I recently picked up one of those $64 kits from Groupon/Midwest. I've done a few batches of Mr.Beer, but this was my first 5gallon batch and my first time using "specialty grains"
I did the Midwest Autumn Amber recipe. OG reading was 1.044 (within the suggested range for their recipe). The airlock bubbled slow but steady for about 4 days. Then it stopped dead. I fought my urge to panic, and let it sit for a full week before I checked it. Looks like the final gravity is 1.016. (The recipe suggested it should ferment down to 1.012). I was hoping it would continue to ferment a bit lower, but it has held steady at 1.016 for the last several days.
So here's my question. The recipe suggests 5 to 7 days for primary fermentation, and another 5 to 7 in a secondary. I have an additional fermenter (better bottle) I could rack into... but it doesnt look like anything else is happening in there so what's the point? Also, what can I do to increase my attenuation on my next batch? I have this recipe on deck for March. I would like to get more than 4%ABV out of this one.
I did the Midwest Autumn Amber recipe. OG reading was 1.044 (within the suggested range for their recipe). The airlock bubbled slow but steady for about 4 days. Then it stopped dead. I fought my urge to panic, and let it sit for a full week before I checked it. Looks like the final gravity is 1.016. (The recipe suggested it should ferment down to 1.012). I was hoping it would continue to ferment a bit lower, but it has held steady at 1.016 for the last several days.
So here's my question. The recipe suggests 5 to 7 days for primary fermentation, and another 5 to 7 in a secondary. I have an additional fermenter (better bottle) I could rack into... but it doesnt look like anything else is happening in there so what's the point? Also, what can I do to increase my attenuation on my next batch? I have this recipe on deck for March. I would like to get more than 4%ABV out of this one.