Newbie fermentation question

[stoneyts]

I hope this isn't too long but I have a question about what is going on with my 1st brew. While my beer was in the primary fermenter I saw no bubbles in the airlock after about 4 days. I used Safale-04 yeast. Due to a dried cherry addition I moved the beer to a sec. fermenter ( a glass carboy) The time in the primary was a week @ approx 65-68 deg. There was a small amt of spraying against the side of the carboy during transfer until the level covered the hose. When done I added water to fill the carboy to approx 6" below the very top of the neck. I have been seeing bubbles approx every 10 seconds in my airlock. I have been advised by my LHBS to increase the ambient temp to 70-72. How long can I expect to see the bubbles? My OG was 1.065 and it is now 1.006 @ 70 deg. This coming Sunday will be 2wks in the carboy. Any input will be gladly received. Thanks in advance!!!

 

[F250]

What was the point of adding water to the secondary?

Rick

 

[GrogNerd]

don't know why you added any water to the secondary, but the 1.006 measurement is that water, not your beer. don't rely on the airlock to determine whether the beer is done fermenting. gravity readings are the only sure-fire way and you really didn't do yourself any favors by topping off that carboy

your beer will turn out fine, if a little watered down

65-68° is fine. leave it another week, then bottle/keg.

 

[stoneyts]

I read somewhere that I should add water to take up head space to help eliminate extra oxygen exposure to the beer. The 1.007 was the beer gravity. Does this mean I will end up with beer tasting water?

 

[stoneyts]

I added about 1 gal to bring it back to 5 gal after transferring it to the carboy.

 

[freisste]

I read somewhere that I should add water to take up head space to help eliminate extra oxygen exposure to the beer. The 1.007 was the beer gravity. Does this mean I will end up with beer tasting water?

The comment made was regarding the fact that you likely didn't get good mixing of your beer and top off water. This resulted in you measuring the gravity of mostly top of water with a little beer in it.

In the future, don't add water to your secondary. This time, don't worry. What's done is done and it will almost certainly be drinkable beer.

 

[stoneyts]

Thanks for all the input. The waiting is the hardest part. LOL

 

[GrogNerd]

I read somewhere that I should add water to take up head space to help eliminate extra oxygen exposure to the beer. The 1.007 was the beer gravity. Does this mean I will end up with beer tasting water?

watery beer. not the worst thing in the world; at least it's beer.

top off when going from boil kettle to primary, not primary to secondary.

good luck & let us know how it turns out

 

[stoneyts]

Yea, I went back to where I read about the top off and it was what you said. Top up to 5 gal into the primary. I won't make that mistake again!

 

[GrogNerd]

at the worst, you made beer.

ain't it great?

 

[stoneyts]

Ok, so I just checked FG again. Considering what Grog said, it makes sense about the water/ beer mix. I'm not getting bubbles anymore and took the sample the same way with the same FG. I figure it must be done. Here's where it gets a little weird. In an effort to get and keep the 70-72 temp I had put it in front of the baseboard heater in my small bathroom. It was staying around 68 prior to that but shot up to 76 and I had tons of bubbling in the airlock. When I discovered it that warm I moved it back to the closet and after awhile it came back down. This is when the bubbling stopped. Its been 2 days w/o bubbles in the airlock. With my OG @ 1.065 and FG @ 1.006@ 68* what can I expect as an ABV? I'm thinking I could bottle this weekend. Am I right in my thinking? I know I am worrying about stuff that a newbie would and appreciate y'all's input a ton. Thanks for your patience!!!

 

[nivaguk]

Ok, so I just checked FG again. Considering what Grog said, it makes sense about the water/ beer mix. I'm not getting bubbles anymore and took the sample the same way with the same FG. I figure it must be done. Here's where it gets a little weird. In an effort to get and keep the 70-72 temp I had put it in front of the baseboard heater in my small bathroom. It was staying around 68 prior to that but shot up to 76 and I had tons of bubbling in the airlock. When I discovered it that warm I moved it back to the closet and after awhile it came back down. This is when the bubbling stopped. Its been 2 days w/o bubbles in the airlock. With my OG @ 1.065 and FG @ 1.006@ 68* what can I expect as an ABV? I'm thinking I could bottle this weekend. Am I right in my thinking? I know I am worrying about stuff that a newbie would and appreciate y'all's input a ton. Thanks for your patience!!!

According to my calculations (welll I say calculations it's actually an app I use to work out ABV) you should be looking between 7% and 7.5%

 

[stoneyts]

That's what I was figuring also. The comments about the beer being watered down was why I asked. The kits target is listed as 6.5% so with an OG of 1.065 and FG of 1.016. Wonder what I did that brought it out higher. No matter, I look forward to trying it, and if I get a good buzz in the process, all the better!