Pelican521
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2013
- Messages
- 522
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Hi all, I just got around to racking my clone of Fullers ESB tonight. For the most part it went very smoothly.
My kit's instructions said to keep in primary for 7 days, rack to secondary, dryhop then keep in secondary for 2-3 weeks.
The kit used Wyeast 1968 London ESB ale and since I'm cheap and keep my house on the cooler side (62F) I kept it in the primary for 8 days (I did wrap a heating pad around it which helped keep it a bit warmer).
Here are a few things I noticed tonight as I racked it: I was amazed on how clear it was, with a great looking amber color. It smelled great but I thought it tasted a bit on the light side (but still tasty).
FG is supposed to be 1.013-1.014. I took a few readings, one in the bucket and another in my theif. I think the more accurate reading came from the bucket since the hydro keep sticking to the side of the theif. Anyway, it was lower than called for around 1.010 to 1.012 (to average the two readings).
So my questions are: will dryhopping add more body to it and bring up my FG reading? Or will my bottling sugar bring it up to the correct FG?
Lastly, the kit says 2-3 weeks in secondary. So should I keep it for 2 or 3 and when should I dryhop? I read on someone's post they like to dryhop 5-7 days before bottling so I can keep it in the secondary 2 weeks, dry for a week and then package. Does that sound right?
Sorry for such a long post, just excited I guess!
My kit's instructions said to keep in primary for 7 days, rack to secondary, dryhop then keep in secondary for 2-3 weeks.
The kit used Wyeast 1968 London ESB ale and since I'm cheap and keep my house on the cooler side (62F) I kept it in the primary for 8 days (I did wrap a heating pad around it which helped keep it a bit warmer).
Here are a few things I noticed tonight as I racked it: I was amazed on how clear it was, with a great looking amber color. It smelled great but I thought it tasted a bit on the light side (but still tasty).
FG is supposed to be 1.013-1.014. I took a few readings, one in the bucket and another in my theif. I think the more accurate reading came from the bucket since the hydro keep sticking to the side of the theif. Anyway, it was lower than called for around 1.010 to 1.012 (to average the two readings).
So my questions are: will dryhopping add more body to it and bring up my FG reading? Or will my bottling sugar bring it up to the correct FG?
Lastly, the kit says 2-3 weeks in secondary. So should I keep it for 2 or 3 and when should I dryhop? I read on someone's post they like to dryhop 5-7 days before bottling so I can keep it in the secondary 2 weeks, dry for a week and then package. Does that sound right?
Sorry for such a long post, just excited I guess!