Early Bottling?

[Sanker]

I did an experimental recipe with only 4.5 lbs of amber malt extract (is that too weak?). The first and second day I had rapid fermentation, as the airlock bubbled faster than I'd seen before. After about the third day with it bubbling a bit, it stopped completely. After a week passed I moved the brew to a secondary fermenter, three days have passed with no fermentation. Should I still let it sit in the secondary for the remaining four days, or is it done what its gonna do and its time for bottling?

 

[Brewmex41]

Do you own a hydrometer?

 

[Sanker]

I do.... initial gravity was 1.038

 

[Brewmex41]

Did you take final gravity readings 3 days apart? If they're the same then you should be safe to bottle if you want to.

 

[Sanker]

I have not.... my first two batches bubbled the airlock for several days, and again in the secondary. Is this just gonna be a weak brew?

 

[Brewmex41]

I recommend taking a sample and checking the final gravity. You are most likely looking at somewhere in the 3-3 1/2 % ABV range.

Taking gravity readings is the only certain way to tell if its done fermenting.

 

[Sanker]

Will do.That kinda sucks, I feared it'd end up in the 3% range. Last time I go cheap and only use 4.5 lbs. I guess it'll be an all day drinking kinda beer!

 

[Brewmex41]

There's nothing wrong with that lol.

 

[RM-MN]

Will do.That kinda sucks, I feared it'd end up in the 3% range. Last time I go cheap and only use 4.5 lbs. I guess it'll be an all day drinking kinda beer!

That kind of depends on whether you are brewing to get buzzed/drunk or if you are brewing for the enjoyment of the flavors. I purposely brewed a batch with about that OG just because I wanted the flavors.

 

[ericbw]

That kind of depends on whether you are brewing to get buzzed/drunk or if you are brewing for the enjoyment of the flavors. I purposely brewed a batch with about that OG just because I wanted the flavors.

Sounds like a mild. As long as the flavor is there, it's fine.

 

[Sanker]

Good point... I never mind a buzz, but I'm brewing for a good tasting brew more than anything!