Mr. Beer kit Oktober Fest

[smitty0341]

On Saturday 9/08/12 I brewed a batch of October Fest. This was my second time brewing, and first time brewing beer. It was deffinatly a learning experience. I had a few unexpected bumps during the brewing process, but I think the beer will turn out good. The wort smelled fabulous, and so far it looks like its coming along as its supposed to. My question would be should I let it sit for 2 weeks as the instructions say, or go a week then bottle it? Any advice would be helpful.

 

[aiptasia]

Let it sit. The yeast will finish it's primary fermentation when your measured final gravity is stable for 3 days. This is usually after a week to ten days but can take longer.

The yeasts produce a lot of fuesel alcohols like diacetyl, and will actually convert them later on in the brewing process into more acceptable alcohols. Therefore, it's always a good idea to let your beer "rest" for a while after primary fermentation on the yeast cake. Usually 3-4 days is sufficient for a Diacetyl rest, but it doesn't hurt to let the beer sit a little longer.

 

[allenH]

I brewed this beer when I first started ( although, I added DME, additional hops and better yeast), my buddy brewed the premium kit, no booster and additional hops, both turned out very good. I would ditch the instructions and ferment for 3 weeks and carb for 3 weeks. Set as much as you can aside for later, it really improves with some age on it.

 

[smitty0341]

Thanks for the advice. Some of the terminology in brewing is still new and I haven't learned all of it yet. What do I need to get a gravity reading with a Mr Beer kit? All I have is there 2 gallon carboy, and bottles. I know I need to build my toolbox, but that will come with more time and money.

 

[aiptasia]

A simple floating hydrometer. They run about ten bucks American. It will tell you the amount of dissolved solids (in our case, malt sugars) in your wort. Take a measurement (called an Original Gravity reading) right before you pitch your yeast into your wort. Write this number down someplace, and then take some measurements by letting it float in your beer as it ferments. When the hydrometer measurement is stable for three days (doesn't change), then your beer is finished it's primary fermentation. Prior to bottling the beer, take another measurement. This is known as your Final Gravity reading, and you can calculate the alcohol by volume level of your beer (how much alcohol is in each glass) with it.

ABV Formula:

(OG - FG) x 131.25 = ABV%

 

[smitty0341]

Thanks alot that's very helpful

 

[smitty0341]

I just checked the fermenter and the side of the lid looks like it has some of the beer on it. Is that normal?

 

[Beer-lord]

That might be some of the krausen that came out the air vents when it was fermenting. If you have some Star Sans or no rinse sanitizer, put some on a paper towel and wipe around the edges of the cap just as a precaution to a possible infection.

 

[smitty0341]

Ok will do thanks