Thank you from a newbie

[nyer]

On Saturday I kegged part of a batch of blackberry porter and I bottled part of it. This was my first attempt ever at homebrewing and I thought I screwed up bad since the final gravity never did drop below 1.021. It didn't even taste like beer to me when I tried samples after checking the gravity. I went ahead with it anyways and I force carbed the portion I put in a corny. On Monday I hooked it to the tap and finally took a taste. I was shocked when it actually tasted good. In fact, I think it tastes very good. The blackberry flavor is so slight you almost can't taste it so next time I would add a little more of that. I was so proud of it I immediately brought a sample to my wife's boss (he makes wine, mead and vodka for a living) to get a his opinion. He was actually impressed with it and thought it came out very good. I give all the credit to this forum, I learned more on here than I did in the books I read. Now, hopefully my IPA turns out good too........

 

[explosivebeer]

Congratulations on your brewing success. That sounds like a tasty beer.

As for your gravity issue, I'd think about emptying your bottles into your keg if you're concerned that your fermentation is not done, otherwise you may run the risk of having bottle bombs. I haven't had this experience yet, but it doesn't sound like fun!

 

[nyer]

I actually only bottled 8 16 oz. bottles. I used those little tablets and I used less than what it said to use just in case. I have to admit I'm worried about a bottle going off so I put them in a box inside an old cabinet in the basement.