First Gravity Reading... and Now for the Questions!

[StuOhQ]

Let's just say I could've used a second pair of hands (or at least a clip to keep the siphon-tube in place). I'll spare you the unflattering step-by-step but I have decided I will definitely be picking up a wine thief before I starting my second brew.

On the upside, the beer is tasting great for what it is. I chose the "American Light" kit from Brewer's Best for my first ever home brew project and it's seeming to go well so far, despite some newbie mistakes detailed in other threads.

The reviews of this very basic kit promised an easy ride, and that it has definitely been. Now that I've gotten a reading - hey, the SG actually went down! - I have a few questions:

First, my Original Gravity was a little under the data-sheet that came with the kit. It was supposed to read 1.037 and instead came in at about 1.032. In future cases, should I add more sugar at that point, after the yeast has been pitched, or should I take a reading before I pitch?

Second, my first Specific Gravity reading showed the beer to be at a 1.006. The guide points to a 1.0008-1.0010 as a recommended Final Gravity, so I still have some fermenting to go before bottling. At this stage, how often should I be taking readings? Do I risk infection if I take too many?

And, finally, should I be shooting hard for a low FG or should I simply bottle the brew once I get two identical SG readings?

Thanks for the help in advance, everyone. I'm really glad to have found this excellent resource of so many knowledgeable brewers. This forum is truly worth a hundred-thousand online tutorials and DIY articles. I'll let you all know how the final product turns out.

 

[msujack]

The starting gravity was probably due to not fully mixing the wort and water. Maybe a temp adjustment due to wort temp when taking the reading too. Wouldn't mess with it by adding sugar. Drys it out. The final gravity looks good! Congrats!

 

[Krovitz]

Forget the thief. I use a sanitized turkey baster.

About how often to take readings, don't worry for at least 2 weeks and then you can check. If the gravity doesn't drop for a few days, its ready. I don't even check at all. I give it 3 weeks for medium beers and just take a reading on bottling day.

 

[ajf]

If the guide says a FG of 1.008-1.010, and you read 1.006, then you have already gotten below the estimated FG.
But don't worry about that. The estimated FG is just that, and the true FG could be a bit higher or lower.
Have you checked your hydrometer in 60F water? It should read 1.000, but it is very common for them to be a few points off. If it reads 0.998, then just add the correction of 0.002 to every reading.
Then, what temperature did you take the 1.006 reading at? If it was not 60F, you will need to apply temperature correction. If you took the reading at 68F, the correction would be 0.001, giving you a reading of 1.007. If you don't have a correction table, Google hydrometer temperature correction.
A common rule of thumb is that if you get two gravity readings the same, taken 3 days apart, then the fermentation is finished, but it won't hurt (in fact it may produce a better beer) if you leave the beer in the fermenter for an extra week or so.
I usually only take one final gravity reading, about 2 - 3 weeks after pitching, and if it's very close to what it should be, I go ahead and keg or bottle.
Every time you take a hydrometer reading you risk introducing an infection, but that risk is so low that I think you could ignore it, but taking a reading while fermentation is still obviously occurring, earlier than 2 weeks after pitching, or within 3 days of the previous reading is IMO a waste of time.

Hope this helps

-a.

 

[StuOhQ]

The final gravity looks good! Congrats!

Yeah, I just realized I misread the data-sheet on Final Gravity: 1.006 is actually below the recommended FG! I'll be checking back on it Saturday or Sunday and if it's unchanged I'm going to go ahead with bottling. It's been exactly two weeks so I suppose that might be enough for a lighter brew.

Also, off topic, the beer has a good heather color but it turned out a little hazy. Is there anything I can do to clear it up before bottling that's not going to wreck the flavor?

 

[Krovitz]

Don't worry about that now. The haze won't effect flavor. On your next brew day, add a tsp of Irish moss OR a tab of whirlflock for the last 15 minutes of your boil. That will help a bit with the haze.