Hydrometer question

[Caucasian]

Hi folks, I started a batch ten days ago and took a hydrometer reading today. The hm sat on the bottom of the sample flask. The beer tasted ok, a little earthy, but ok. Would it be ok to bottle this week
Or should i let it go longer?

 

[superjunior]

welcome aboard.
I'm a fan of letting beer sit in primary for 3-4 weeks so I'd let it sit longer. what kind of beer? why was your hm sitting on the bottom of the flask?

 

[Caucasian]

It's a light Irish ale. Don't know about the hm, it's my first time using one

 

[superjunior]

its got to float off the bottom to get an accurate reading. when your reading is the same for a few consecutive days is when your initial fermentation is done. however the beer will benefit from leaving it in primary longer

 

[nefarious_1_]

+1 to what superjunior said.

Take a larger sample next time so the hydrometer floats. I also leave my beer in primary for a few weeks, but if you want to bottle earlier that's fine too.
Good luck and enjoy your beer!

 

[Caucasian]

I watched a short video on using a hydrometer and saw it floating, not sure what's going on with mine . Will let it sit for another week or so. May take another sample though.

 

[Caucasian]

Thanks for the advice.

 

[reim0027]

Don't forget to adjust your reading for the temperature.

 

[rycov]

sorry if you already know this, but maybe your sample flask is to short or something. it has to have liquid almost as deep as it is tall.

 

[Krrazy]

You might want to test it with water while you're waiting just to make sure it does actually float.

 

[Caucasian]

Took new sample, sg of 1.010. Found some hops in fermenter, could that cause problems?

 

[hough77]

Took new sample, sg of 1.010. Found some hops in fermenter, could that cause problems?

I'm a new brewer but that number looks like an FG reading to me?

 

[Caucasian]

I'm new also, the brews been in primary for 10 days. I'm going To leave it in for a few more days and check again.

 

[hough77]

After ALOT of reading, time is on your side! It sucks being new and not having any to drink!

 

[erkwist]

1.010 could be your fg, if it stays there when you take at the very least another reading. Best to do 3 over the course of 3 days, when you get the same reading all 3 times then its your fg.

 

[Caucasian]

It does really sucks not having home brew to drink, that's why I picked up a case of long trail last weekend. I have the one brew going, a batch of apfelwein i started Saturday and a one gallon batch of apple/blueberry/grape cider i whipped up last night. Hopefully I'll have good stuff to drink all summer.

 

[scoundrel]

After ALOT of reading, time is on your side! It sucks being new and not having any to drink!

That is the key my friend. The biggest mistake as a new brewer is to force the ferment before it's done Give it 3 weeks. I know its hard but I always get great results when primary goes at least 3 weeks. In my early days I racked at 12 days and 14 days and I wish I wouldn't have. Let the yeast do its work and clean up and you and your friends will be impressed by your hard work!!! Welcome and brew often!

 

[erkwist]

It does suck when there is no home brew, but that's the best excuse to sample some commercial examples of the next style you want to brew.