miner33

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I started my first batch of homebrew today using a kit from Brewers Best, the American Amber. I thought I followed the directions pretty closely, but my starting gravity was super-low! Around 1.02. Any ideas what went wrong and is this batch ruined?

Thanks for any advice in advance

Brandon

Nurmey

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Welcome Brandon!
Most of the time it's because you didn't get the top off water and the wort mixed enough. The wort being heavier sank to the bottom and you took your sample from the top. It happens all the time but your (soon to be) beer is fine. Give it a few weeks and tell us how good your first batch came out tasting.

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shertz

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RDWHAHB(Relax, don't worry, have a home brew or microbrew if no homebrew). Exactly what he said ^^^^^^. Next time mix thoroughly, then take a reading.

PS- Welcome to this crazy addictive hobby!

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Righlander

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It's also possible that you just read the hyrometer wrong

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barroomhero1234

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+1 on the read wrong, my first batch i was reading it wrong till i shook my head and took my time.

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bull8042

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Relax.... Welcome to HBT.

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miner33

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Thanks for all the replies! I feel a lot better.

Another question, Can I check the gravity again after I've already sealed the fermenter? May be a stupid question, but I'm a beginner. The beer has definitely begun fermenting since the airlock is bubbling.

Yooper

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Sure, you can, as long as you have sanitized the wine thief or the turkey baster you're using to pull out your samples. But, why? If it's already fermenting, it's changed from whatever it was when it started, and it's no where close to done. It wouldn't give you any helpful information at all.

I'd wait a week, then check it. And, that's a great time to drink the hydrometer sample. By then, it should taste like warm flat beer.

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miner33

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The recipe for this beer kit said to ferment for 7 days then bottle and let sit for 2 weeks. Everything I'm reading on this board talks about leaving it in the fermenter longer and possibly secondary conditioning the beer. Thoughts?

Panzermann

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Personal preference to be honest! Obviously the longer you wait the better.

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***No longer have time to keep up with all my batches***