First brew... Help!

[alecwhittle]

Im currently brewing my very first beer. I am brewing 40pints of "Geordie" lager. I have followed instructions and the beer has been in a fermenter for 1day. The instructions tell me to check gravity reading and bottle or transfer to pressure barrel once the reading is 1.005 or less for two consecutive days. Is this correct? Or should I be leaving it for much longer? Also how do I transfer my beer from fermenter to pressure barrel?

 

[BobBailey]

check the gravity in 2 weeks. Then recheck a couple of days later. If it hasn't dropped any more, it's ready to bottle. Patience is a definite virtue when brewing. Some might argue, but I contend that no beer is at it's best unless it has been in the fermenter for at least three weeks. then you need to wait at least two to 3 more weeks with the bottles at room temperature before sampling.

This is not a hobby for the impatient.

Bob

 

[alecwhittle]

I have a pressure barrel. Once the beer is in the pressure barrel do I need to bottle after or can I drink it straight out of the barrel?

 

[dstranger99]

Also how do I transfer my beer from fermenter to pressure barrel?

I'd assume the normal way? just use a racking cane & hose.

 

[sweed]

What temperature do you have thus fermenting at? its a lager so it'll be quite cool. What is the OG? You'll most likely want it in there for 2-3 weeks before transferring. Are you bottling or kegging?

 

[alecwhittle]

The lager is 22*c and I want to keg.

 

[kwingert]

22*c is pretty warm for a lager, its actually pretty warm for an ale. What yeast are you using?

 

[alecwhittle]

The yeast is "special brewing yeast" which came with the liquid kit. The instructions say ideal temp is 18* - 24*c.