kelkashowz

Recipes 

This might sound crazy, but I didn't use (directions didn't indicate to use one) a rubber stopper for my batch... the bung and airlock were resting on top of the glass carboy... has anyone else made this mistake? If so, what should I expect the results to be?? I bottled the beer 3 days ago and realized my mistake once I went into a home brew store tonight to get my second kit.

Any input would be great.

EnjoyGoodBeer

Recipes 

Did you taste your beer before bottling? Did it taste bad? Also how long did you not have a stopper?

I wouldt really worry to much.

kelkashowz

Recipes 

I didn't taste the beer before bottling, I have yet to taste it.

The entire time the beer was in the glass carboy it had no stopper. Just bought one and also found the one that came with my kit... so now I have two and will definitely put one of them to for batch #2.

It was my first batch so I expected some mistakes... just a little disappointed I missed such an easy part of the process!

Any other feedback would be appreciated.

One other question... should the beer be in a luke warm place now that it's bottled, or in a cool place? It's a dark beer (not sure if that matters).

EnjoyGoodBeer

Recipes 

Well if your beer did notblook funky you should be alright. Its always good to taste as you go.

As for your beer darker beers take a wile longer tp mature. And yes keep at room temp (70-75) perferably. Also keep your beer for at least 3 weeks before you drink it. ( you can drink whenver you want if YOU want too). Sense its a darker beer it'll taste better aged a bit longer.

My forst beer was a porter, ehen it was done it was so bitter! After it sat about 6 weeks it really started tasting good, now at 3 months there great. Even on my first batch i did not use sanatizer (didt know i had too) i just OCD with the "no rinse cleaner" that came with the kit. I have no enfections on that batch, but maybe a bit of off flavor (maybe why it was so bitter).

Hope this helps! Prost! .

P.s. You just sat your airlock ontop of your carboy?

kelkashowz

Recipes 

It sat inside and there was a seal, but it was a glass on glass contact seal.

45_70sharps

Recipes 

Hard to tell what it will be like.
There are lots of possibilities for infection, wild yeast or other contaminants. But there is a chance it's fine.
Only time will tell now.

One rule to remember ( other than put the stopper and airlock on ) is that you taste the beer from time to time in the process.
I take a hydrometer reading, I taste the beer. I rack to another container like your bottling bucket, I taste the beer.

There isn't any real advantage to taking a taste other than maybe encouraging you a bit but if you take a sample to check the gravity for example, you aren't going to put it back in, you don't want to dump it, it's beer. Drink it!

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Black Butte clone

In secondary
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Honey wit

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kelkashowz

Recipes 

I had to try it... it's really clean and seems to have the slightest amount of carbonation (it's been bottled for 3 days), really nice flavour. Maybe it's ok?

oakbarn

Recipes 

If it tastes good now, it will improve and I leave off the airlock for several days when using a carboy. I just put a Starsan soaked paper rag (Lowes type). We call this a Dave Rag (after my brew buddy's brother who gave use the suggestion). I never put an airlock on a yeast starter and just use a DAVE RAG. You have to remember that once fermentation starts, the CO2 is going out so unlikely for much to get in anyway. It is a good idea to keep it covered however and to Sanitize, Sanitize, Sanitize!

ReverseApacheMaster

Recipes 

What do you mean by a bung if not a stopper?

Johnnyhitch1

Recipes 

^^this
My head is starting to hurt picturing what your explaining?
You used a bung and airlock but no rubber stopper?
__________^
____(Rubber Stopper)

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