Racked too soon?

Hey kids, a beginner on my second FestaBrew kit. I made a very good pale ale in my first attempt, but my wife and I wanted a little stronger brew and our house is cool these winter months, so I looked for a lager yeast that will allow for a lower temp. However, the Bock I got from FestaBrew seems to be freaking me out. FestaBrew's directions are generic for all of there beers... 3-5 days in the primary.

I just racked it today (day 6) and although the foam and bubbles subsided; as I racked I could see some yeast activity and now, in the carboy, there is consistent bubbling from my airlock. Did I rack too soon? And if so, what should I do now? Thanks in advance.

It sounds too soon to me but the only real way to know if you are ready for racking it to test your beer with a hydrometer. See what your reading is then check it a couple of days later. If it hasn't changed you are ready to rack. If it changes your yeast is still working away. I am new to brewing so my info base is still small but a believe this to be true. Wait for someone to verify this. Either way its YOUR beer drink it and be proud of it. It only gets better.

http://www.magnotta.com/Festabrew/resources/06FESTA HomeBrew.pdf. Here is the link to the instructions.

The SG was 1.026 went it was in the carboy. Should I leave it in there until the SG stabilizes or is it toast?

It still has yeast in it so it will keep fermenting, albeit at a slower rate with more stress on the yeast. The beer should turn out ok, but you may get some strange flavors that will take a long time to clear up. Don't toss it. As others said, give it time and in the future, leave in primary 2-3 weeks usually and make sure FG has been hit and stable before racking.

Festa Brew Bock 23 L
A classic dark, malty, strong German style bock beer. Genuine lager yeast ensures adherence to style. High original gravity. Finishes moderately sweet with a stronger,warming alcohol content.

OG: 1.0640 – 1.0648, FG: 1.0188 – 1.0196, Yeast: Saflager S-23, IBUs: 16

Found this on their site. I may be ok, I think I will leave it in the carboy and see if I can hit the FG.

nickfanelli said:

http://www.magnotta.com/Festabrew/resources/06FESTA%20HomeBrew.pdf. Here is the link to the instructions.

The SG was 1.026 went it was in the carboy. Should I leave it in there until the SG stabilizes or is it toast?

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So, does anybody find these directions completely off base?

nickfanelli said:

So, does anybody find these directions completely off base?

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sounds like a rush job to me. It will take extra time to condition out the off flavors you may end up with because of it.

So just an update. Checked the SG, it is at 1.024. When I racked it 5 days ago it was 1.026. Will the SG move significantly from here and the time is just for flavour? The FG on the documentation says 1.019ish.

It will need a much longer time to complete the job now that there is less yeast in the carboy.

The instructions definitely suck and with a lager yeast I will give it at least 3 weeks in the primary. What's done is done, don't toss the beer out. Keep everything sanitized and wait for a few more weeks. It will be a long wait but it will be worth it.

Let it sit for at least a week more before you take gravity readings

Thanks. Roger Wilco.

SG is at 1.019

nickfanelli said:

SG is at 1.019

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Woohoo! It looks like your yeast kept on with the job and have brought the gravity in line with what is projected. I'd leave it a bit longer to see if it will go lower yet.

Thanks guys. Good to know I have beer bros to steer me.