First fermentation time

[PNR]

Good day all!
I have recently set up my first brew, to make English style bitter of around 4%. The instructions indicated that 4-6 days at 18-20 degrees would elapse before the airlock would stop bubbling and I could bottle up.
Today will be the start of the fourth week, with the airlock continuing to burp regularly. I assume this means something went wrong?
Any suggestions as to what the problem might be, or what I did wrong would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance, cheers!

 

[eric19312]

Hew welcome to the hobby. 4 weeks is more than enough. Probably the kit was right and one week was enough but that advice was a little scary too.

Best not to rely on airlock activity as sign of fermentation. Sometimes airlock doesn't bubble even though fermentation is going on. Sometimes even once fermentation is over airlock will bubble from time to time as the beer slowly gives of CO2. If you taste beer right when fermentation is done you will see it is lightly carbonated. Over a couple weeks that carbonation will go flat and may kick off bubbles once in a while. Also if carboy warms a degree or two you can expect a few bubbles.

In order to know if your beer is ready to bottle safest choice is to test it with a hydrometer. Check the gravity. Then 2-3 days later check gravity again. If not changing the beer is done and safe to bottle.

 

[ncbrewer]

Yes - 4 - 6 days and no bubbling doesn't mean it's ready to bottle. CO2 might well be leaking out, and it's still fermenting. If you bottle too soon, you could get bottle bombs.

 

[ericbw]

How often does it bubble? 4 weeks is plenty long enough.

 

[jalc6927]

Check gravity as Eric stated to confirm beers status

 

[PNR]

Thanks very much everyone. Looking forward to see how it turns out!