Trying to make a light draught beer

[Austrian]

I'm a first time brewer using a draught beer kit (1.7kg can). I only put 100gm of sugar in it, and it frothed up for the first two days and then seems to have slowed to a crawl. SG started at 1.030 and is now 1.012 but go still moving. I've kept it at 26c . If it stays same sg for two days should I bottle it? Today is day 4.

 

[wereprawn]

Will probably drop a few more gravity points yet. 26 c is a bit high to make good beer but should still be drinkable. Next time try putting your fementor in a laundry tub with a 2 ltr bottle of frozen water to keep it at 18-20 c and you will notice an improvement.Change the bottle a couple of times a day. There are other ways of improving your brew but after tasting one fermented at the correct temp you can decide for yourself if it needs improvement. Hope this helps.

Edit - Once it has reached its final gravity ,leave for a few more days so the yeast can clean up any undesirable fermentation byproducts before bottling.

 

[Austrian]

Thanks for replying Wereprawn. I've had the fermenter on a heat pad because on the can it says to keep it between 25c and 35c! I did think that was a bit hot. So are you saying that cooler is better?

 

[hoppy2B]

Fermenting cooler will give you a cleaner tasting beer. The normal recommendation is to ferment it cooler with a different yeast, and then add some hops for extra flavour.

I've only used the yeast that came with the kit on one occasion and I fermented it at a similar temperature to that which you have used, and I found it produced some nice pear esters.

 

[wereprawn]

Thanks for replying Wereprawn. I've had the fermenter on a heat pad because on the can it says to keep it between 25c and 35c! I did think that was a bit hot. So are you saying that cooler is better?

Most brews fermented at higher temps tastes ....well....yeasty to me. Smell some bakers yeast and you will get what i mean.

 

[lobedogg]

Leave it a while. General rule is two weeks in the fermenter before bottling. Let's the yeast finish it's work and drop.

Can I ask why only 100 grams of sugar? Your beer will be very light at about 2.5‰. Normally a kilo of fermentables is added to the can (kit & kilo).

Next time try this. Use a Coopers can or equivalent with their brew enhancer. Buy a better yeast from a homebrew store and consider doing a small hop boil. You’ll notice the difference for sure!

 

[lobedogg]

And keep it at 20 degrees or less.

 

[sp0rk]

Can I ask why only 100 grams of sugar? Your beer will be very light at about 2.5‰. Normally a kilo of fermentables is added to the can (kit & kilo).

As per the thread title, Austrian wants a light beer

 

[lobedogg]

As per the thread title, Austrian wants a light beer

yeah fair point Spork. Dunno how I missed that :unsure:

 

[mfeighan]

Edit - Once it has reached its final gravity ,leave for a few more days so the yeast can clean up any undesirable fermentation byproducts before bottling.

If you arent in a rush i would recommend leaving it for at least a week after fermentation has finished before bottling it. As for temperature control only the primary fermentation is required, after it has hit FG there are no real problems just leaving it at room temp. (I would not suggest this if your room temp hits 35+)