Mike's Brew and Brat

Recipes 

I just tasted my first batch of Amber Ale. Brewed 1 month ago and bottled 2 weeks ago. Good carbonization, great color and head. Taste great too.
But it's seems like there's not alcohol in it. Can someone help me out?

Walker

Recipes 

sorry.... can you clarify; help you out with what?

if you post your recipe and/or hydrometer readings, we can give you some info that might be interesting.

-walker

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Ground Fault Brewing Co.

Mike's Brew and Brat

Recipes 

I didn't take any readings so I can't provide that information.

The Kit I got had an Extract for Amber ale and 1 packet of dry yeast. I also had 2 oz of Hops.
I used Corn Sugar when I bottled.

I was wondering if I needed to ferment longer. I let it stand for 2 weeks in my garage.

Is that enough information?

Orfy

Recipes 

I reckon unless you take the readings you'll never know!

How much extract did you use and what size batch was it.
If it was a standard 2.5lb can in a 5 gallon brew then that would only be around 50% strength compared to most brews.

Does it taste sweet?

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GET THE GOBLIN
Have a beer on me.

barleypopmaker

Recipes 

If your bottles start bursting then you'll know that it was not done fermenting when you bottled it. That can be dangerous. But if all seems fine, what makes you think it has no alcohol in it? It almost sounds like if you only had 1 can/bag of extract, the kit was supposed to only make 2.5- 3 gallons of beer, and if you made a 5 gallon batch your ABV would only be around 2%-2.5%. Most extract kits for 5 gallons use at least 2 cans or roughly 6lbs of Liquid Extract, slightly less if it used all Dry extract. Did you only have 1 can/package of extract and do a 5 gallon batch? If so, all you did was make a good session beer.

Mike's Brew and Brat

Recipes 

Well I had a 5 or 6 lb plastic bag of Malt extract and made 5 gallons.
I drank 5 bottles and didn't get the slightest buzz.

It's not real sweet. Didn't blow up any bottles.

I have a new batch fermenting now. A Hefewiezen.

Hope that's better.

Thanks for all the help. This is a great place for info.

Mike

Orfy

Recipes 

Well that should be okay.
I reckon you need a hydrometer!

__________________
GET THE GOBLIN
Have a beer on me.

david_42

Recipes 

Sweet is a relative term. People rate cane sugar 4-5 times as sweet as malt sugar for the same weight. High frutose corn sugar seems even sweeter. If you are used to soda levels of sweetness, it's hard to rate a wort. It sounds like your batch barely got started fermenting.

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barleypopmaker

Recipes 

Well, this is just an estimate but if there was 5lbs of LME and you used a neutral average yeast like 1056, your estimated OG would have been 1.035 and FG would be around 1.008 and give you about 3.5% ABV. For 6lbs you come out a little better at 1.042 OG and 1.010 FG and 4.2% ABV so if you have a higher tolerance, or had a decent meal before drinking it, it could take you more to feel the effects of the alcohol. That is if the beer finished properly. The only way to know for sure is to take Hydrometer readings. But drink 12 and see what happens

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Jason Johnson -
www.barleypopmaker.info

Mike's Brew and Brat

Recipes 

I think it didn't ferment all the way. I had a problem with the airlock also.
So I guess I will have to see how my next brew turns out. Thanks for the advice and comments.