Just started a boil, need some advice asap!

[tre9er]

Even better. Try to keep the fermenter at a stable temp. I wrap blanket or towel over it

 

[dandog2500]

I wasn't going to do a second fermenter. Is it necessary because I have so much sediment? How else can i filter it out? Or will it eventually settle like the yeast cake does?

 

[chickypad]

It should all settle out into a nice compact layer if you leave it in the primary for 3 wks or so. Just FYI - ambient temp of 65-68 could mean fermenting temp over 70. I would get a stick on thermometer for the fermenter. When I said mid to low 60's I meant beer temp.
Again, just my opinion but you will find a lot of other folks on here also like to ferment their ales lower to get clean flavors.

 

[dandog2500]

Hmmm...maybe ill put it in the basement. No heat down there. It's a condo so there's just divided spaces. My basement is near the front of the unit so temps I would think are around 58

 

[tre9er]

I feel like 58 is too low for ale yeasts. Don't worry. Sixties is fine

 

[hough77]

I am taking all advice I can get, Hough77 do i rehydrate the US-05 Packs? Depending on the OG how will I know to use 1 or 2 packs? I read that a starting gravity of > 1.08 would like a starter.

I do, fermentation starts quicker when rehydrated, I've done it a few times now and it works. The quicker it starts the better off you are. 1 packet may be enough, why have them get tired and give off any bad flavors or aromas. If it was liquid, then definitely 2 packs or vials. I would make a starter from now on though, it will improve the end result. It's not hard to do, and you don't have to buy a bunch of extra stuff to do it. (unless you want to)

 

[dandog2500]

Quick update, the batch is fermenting quite nicely.

The air lock appears to have stopped bubbling. Its been about 5 days. Should i add the dry hops now? Maybe take a hydrometer reading?

 

[tre9er]

Take hydro reading for 2-3 days. If stable, dry hop and wait another week to rack to bottling bucket/keg.

 

[dandog2500]

I'm wasn't going to do secondary fermenter, so after I dry hop should I leave it for another week and then bottle?

 

[Captainfester]

dandog where in meriden do you live. i live on paddock over on the east side.

 

[Captainfester]

also the people at beer and wine makers in hartford are aholes. brew wine in east hartford. which is like 2 min from beer and wine are much cooler guys. very helpful

 

[tre9er]

I'm wasn't going to do secondary fermenter, so after I dry hop should I leave it for another week and then bottle?

Yes, 10 days isn't uncommon either.

 

[dandog2500]

Cool thanks tre, captin I'm in sterling village right down the street haha. The beer and wine in east Hartford is closed for moving I think. They are re-opening the new location on March 1

 

[dandog2500]

OOh tre I have the option to dry hop by using the steeping bag OR just dumping the hops in loosly. Any preference?

 

[pabloj13]

I feel like 58 is too low for ale yeasts. Don't worry. Sixties is fine

I disagree. 58 is ambient temp. Fermentation will kick that up into the low 60's which is PERFECT. I would put it down there where it is 58 if I were you.

 

[tre9er]

OOh tre I have the option to dry hop by using the steeping bag OR just dumping the hops in loosly. Any preference?

Either, as long as you strain or rack very carefully when you go to bottle

 

[nimo23]

Cool thanks tre, captin I'm in sterling village right down the street haha. The beer and wine in east Hartford is closed for moving I think. They are re-opening the new location on March 1

Brew and wine is open while they move. I was in there the other day, go check them out!

 

[Captainfester]

dandog and nimo, we should get together one day and discuss some brewing / share a few.

i am currently brewing extract kits. i have 1 in bottles 1 about to be bottle this weekend and 4 more to be brewed in next few weeks.

 

[dandog2500]

My festa brew oatmeal stout has been bottled for 2 weeks Sunday. Can't wait to try it. This home brewing is addictive, I already want to make another.

 

[dandog2500]

Took the hydro reading. Its at 1.012, temp should be around 65. I gave it a good sniff and it burnt my nose inside...


edit: My Brewcraft USA instructions say the FG should be 1.013, im at 1.012 which i assume is fine. About that smell that burnt my nose, is that ok? I smelled it a a few seconds after i took the lid off

 

[TwiggyTwig]

About that smell that burnt my nose, is that ok? I smelled it a a few seconds after i took the lid off

That's just a ton of CO2. You're fine. :rockin:

 

[dandog2500]

Update on the Double oatmeal stout. I opened a chilled bottle and took a hydro reading. It dropped to 1.022 so if the abv calculator is semi accurate, i should be at about 3.68% alc. Tastes really good and has a really nice smell. Now, let's see how long 60 bottles lasts.