First time brew: Belgian witbier extract kit

[Krully]

Hi all! I used a Midwest supplies Belgian witbier kit and I added about a 1/2 cup of honey during the boil. When I chilled the wort and attempted to to a hydrometer reading, the hydrometer barely sank in the test tube? It was VERY thick. What did I do wrong? I figured that i chilled it for too long? Thanks!!!


Twitter : @krullyness
First batch of brew : Belgian witbier - August 15, 2014

 

[scottm1]

Did you add water to 5.5gallons?

 

[Krully]

I had the 3 gallons of cold water in the carboy, added the wort and had to top off with about a half gallon more of water


Twitter : @krullyness
First batch of brew : Belgian witbier - August 15, 2014

 

[scottm1]

Not sure maybe to much honey? That would be my guess. How much extract and honey? I have a tool that will give me an estimate on your sg.

 

[scottm1]

Also what temp you took your reading at?

 

[flars]

Your wort and top off water were not mixed thoroughly if your sample was thick. Aerate more and this will mix the boiled wort and top off water. Aeration before fermentation will not oxidize your beer.

 

[Krully]

Took the temp around 80 degrees with 1/2 cup of honey in the boil.


Twitter : @krullyness
First batch of brew : Belgian witbier - August 15, 2014

 

[Krully]

I will mix better my next batch. I shook it, but I think i was being cautious about it. How bad does this affect my batch?


Twitter : @krullyness
First batch of brew : Belgian witbier - August 15, 2014

 

[Krully]

Oh and the extract was two quarts


Twitter : @krullyness
First batch of brew : Belgian witbier - August 15, 2014

 

[flars]

I will mix better my next batch. I shook it, but I think i was being cautious about it. How bad does this affect my batch?


Twitter : @krullyness
First batch of brew : Belgian witbier - August 15, 2014

Aeration effects depends upon the yeast that was used. Rehydrated dry yeast can be pitched into a moderate OG beer without aeration. Liquid yeasts need aeration. What was the yeast you used.

 

[Krully]

Don't like hearing that, I used liquid and I may have rushed the process. It said that the package needed 3 hours to bloat or be at 70-72 degrees. I took the package out and warmed it up in water till the bag bloated just a bit. I think the batch looks fine. The yeast was fairly active throughout the week, it just started slowing down


Twitter : @krullyness
First batch of brew : Belgian witbier - August 15, 2014

 

[flars]

The fermentation starting to slow down after a week sort of indicates you may have a good Wit on your hands.

 

[flars]

Just have to add. Take your first SG reading around 10 to 12 days. Another one 2 to 3 days later to check for FG.
Don't rack it to a secondary vessel no matter what the instructions say.

 

[Krully]

I don't own one of those thief devices. Do you have a good way for getting a sample out of the carboy?

Thank you for the input!

Twitter : @krullyness
First batch of brew : Belgian witbier - August 15, 2014

 

[Krully]

here's what it looks like


Twitter : @krullyness
First batch of brew : Belgian witbier - August 15, 2014

 

[flars]

A sanitized turkey baster will do the job also. An auto siphon will work too. Just use the body of the auto siphon, without tubing attached, to draw the beer up into the tube then pour out.

 

[Krully]

Ok, great thanks!


Twitter : @krullyness
First batch of brew : Belgian witbier - August 15, 2014

 

[flars]

Looks good. Almost in need of a blow off tube assembly. A 5 gallon batch is better in a 6 to 6.5 gallon carboy. Less chance of krausen plugging the airlock.

 

[Krully]

Fantastic, I will look into that! Thanks a ton!


Twitter : @krullyness
First batch of brew : Belgian witbier - August 15, 2014

 

[Krully]

So I took an SG reading and came up with this


Twitter : @krullyness
First batch of brew : Belgian witbier - August 15, 2014