I received a brew kit (with 2 glass carboys) as a gift. I also received an ingredient kit (coops Weiss beer). I did ALOT of research prior to starting my brew which most of which lead me to this website. I picked up a 30 quart stock pot (after reading on this forum that that size would be a good choice.)
I am now a week into fermentation and I'm starting to worry. My specific gravity reading is a bit high. Let me explain my process.
I first sanitized all equipment with a one step sanitizer that was included in my kit. I washed the brand new stock pot and stirring spoon with soap and water but I forgot to sterilize those 2 items after cleaning.
My recipe called for 2 gallons of water (I used tap water)
As I brought the water up to a boil I let the grains soak in the water.
Just before boiling, my recipe called for me to remove the grain.
Then I brought the water to a boil and slowly poured in the 6.6 lbs. Of malt extract while stirring vigorously to ensure that the malt does not burn.
I let the wort boil for 1 hour, I added bittering hops with the malt. At 45 minute of boiling I added flavoring hops.
After an hour I cooled the wort in an ice bath in the sink.
I filled the carboy with the wort (my funnel also has a built in strainer and topped off the carboy with cold tap water to the 5 gallon mark.
I then removed a sample of the wort using "the theif" here's where **** gets weird.. My starting specific gravity reading was extremely high: 1.119. I did more research and found out that I was supposed to "swirl" the wort around a little. I had already rehydrated the yeast (yeast mixture sat out for about 8-10 minutes before adding)
After adding the yeast I gently swirled around the wort to let it mix.
I moved the wort to my basement to maintain a temperature of around 63-65. (The recipe said to keep between 65-70.)
After 16 hours the airlock started to bubble every 1-2 seconds. After 3 days the airlock was barely bubbling.
After 4 days I didn't see any bubbles coming out of the airlock so I sanitized my thief and checked the specific gravity. I read 1.024 (recipe calls for 1.010-1.015.)
I check the wort again on the 5th day and got a reading of 1.023 but I still dont see any activity from the airlock.
My recipe says to add sugar, and bottle the beer when the specific gravity stays the same 2 days in a row. I didn't check my beer last night because I worked late so I dont know what the specific gravity is. I have a secondary glass carboy. Should I ferment my beer further in there even though my recipe does not say to do so? Is my beer ruined or am I just getting antsy and paranoid?
I am a little confused on what to do. I want to continue to follow the recipe but I'm not sure what to do. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
***I also attached pictures of my set up and recipe!
I am now a week into fermentation and I'm starting to worry. My specific gravity reading is a bit high. Let me explain my process.
I first sanitized all equipment with a one step sanitizer that was included in my kit. I washed the brand new stock pot and stirring spoon with soap and water but I forgot to sterilize those 2 items after cleaning.
My recipe called for 2 gallons of water (I used tap water)
As I brought the water up to a boil I let the grains soak in the water.
Just before boiling, my recipe called for me to remove the grain.
Then I brought the water to a boil and slowly poured in the 6.6 lbs. Of malt extract while stirring vigorously to ensure that the malt does not burn.
I let the wort boil for 1 hour, I added bittering hops with the malt. At 45 minute of boiling I added flavoring hops.
After an hour I cooled the wort in an ice bath in the sink.
I filled the carboy with the wort (my funnel also has a built in strainer and topped off the carboy with cold tap water to the 5 gallon mark.
I then removed a sample of the wort using "the theif" here's where **** gets weird.. My starting specific gravity reading was extremely high: 1.119. I did more research and found out that I was supposed to "swirl" the wort around a little. I had already rehydrated the yeast (yeast mixture sat out for about 8-10 minutes before adding)
After adding the yeast I gently swirled around the wort to let it mix.
I moved the wort to my basement to maintain a temperature of around 63-65. (The recipe said to keep between 65-70.)
After 16 hours the airlock started to bubble every 1-2 seconds. After 3 days the airlock was barely bubbling.
After 4 days I didn't see any bubbles coming out of the airlock so I sanitized my thief and checked the specific gravity. I read 1.024 (recipe calls for 1.010-1.015.)
I check the wort again on the 5th day and got a reading of 1.023 but I still dont see any activity from the airlock.
My recipe says to add sugar, and bottle the beer when the specific gravity stays the same 2 days in a row. I didn't check my beer last night because I worked late so I dont know what the specific gravity is. I have a secondary glass carboy. Should I ferment my beer further in there even though my recipe does not say to do so? Is my beer ruined or am I just getting antsy and paranoid?
I am a little confused on what to do. I want to continue to follow the recipe but I'm not sure what to do. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
***I also attached pictures of my set up and recipe!
:cross:
