Another incompitant newbie

[Proofman]

Howdy! I’m totally new to this forum and home brewing. I have always wanted to try but was intimidated. I’m a terrible cook, so I thought there was no hope. Well, I got a kit for Christmas and I just started my first batch, and problem.

I took the original gravity reading and it was 1.014. The kit (red ale) directions stated it should be around 1.040. Is this a problem?

Also, when transferring the wort to the fermenter the direction tell me to do this without transferring the sludge. Well, when I was down to the last couple of inches in the brewpot there was slot of suspended sludge in the wort. If I got all the wort, I would have transferred nearly all the sludge to (99%). So I left the last couple of inches of wort out. Is this a problem, and/or are these two related?

 

[Reverend JC]

Hello and welcome proofman.

#1 the 1.014 OG. its not a problem per say, but you will only have like a .5% alcohol brew. Is it possible you read it wrong? if you used all the malt extract that came with the kit there is really no way you could have ended up with that low of an OG.

#2 the sludge. You are fine, you could have transferred a bit more "sludge" and you would have been fine. all that was, and i am guessing, was your cold break, hops and coagulated proteins.

Good luck and happy brewing!

 

[Proofman]

The ingredients kit I used was Brewers Best Red Ale.

I used all the malt extract. I'm pretty sure I read the hydrometer correctly. It settled two marks down from the 10 (i.e., 1.000 then 10, then the second mark down).

Hmmmm...If there is an impossible way for me to screw something up, I'll do it.

 

[ajf]

With extract brews, it is virtually impossible to mess up on the gravity (unless you forget to add the extract).

It is possible to have a hydrometer that lies. You can check it in plain cold water, and it should read 1.000.

It's also possible to gently add water to the wort, and take the gravity without stirring. In this case, the gravity will be very low. (I did this last week). I suspect that this is what happened, but it's nothing to worry about. The yeasts will sort it out for you.

-a.

 

[Yooper]

I've made that kit in the past- there is no way your o.g. is that low, unless you used like 15 gallons of water.

Make sure the hydrometer is floating in the tube, or floating in the wort. Sanitize a turkey baster and fill up the testing jar (or the container it came in if you don't have a test jar). Then gently drop the hydrometer in, swirling it to make sure it's not being held up by air bubbles or sediment. It should float freely until it rests. Don't let it touch the bottom of the test jar. Then read the level of the beer. I bet it's really around 1.040.

Let us know if it's not, though. We might have some suggestions.

Lorena

 

[Proofman]

lorenae, I think you got it! I bought a container to use the hydrometer in. It looks like a graduated cylinder w/o the graduation. I put the hydrometer in the container then added the wort (wort temp ~73F). I did that so that when I added the hydromter I would not cause the wort to overflow. However, I did pick up the hydrometer a little and turn it in the cylinder and the reading stayed the same. ajf, I will still test my hydrometer and report back.

 

[Proofman]

Success! I just took another reading and the OG was around 1.038. That sounds a little better!

Thanks for all your replies. I won’t be too upset if my first batch comes out undrinkable, but I really want it to work out. I’m doing my damnedest to get it to work. So I may be back bugging you all for more help.

Also, when I say I can’t cook. I mean I can’t even make Easy Mac. I had been eating the stuff for a couple of months wondering why it was so damned watery until my wife showed me how to make it.

 

[fatboy570]

If you are using a plastic bucket fermenter, try to find a strainer large enough to fit across the bucket. It will help keep some of the hops, etc. out and also helps some with aeration. Just my $.02

 

[giant016]

Also, when I say I can’t cook. I mean I can’t even make Easy Mac. I had been eating the stuff for a couple of months wondering why it was so damned watery until my wife showed me how to make it.

Ha! My buddies gave me crap for months when I told them I messed up EasyMac (I ended up with macaroni & cheese soup as well). There's something depressing about messing something up with "easy" in it's name. Don't worry about it! My first batch of ale turned out alright and I messed up countless things.

 

[Proofman]

Thanks alot for all your responses. I will keep you all updated.

giant016, I'm glad to hear I'm not the only adult to make EasyMac soup!

 

[Proofman]

I thought I would post an update on how my brew turned out and say thanks again.

After spending about 3 weeks in the fermenting bucket I took a final gravity reading and it was a few points higher than what the kit suggested (Brewers Best Red Ale). It seemed to have leveled off (If I remember correctly my FG was about 1.014). I decided to go ahead and bottle. I sampled a little at that time and it was a little ‘watery.’

Last Sunday was the 3 week mark from bottling, but after spending two days (Fri & Sat) installing wood floors I decided to try a bottle Sat night. I was very impressed. I though it was quite good. It was amazingly clear (not the least bit opaque). It is REALLY good! I was shocked. The more I drink it, the more I like it. I would buy this if it was sold in the store.

I do have some criticisms. I don’t know how to explain it, but the flavor was a little lacking in the bottom end, if that makes sense? Also, it seems a little weeks as far as alcohol content. Also, although it seems to be carbonated plenty, it seems to be lacking in the head department. Pouring straight into the glass I only get about 3/4” head. Despite these criticisms, I’m very pleased. In fact, I will be burning through this batch quite quickly.

For my next batch I will try a porter.

Thanks.

 

[Brewing Clamper]

I just love the fact that you misspelled "incompetent."

 

[cwb124]

I thought I would post an update on how my brew turned out and say thanks again.

After spending about 3 weeks in the fermenting bucket I took a final gravity reading and it was a few points higher than what the kit suggested (Brewers Best Red Ale). It seemed to have leveled off (If I remember correctly my FG was about 1.014). I decided to go ahead and bottle. I sampled a little at that time and it was a little ‘watery.’

Last Sunday was the 3 week mark from bottling, but after spending two days (Fri & Sat) installing wood floors I decided to try a bottle Sat night. I was very impressed. I though it was quite good. It was amazingly clear (not the least bit opaque). It is REALLY good! I was shocked. The more I drink it, the more I like it. I would buy this if it was sold in the store.

I do have some criticisms. I don’t know how to explain it, but the flavor was a little lacking in the bottom end, if that makes sense? Also, it seems a little weeks as far as alcohol content. Also, although it seems to be carbonated plenty, it seems to be lacking in the head department. Pouring straight into the glass I only get about 3/4” head. Despite these criticisms, I’m very pleased. In fact, I will be burning through this batch quite quickly.

For my next batch I will try a porter.

Thanks.

I just bottled my first batch which was also a Brewer's best Red Ale kit.

One question though, why 3 weeks in the primary? I know the instructions say something like 7-10 days max, just curious your reasoning. I used a secondary with mine, and the color, taste, and smell are very good so far. It's only been in the bottles for 3 days so I am not even close to drinking it. Sounds like yours turned out. I will keep track of this thread and report how my Red Ale kit comes out. I bought a six pack of Rogue Red Ale the other day, and I can only hope my beer comes out half as good. I'd be a happy man.

 

[Proofman]

I based of the discussion in this thread:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?p=179871#post179871

 

[Proofman]

I just love the fact that you misspelled "incompetent."

You don't know the half of it. I work out and about through the day and I call my wife while i'm working and ask how to spell certain words sometimes.

 

[Yin_Yang]

I just bottled my first batch which was also a Brewer's best Red Ale kit.

One question though, why 3 weeks in the primary? I know the instructions say something like 7-10 days max, just curious your reasoning. I used a secondary with mine, and the color, taste, and smell are very good so far. It's only been in the bottles for 3 days so I am not even close to drinking it. Sounds like yours turned out. I will keep track of this thread and report how my Red Ale kit comes out. I bought a six pack of Rogue Red Ale the other day, and I can only hope my beer comes out half as good. I'd be a happy man.

maybe he doesnt have a secondary yet?