NOOBY - Forgot the SG step

Mrcrowley269 · Dec 20, 2011

Hello...this is my 2nd brew. I did an all grain and had some minor problems with my mash tun. My question is, I pitched my yeast starter cake last night. The brew has started fermenting. It can not be more than 9 hours as I pitched about 9 hours ago and fermenting is slow. Can I take the SG now? I know the reading will not be exact, but it should be close.

birvine · Dec 20, 2011

You could just for fun, but you're right it won't be spot on, though close.

I wouldn't worry about it.

B

snooky · Dec 20, 2011

Depending how strong of a fermentation you have, you could already be a couple points away from your FG. I would let the gravity on this one slip through the cracks and just enjoy the beer for what it is.

RugenBrau · Dec 20, 2011

Don't worry about it. Get it next time. If that was your biggest mistake your home free!

badbrew · Dec 20, 2011

I didn't get mine either cuzz the hydrometer broke in the wine thief. Just measure it after the bubbles have nearly stopped and again a few days later.

Mrcrowley269 · Dec 20, 2011

I like this site very much. Very helpful members, thanks all. Doing the yeast starter was a great thing. Learning so much. I saw how much head room I had and went with the blowoff tube first thing. The ferment is so active. Wert was VERY sweet. It should be good. Now I need to redesign my tun. It failed horribly on me. Had to strain out the grain. What a pain.

RM-MN · Dec 20, 2011

Mrcrowley269 said:
I like this site very much. Very helpful members, thanks all. Doing the yeast starter was a great thing. Learning so much. I saw how much head room I had and went with the blowoff tube first thing. The ferment is so active. Wert was VERY sweet. It should be good. Now I need to redesign my tun. It failed horribly on me. Had to strain out the grain. What a pain.

Take a hint from those of who use the brew in a bag system and line your mash tun with fine mesh cloth. Your grain won't get through that and if you get a stuck sparge, just lift the bag to let it drain.

I've done quite a few batches and I forgot to take the OG on the last 3 batches. Oh well, the only things I would need it for is to calculate my efficiency and tell how much alcohol it will produce. I'll just let it ferment out and I'll have beer.

Mrcrowley269 · Dec 20, 2011

RM-MN said:
Take a hint from those of who use the brew in a bag system and line your mash tun with fine mesh cloth. Your grain won't get through that and if you get a stuck sparge, just lift the bag to let it drain.

I've done quite a few batches and I forgot to take the OG on the last 3 batches. Oh well, the only things I would need it for is to calculate my efficiency and tell how much alcohol it will produce. I'll just let it ferment out and I'll have beer.

Wise words...I will try the mesh cloth. Sounds like a good idea. And as for the OG. I never used it before, just like to know the alcohol content. This is only my 2nd brew, I did some box brews 15 years ago. I will learn the efficiency,

Dynachrome · Dec 20, 2011

The only reason you might want to know the alcohol level of your brew would be to know what area someones BAC would be close to after having a couple.

Make 'em take it home to drink or have a sleep over.

badbrew · Dec 21, 2011

Dynachrome said:
The only reason you might want to know the alcohol level of your brew would be to know what area someones BAC would be close to after having a couple.

Make 'em take it home to drink or have a sleep over.

I think there are a couple of additional reasons.

Mrcrowley269 · Dec 21, 2011

I have a question...on this brew I tried my first first all grain. The brew looks pretty ugly, like muddy water. Is this normal and will it clear up or should I name it Dirty Water? LOL

Dynachrome · Dec 21, 2011

badbrew said:
I think there are a couple of additional reasons.

If it's toward the low end - no buzz, OK.

Beyond safety, what else please?

Dynachrome · Dec 21, 2011

Mrcrowley269 said:
I have a question...on this brew I tried my first first all grain. The brew looks pretty ugly, like muddy water. Is this normal and will it clear up or should I name it Dirty Water? LOL

View attachment 41268

I just got a carboy. I haven't brewed with it yet. I've been using buckets. By the time the kreusen falls it is usually pretty cleared up from what you can see looking down into the bucket. That does look cloudy. What style is it, a wheat by any chance?

Copperpots_Brewing · Dec 21, 2011

Mrcrowley269 said:
I have a question...on this brew I tried my first first all grain. The brew looks pretty ugly, like muddy water. Is this normal and will it clear up or should I name it Dirty Water? LOL

<img src="https://www.homebrewtalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=41268"/>

How long has it been fermenting? If its only been a few days that's normal. Go to YouTube and look up a video of active fermentation. Your beer will stir around like crazy. It should clear up no problem, just make sure to keep it out of the light and you can consider a secondary after a week or so. That'll help clarity.

Mrcrowley269 · Dec 21, 2011

It has only been a couple of days. 1.5 lb wheat. Looking back at pics of my other brew, it was a silly question. The first brew cleared up to a very nice color. 1/2 of it was Christmas gifts.

birvine · Dec 22, 2011

Mrcrowley269 said:
I have a question...on this brew I tried my first first all grain. The brew looks pretty ugly, like muddy water. Is this normal and will it clear up or should I name it Dirty Water? LOL

View attachment 41268

Not unusual - with all that yeast suspended that's what it looks like.

B

sheeshomatic · Dec 22, 2011

Also, even a beer that is nice and clear in a pint glass can be awfully hard to see through ~5 gallons of it in a carboy. Your beer really won't look like it's clarifying at least until fermentation is finished, and even then probably not until week 2 at some point. Depending on the yeast strain, it may never clear completely by design.

maffewl · Dec 22, 2011

Mrcrowley269 said:
I have a question...on this brew I tried my first first all grain. The brew looks pretty ugly, like muddy water. Is this normal and will it clear up or should I name it Dirty Water? LOL

View attachment 41268

That looks like an active fermentation. It will clear up as the yeast comes out of suspension. However, if it is near light, you need to throw a dark shirt or towel over it.

Mrcrowley269 · Dec 23, 2011

I do all my brew in a dark closet, try to keep it as cool as possible.

NOOBY - Forgot the SG step

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