Come along for the ride - First Brew

[tre9er]

Well well. Oops! So, I originally claimed my OG reading seemed too high. Last night before I bottled, my FG seemed high, but had remained stable for 3 readings. So, I added my priming sugar and proceeded. Last night I was thinking, "what if I have a spike in the bottles, and create a bottle bomb!?" So, this morning I took one of my bottles and tested again.....however, this time with a hydrometer instead of my refractometer. Wouldn't you know, the hydrometer reading was much lower than the refractometer reading using the same sample. The hydrometer was 1.018 when the recipe calls for 1.014 FG. My refractometer was reading 1.038!! My question is that since this new reading was taken AFTER adding the priming sugar and about 12 hours in the bottle, how much do you think this new reading is skewed? I'm thinking it might be reading high, but that would mean I am closer to the recipe FG. Thoughts??

You need to de-gas a sample by letting it sit for a good few hours, perhaps some shaking in the test jar and then more resting. Co2 could be inflating your gravity reading. Also chill sample to 60.

 

[MTate37]

I'm still new to the obsession and haven't even used a refractometer yet, but I do seem to recall something about using a refractometer to measure your final gravity will give you a skewed number because the refractometer's true purpose is to measure sugar in water, not sugar in beer with alcohol. I believe that I read that there are formulas for taking into account the alcohol when using a refractometer for measuring final gravity, but since I don't have one I haven't bothered to learn what they are. Your hydrometer reading of 1.018 with an expected FG of 1.014 sounds pretty reasonable to me. I came in a few points high on my first batch and nothing exploded on me.

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure I've seen similar discussions on HBT. Hopefully someone with more experience can either confirm or contradict my statements.

Edit: just found an article on Beersmith talking about refractometer use. Check it out http://beersmith.com/blog/2010/11/02/how-to-use-a-refractometer-brix-and-beer-brewing/

 

[Brulosopher]

You never mentioned you were using a refrac! Alcohol bend light and you'll need to adjust for this. Google: Sean Terril refractometer

Cheers!

 

[4JBrew]

Thanks, guys! I've got a lot to learn about the tools I "thought" I knew how to use. Thanks for the links, I've got some homework to do. Oh, BTW, I was so excited today when I cracked open that first (12 hour old) bottle and was greeted by an ever so gentle "hiss" when the cap came off! I've read many threads regarding bottling time and understand that I'm a good 3 weeks off from being able to enjoy this. However, although no real reason other than curiosity, I'm gonna crack one open at week 1, week, 2 to see the differences in carbonation and taste. SUPER excited about all this!

 

[4JBrew]

Ok, so a week in the bottles. Yes, I know I need at least one more, but I wanted to see just how much carbonation I would have already. I also wanted to give it a taste at this stage. I put the bottle I the fridge last night and cracked the top today.







No real head to speak of, but the color is right and it tasted pretty good. The refreshing whisp of air when I popped the cap was awesome. Gonna make some beer bread tonight and again next week. This is fun!!!!

 

[4JBrew]

 

[RM-MN]

WHUT DID YOU DO TO THAT BEER??? to make it foam up like that in the second picture?

What a difference a week make, eh?

 

[rubybrew]

Looking good! I'm thirsty just looking at that!

 

[matt-tastic]

It doesn't get much better than your own beer and some BeeDubs.

 

[4JBrew]

I didn't get notification there were any new comments, sorry for a late reply!

Thanks all for the tips, comments, etc! I am VERY happy with the way this batch turned out. Giving away bottles to friends and getting great feedback!! I made some beer bread with it and it was awesome!












I plan on making a honey wheat this weekend. I will document this one too, and as suggested, I will not be using a secondary!!!

 

[4JBrew]

I was down to the last 6 beers (all spoken for!) on this batch. I did move on to my next brew...Brew #2.https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/brew-no-2-not-sure-what-expect-378949/

I will be bottling that one on Saturday. I just wanted to say thank you to all of those who helped me answer questions and came along for the ride. As recommended by many of you in this thread, I am not moving the wheat to secondary...It will have been in the Primary for two weeks when I bottle.