fermentation question

[Pauliwankenobi]

hey there. i brewed my first batch of beer last friday. the pale ale i brewed has been in my primary fermenting bucket for a week and there have not been any significant bubbles in my airlock. there are only very small bubbles on the sides of the airlock and they have not moved for days.

is there any way that i can test my beer to determine whether or not that im on the right track? im worried that my beer is ruined and im wasting time.

should i take a gravity reading? or will oxygen ruin the beer once the airlock is removed?

should i keep waiting?

 

[Nurmey]

Waiting another week would be good, however, since you are concerned that nothing is happening go ahead a take a reading. Don't splash around while you're pulling your sample and you have nothing to worry about. The reading will tell the story and you can stop worrying over your beer.