Well, I am genuinely attempting to cultivate patience, as it seems waiting really is the toughest part of the hobby / craft...
It has actually only been in the bucket since thursday the 10th (6 Days ago), and I worked the airlock gently out to peek thru the hole, and regardless of airlock activity, there was still a healthy layer of foam on top of the brew. So, since I have room on the kitchen counter, I am happily leaving it sit for likely another week.
My first batch had also been from a kit, "American Pale Ale", which called for some hops added after the first three days in the bucket. I added those and after two more days I racked that over to the glass carboy I got in the kit from the LHBS so I could start the red ale.
The APA was brewed and the yeast pitched on Friday the 25th of Feb and I caned it over around march 2nd or 3rd. It formed a nice layer of even foam about an inch think which hung around for a couple of days before dissapating to a thin, partial ring.
I bottled the APA on Weds. the 9th, one week ago today. I am trying to be patient, but at least one of those will be chilled and opened some time this weekend, it is inevitable.
Since I was happy with the results of my first experiment with a gallon of apple juice in a wine jug, I also started a 5 gal batch, mostly per Edwort's recipe but with one pound each of corn sugar and organic cane sugar. I also had some pasteur champagne yeast, not the montreschet, but hey it is all good.
tldr; gonna let the "red ale" sit for a bit yet APA is looking promising and I started a batch of Apfelwein.
Thanks again, and
as always Cheers!