 5th day, and so too did the foam/krausen! Today (11th day) the top of the beer is virtually clear, with only very few bubbles and a light layer of foam in the middle. It looks almost like a very thin layer of head right in the middle of the beer, not all over it.
I've kept the fermenter in a bath of water from day one to maintain the 18-20 degree temperature recommended however the foam/bubbles just never really cranked up like i expected. My OG was 1.049 and after the 11th day it is only 1.016 :S The airlock is bubbling once every 10 minutes or so but i would have assumed this to have stopped a little sooner? Does this sound normal? I've read some of the posts about stuck fermentations but was really hoping this wouldn't happen in my first brew
Anyway, as this is my first brew and i'm new to the forums, i'd love some of you guys input/advice so i can progress/improve for the next one.
Thanks in advance!!
cheers, Josh
Like many others on this forum, i have recently jumped (or tripped?) onto the homebrew bandwagon
After vowing not to give any of my hard earned coin to dan murphys, bws and the like, i figured it was time to buy one of 'those big plastic things' and put on a batch.
I read through numerous articles here and a book called 'extreme brewing' by sam calagione (great read) and got the general idea of 'keep it simple' for the first batch. So i went with one of the ESB finest round wort kits (little creatures pale ale style), assuming it to be pretty simple.
I've sterilised the bejesus out of everything using sodium percarbonate sachet and also bought some phosphoric/suphiric liquid for next time.
Basically added the wort, clean water, cascade finishing hops and the US-05 yeast (pitched at 20 degrees).
All appeared to be going well for the first 3 or 4 days and it foamed up a little and bubbled solidly but then tapered off after about the 5th day, and so too did the foam/krausen! Today (11th day) the top of the beer is virtually clear, with only very few bubbles and a light layer of foam in the middle. It looks almost like a very thin layer of head right in the middle of the beer, not all over it.
I've kept the fermenter in a bath of water from day one to maintain the 18-20 degree temperature recommended however the foam/bubbles just never really cranked up like i expected. My OG was 1.049 and after the 11th day it is only 1.016 :S The airlock is bubbling once every 10 minutes or so but i would have assumed this to have stopped a little sooner? Does this sound normal? I've read some of the posts about stuck fermentations but was really hoping this wouldn't happen in my first brew
Anyway, as this is my first brew and i'm new to the forums, i'd love some of you guys input/advice so i can progress/improve for the next one.
Thanks in advance!!
cheers, Josh