3rd brew - American oaked rum ale

[KUBU]

Hi folks,

Just started my 3rd brew with a Young's kit - American oaked rum ale. I read so many good things about this kit and if you are going to brew something - make it unusual .

What do I like about this kit: The instructions are very clear and there is no guessing as far as the priming sugar volume goes as this is packaged and added to the kit. My first brew was a failure as I was not sure how much priming sugar to add when it came to bottling and my first batch was as flat as water - still tasted like beer though.

Followed the instructions of this kit to the letter and my starting SG = 1,051 and I am controlling the fermentation temp with a heater tray and temp controller at 22,5 C / 72,5 F (+/- 0,5 degrees). Instructions say to ferment between 20 - 24 C / 68 - 75,2 F so I believe being just over 50% of the recommended temps should do it.

I would like to hear from others who have brewed the same kit and I am "all ears and eyes" to any suggestions or advice to ensure success.

In the mean time I shall keep everyone posted and when it is successful I will gladly offer advice to others who want to brew the same kit.

Great site - keep it up and I shall be back soon.

 

[ong]

You don't want to ferment that warm if you can help it. I'd bring it down to the 65-68 range.

 

[KUBU]

Thank you for the advice. Only question is: Why do the instructions stipulate such high temps? I have made a compromise and brought it down to 21 C for now and we will see how it goes but thank you once again.

I will keep all posted.

Regards
KUBU

 

[dpurdy]

How long do you leave this before bottling ?? Mine has stoped bubbling after a week

 

[ong]

Thank you for the advice. Only question is: Why do the instructions stipulate such high temps? I have made a compromise and brought it down to 21 C for now and we will see how it goes but thank you once again.



I will keep all posted.



Regards

KUBU

Beer kit instructions are usually pretty bad, it seems. They often urge you to rush the beer, or skip over difficult steps like temp control, probably to keep from scaring people off.

 

[KUBU]

How long do you leave this before bottling ?? Mine has stoped bubbling after a week

Mine has come to a slow end too and it has been just past the 7th day. I am going to persevere until the final SG is on or very close to 1.009. Eager to have a taste and it smells good too

Will talk again
KUBU

 

[kh54s10]

For how long to ferment. Until you reach final gravity, then a couple of days to clean up off flavors created during the fermentation. Maybe longer to allow the beer to get clear.

The FG is usually reached in 7-10 days. If you want to be sure things are done and clear wait at least 14 days and possibly up to a month.

Longer is almost always better than too short. But you do not need to ferment for a month, or 2 weeks primary then 2 weeks secondary etc that is often touted. It just needs to be at final gravity and clear.

Bottle conditioning is a different story. You should condition for 3 weeks at about 70 degrees then cool for at least 24 hours. Earlier and you might have carbonation but it will be better after 3 weeks. Much longer for some really big beers.

 

[kh54s10]

Mine has come to a slow end too and it has been just past the 7th day. I am going to persevere until the final SG is on or very close to 1.009. Eager to have a taste and it smells good too

Will talk again
KUBU

Do not get too concerned with getting exactly to the predicted final gravity. Because it is just that, a prediction. Different things can cause the yeast to miss this target.

Extracts especially have a tendency to stop near 1.020.