First brew - stopped fermenting

[TheDisapprovingBrit]

I got a Coopers starter kit for Christmas, and started brewing up the included batch of lager last week. My OG was 1.036, and on day 5 fermentation seems to have stopped at 1.015. From what I can gather, the ideal FG is around 1.008.

It's been fermenting at room temperature which has been around 20C - I suspect this is a little low for it which has caused it not to ferment as well as I'd like.

Is this first batch fine to bottle and start secondary fermentation with? I'm guessing there's still going to be unfermented sugars in there which will give me quite a sweet brew, but is that much of a problem (other than the lack of strength)?

If this batch goes reasonably well, I'm hoping to persuade the other half to let me acquire a second hand fridge and massacre it as a temperature controlled fermenting box, but I really want to get a half decent brew with just the kit she bought me first.

 

[Psylocide]

5 days is too soon to be thinking of bottling. How long has it been at 1.015?

What Coopers kit was it? That OG seems kind of low.

Also, what size batch did you make? 23L or 19L?

If it was a Coopers Lager kit with Lager yeast, 20° C is likely too high.

The biggest issue with bottling before fermentation is complete would be bottle bombs, and you definitely do not want those.

 

[ChelisHubby]

For a Lager 20 was too warm but what is done Is done. that said I would wait for a week or more before bottling I would imagine your yeast will still be fermenting for several more days.

 

[TheDisapprovingBrit]

5 days is too soon to be thinking of bottling. How long has it been at 1.015?

What Coopers kit was it? That OG seems kind of low.

Also, what size batch did you make? 23L or 19L?

If it was a Coopers Lager kit with Lager yeast, 20° C is likely too high.

The biggest issue with bottling before fermentation is complete would be bottle bombs, and you definitely do not want those.

Today is the third day at around 1.015, although my readings went 1.016 -> 1.020 -> 1.015, so it could be that the hydrometer isn't great or I'm just plain reading it wrong, since I don't understand why the reading would go up.

It's the Coopers starter kit, which comes with the standard Lager beer kit, although from reading other sites I gather this still uses an ale yeast. The recommended starting temp is 21-27, but there isn't any guidance on storage temp. I made a 23l batch.

I was originally planning on bottling on day 7 as per instructions, but the hydro readings are making me think something is amiss, so I was considering bottling tomorrow (day 6) if it doesn't change.

Another point on bottling - the kit comes with 500ml bottles, but the carbonation drops included are 1 drop per 375ml. I was planning a mixture of bottles to test full bottles with both 1 and 2 drops, and bottles filled to 375ml with 1 drop to see what works best.

 

[Psylocide]

Today is the third day at around 1.015, although my readings went 1.016 -> 1.020 -> 1.015, so it could be that the hydrometer isn't great or I'm just plain reading it wrong, since I don't understand why the reading would go up.

It's the Coopers starter kit, which comes with the standard Lager beer kit, although from reading other sites I gather this still uses an ale yeast. The recommended starting temp is 21-27, but there isn't any guidance on storage temp. I made a 23l batch.

I was originally planning on bottling on day 7 as per instructions, but the hydro readings are making me think something is amiss, so I was considering bottling tomorrow (day 6) if it doesn't change.

Another point on bottling - the kit comes with 500ml bottles, but the carbonation drops included are 1 drop per 375ml. I was planning a mixture of bottles to test full bottles with both 1 and 2 drops, and bottles filled to 375ml with 1 drop to see what works best.

Ok.

First things first - if it was the Coopers lager kit, then your OG was about right on for a 23L batch.

Second - If it does come with Ale yest, then your temperature is a non issue. Ale yeasts can ferment successfully below 60°F, so I wouldn't think it has stalled out from temperature.

Third - if your hydrometer gets stuck on the side of your beaker, you can get some weird readings (i.e. your 1.020)... or the temp could have been higher for whatever reason and that will mess with a hydrometer. What temperature are you taking the reading at? This calculator may help: http://hbd.org/cgi-bin/recipator/recipator/hydrometer.html

As for bottling on day 7... I know that's what the kit says to do, but I would recommend taking another hydrometer reading. If it comes out at 1.015... you're probably OK to bottle, but letting it sit another week will only help the beer. The yeast will clean up their by-products of fermentation and you will ensure that you'll be at stable FG.

Have you tasted your hydrometer samples? Does it taste good? That's another sign of whether you think you're ready to bottle or not. It will not taste like the finished product, but should give you a good idea. If anything tastes 'off,' another week may very well clear that up.

Also, I know nothing of carbonation drops, so I won't be much help there.

Good luck! In any case, you're on the road to drinkable beer and the best ingredient right now is patience. As hard as it is to wait. I know.

 

[titansvol]

Ok.

First things first - if it was the Coopers lager kit, then your OG was about right on for a 23L batch.

Second - If it does come with Ale yest, then your temperature is a non issue. Ale yeasts can ferment successfully below 60°F, so I wouldn't think it has stalled out from temperature.

Third - if your hydrometer gets stuck on the side of your beaker, you can get some weird readings (i.e. your 1.020)... or the temp could have been higher for whatever reason and that will mess with a hydrometer. What temperature are you taking the reading at? This calculator may help: http://hbd.org/cgi-bin/recipator/recipator/hydrometer.html

As for bottling on day 7... I know that's what the kit says to do, but I would recommend taking another hydrometer reading. If it comes out at 1.015... you're probably OK to bottle, but letting it sit another week will only help the beer. The yeast will clean up their by-products of fermentation and you will ensure that you'll be at stable FG.

Have you tasted your hydrometer samples? Does it taste good? That's another sign of whether you think you're ready to bottle or not. It will not taste like the finished product, but should give you a good idea. If anything tastes 'off,' another week may very well clear that up.

Also, I know nothing of carbonation drops, so I won't be much help there.

Good luck! In any case, you're on the road to drinkable beer and the best ingredient right now is patience. As hard as it is to wait. I know.

I agree 100% with letting it go at least another week.

 

[TheDisapprovingBrit]

Good advice, thanks all. I haven't tasted the hydrometer samples, but they smell OK. I'll leave it another week and see what it does. My concern with waiting was that it would go 'off' if not bottled pretty quickly after the SG settled down - from reading your comments, it seems that this isn't an issue.

 

[Stepphy]

I'm having the same issues with my kit, same larger and yeast and basically the same readings.
How did your beer turn out? I'm thinking of throwing this lot out and starting again, but that may just be me over reacting

 

[BlueHouseBrewhaus]

Do NOT toss it. Extract brews are known for finishing a little high. Let it ferment for at least 2 weeks and then bottle if the SG stays steady for the last 3 days. Try one after 3 weeks. Chances are it will be fine. Even if it's not what you were shooting for, it will still be beer. I've had brews that were meh at one month and great at 6 months. Never toss a brew unless you know it is infected. Time heals most wounds

 

[seabrew8]

I got a Coopers starter kit for Christmas, and started brewing up the included batch of lager last week. My OG was 1.036, and on day 5 fermentation seems to have stopped at 1.015. From what I can gather, the ideal FG is around 1.008.

It's been fermenting at room temperature which has been around 20C - I suspect this is a little low for it which has caused it not to ferment as well as I'd like.

Is this first batch fine to bottle and start secondary fermentation with? I'm guessing there's still going to be unfermented sugars in there which will give me quite a sweet brew, but is that much of a problem (other than the lack of strength)?

If this batch goes reasonably well, I'm hoping to persuade the other half to let me acquire a second hand fridge and massacre it as a temperature controlled fermenting box, but I really want to get a half decent brew with just the kit she bought me first.

Weak beer. I would reduce the volume next time. Or throw in some sugar or something. You can even put a few pounds in it today. To feed the yeast.

Here's a really good link to use for homebrew
http://www.brewersfriend.com/abv-calculator/

btw your temp. is fine.

yeah man that beer is only %2.75 i would pour 2 pounds of sugar in it personally - boil it with a liter or so of water. But thats just me. I wouldn't expect to much out of that batch.

This is one of your best friends if you want to get into brewing. Just fill in the Fermentables and batch size for pre-hopped extract. Also use the extract "brew method".

http://www.brewersfriend.com/homebrew/recipe/calculator/

 

[seabrew8]

i just realized this post is over a year old!!!!!!!! DUH!

 

[seabrew8]

I'm having the same issues with my kit, same larger and yeast and basically the same readings.
How did your beer turn out? I'm thinking of throwing this lot out and starting again, but that may just be me over reacting

Maybe put some more sugar in it? I wouldn't toss it personally.

 

[Stepphy]

Do NOT toss it. Extract brews are known for finishing a little high. Let it ferment for at least 2 weeks and then bottle if the SG stays steady for the last 3 days. Try one after 3 weeks. Chances are it will be fine. Even if it's not what you were shooting for, it will still be beer. I've had brews that were meh at one month and great at 6 months. Never toss a brew unless you know it is infected. Time heals most wounds

Thanks for the advice, it's been fermenting for a week now so i'll leave it for another and then bottle it. It's a bit nerve wracking when you don't know what should be happening and when.

 

[Sadu]

Thanks for the advice, it's been fermenting for a week now so i'll leave it for another and then bottle it. It's a bit nerve wracking when you don't know what should be happening and when.

Yep, your first brew will feel like you are getting conflicting information from all directions. All you want is drinkable beer but it can be a rollercoaster of ups and downs while you wait to taste that first bottle.

Those Coopers kits are designed for you to screw a few things up and most people get pretty ok beer out the other end. Definitely don't go dumping a batch since you don't have the experience right now to know if it's beyond repair - and there's still every chance it will come out ok or better.

I don't think there is anyone on this forum who hasn't had a terrible brew come out really great simply by leaving it alone to mature for longer.

 

[Stepphy]

Thanks, i'm not sure i want to invest in anything other than this starter kit setup just yet, I'll have to see what's available in the kits though i'd like to try wine and cider's at some point.