Prebottle Test

[GABrewer1426]

I just tested a small sample of my first brew out of the primary fermentation.

It's the Mr.Beer High Country Candian Draft.

It was a bit on the cloudy side. Looked like a Hef or BlueMoon type beer. It had some decent clarity otherwise.

The taste was decent. It was like flat beer. No gagging or anything nasty. If it were cold and carbonated I would definately drink it.

It's been fermenting for 11 days. I think tomorrow I will rinse out the (glass) bottles, sanitize, and then proceed to bottle! Throwing out the Mr. Beer instructions (thank you HBT posters), I plan on using some Muntons carb tabs. The LHBS guy sold me them. He suggested I use 5 tabs per 12oz bottle.

I was thinking of putting 5 in some and 4 in others. Any thoughts on that vs just putting 5 in each? 5 just seemed like an awful lot.

 

[HVBrewtality]

there is nothing wrong with experimenting with the carb tabs to see how much CO2 you want in your brew.

please tell me you have a hydrometer, however. I would not want you bottling just because it has been 11 days. chances are you are fine, but I trust the hydrometer over the calendar.

for the clarity, most of the yeast in suspension will crash to the bottom of the bottle when you put them in the fridge prior to drinking. the beer will be much clearer when you pour it into the glass as long as you don't disturb the sediment.

 

[GABrewer1426]

Unfortunately I do not proses a hydrometer.
Since I'm heading to the LHBS tomorrow to pick up ingredients for my next batch, I could pick one up (if they aren't too expensive; I'll research after I post).

I figured that about the clarity, from what I've read. I was more concerned about if there was a significant difference from 4 or 5 tabs. I'll experiment (being sure to mark the bottles accordingly) and then I will have a more concise idea for future brews.

If I use the hydrometer, what am I looking for? What is ideal?

 

[ifishsum]

I don't think Mr. Beer publishes a final gravity estimate for their recipes, so you won't really have anything to compare it to but I bet it comes in at 1.010 or so if you used the exact recipe. When I did Mr. Beer batches I didn't test them, just waited 10-14 days and bottled - if it's starting to clear and it's been 11 days it ought to be done. Since it's a mass produced kit they should be consistent and predictable.

You will certainly want a hydrometer when you're ready to upgrade, so might as well get one if you can.

The beer will further clear in the bottles while you're waiting for them to carbonate.

 

[GABrewer1426]

Thanks!
After reading up, I never took an OG reading to compare it with a FG reading. So it'd be useless at this point.

I'll bottle it tomorrow and it should be alright.

 

[cyberbackpacker]

No, it still has value. The only way to be absolutely sure that fermentation has ended is to take a hydrometer reading over a a period of 3-5 days. If the readings are the same after at least 3 consecutive days, THEN the beer is ready to be bottled, and not before then!

 

[dogbar]

On your next batch, try bottling using the boiled priming sugar method. I think you'll be surprised how much more convenient it is.

Also, don't be surprised in a week when the beer doesn't taste as good as it does now. Give it a little more time to relax before drinking.

Good luck with your beer.

 

[GABrewer1426]

Cyberbackpacker - OK. I was confused by what i was seeing/reading about them. Basically once it's 'settled down' then it's good to bottle.

Dogbag - I think I'm going to do the boiled priming sugar method once I'm out of those bottling tabs. Just taking wee little baby steps and bigger steps where/when I can.

 

[thevalkrye]

"Dogbag"...ha ha ha ha ha ha