First Brew Fermentation Question

[VNP3]

Hi All,

New to the homebrew venture. Quick question i see people have had really active fermentation. I have a 2.5 gallon Mr. Beer kit Pale Ale HME. After Pitching the yeast and leaving alone for 10 days at around 65 degree basement i have seen little to know activity. The mix has gone from cloudy to more translucent, and there was minimal foam on top. Is this normal? Should i let it ferment longer, or did my Mr. Beer yeast fail me?

Thanks in advance and Happy New Year!

Vinny

 

[fletchsj]

1st read the stickys. They give you the answers you desire. 2nd take a small sample and taste it. If is tastes like beer, or at least not sugar water it is fermenting. Don't worry. Either way is let it sit for a whole longer. Good luck.

 

[Quadrupled]

Your beer is probably doing just fine. If the Mr Beer kit comes with a hydrometer/sample tube, you can take a sample to see if the specific gravity is dropping.

Let it ferment at least a full two weeks and make sure the specific gravity is stable (doesn't drop after ~3 consecutive days) before you consider bottling.

Good luck and enjoy the beer!

 

[VNP3]

Thanks! But im a newbie what are the stickys?

 

[Brewnoob1]

Foam on top shows you have some fermentation. The ultimate answer is to get a hydrometer and take before and after readings. That is truly the only way to know if you have fermentation as well as it being finished to avoid bottle bombs.

EDIT: Stickies are the posts at the top of the forum that says STICKY to the left of them. They are the go to threads which has a TON of good information all us noobies should refer to when in doubt.

 

[Minjin]

They are the posts at the top of each page of forum links.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/mr-beer-read-all-about-ask-questions-46360/

 

[midlo-brewer]

Thanks! But im a newbie what are the stickys?

Under the beginner beer brewing forum page find announcement tab towards the top of the page and right below that is a sticky thread called Mr Beer-Read all about it.....That is where you find a ton of mr beer info!

 

[VNP3]

thanks alot guys....I received the Mr Beer Kit as present it didnt come with a hydrometer

 

[Kaz]

thanks alot guys....I received the Mr Beer Kit as present it didnt come with a hydrometer

While a hydrometer is a great tool, you really shouldn't put your sample back into the fermenter, and with a Mr. Beer kit, that means if you take 2 or 3 samples, there goes like 20% of your beer. When I did the Mr. Beer kits, I would usually take a final gravity reading after about 2-3 weeks. If it seemed like it was low enough, then I would bottle.

 

[Quadrupled]

I have an uncle who bottled a Mr Beer kit too early and was awoken in the middle of the night by bottle bombs. I'd recommend that you consider either bottling in plastic or purchasing a hydrometer.

 

[midlo-brewer]

You can purchase a hydrometer fairly cheap online or at a local Homebrew Supply Store. Just be careful because they are quite fragile and do not bounce well..... (Speaking from experience)

 

[ACbrewer]

I used to let it go 2 to 3 weeks, with only an abv around 3.5% that was plent of time for 1 can of HME to go to beer. I'd also take small samples in a cup and taste, if after a week it tasted like beer, I knew it was good.

 

[VNP3]

Thanks guys....considering this is my first venture into homebrewing I'm having a great time. I would really liked to get to a point in my home brewing where I can go all grain!

 

[JoyousRuction]

All grain is easier than you think, mostly it just takes extra time and equipment.

Your LHBS should be able to get you the ingredients in the correct portions, then just add hot water in the correct amounts. PaPazian's book ”Complete joy of homebrewing” is a great resource if you want to get deeper into this hobby, it has a complete set of instructions for all grain brewing.

 

[BOBrob]

Thanks guys....considering this is my first venture into homebrewing I'm having a great time. I would really liked to get to a point in my home brewing where I can go all grain!

OHHH....NOOOO you said "all grain". Now you have to buy a hydrometer and thermometer and coolers and pots and spoons and all kinds of fun needed stuff for the obsession. Welcome to HBT CHeers