Brewing my First batch - Assistance required

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by Shimmin, Sep 15, 2015.

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  1. Shimmin

    Shimmin Initiate (0) Sep 15, 2015

    Hello, So recently my local store decided to start stocking home brew equipment so I decided to buy one, I have tried brewing a bitter for my first attempt : Coopers English ale.

    So far Im not sure what to expect, My brew bubbled furiously for the first day and a half, now there seems to be no signs of life at all and the foam that sat above the mix has dispersed. (note I used 500g of brewing sugar)
     
    #1 Shimmin, Sep 15, 2015
  2. algebeeric_topology

    algebeeric_topology Pooh-Bah (2,052) Dec 30, 2014 Florida
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Did you check OG and have you read the gravity now, remembering to sanitize all your equipment as you do it?
     
    #2 algebeeric_topology, Sep 16, 2015
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  3. Shimmin

    Shimmin Initiate (0) Sep 15, 2015

    Yes I ensured my equipment was sanitzed, I failed to Check the original gravity.
    I began brewing Saturday evening. by monday morning activity had ceased
     
    #3 Shimmin, Sep 16, 2015
  4. chrisjws

    chrisjws Grand Pooh-Bah (3,302) Dec 3, 2014 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    It doesn't have to bubble furiously to still be working. Check the gravity again, compare it to what you're expecting. It might be done already, especially if your target ABV isn't overly high.
     
    #4 chrisjws, Sep 16, 2015
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  5. algebeeric_topology

    algebeeric_topology Pooh-Bah (2,052) Dec 30, 2014 Florida
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    When I started brewing, it was mostly helping a former roommate and he never bothered to check OG figuring there's nothing he's going to do about it once he's cooled the wort and as he's drinking it, he'll get a feel for how boozy the beer is. That's all true, but it can make troubleshooting a bit more tedious if there are issues.

    Certainly though, checking gravity now and seeing where you're at relative to the recipe is the next best thing!
     
    #5 algebeeric_topology, Sep 16, 2015
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  6. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Assuming the wort/beer temp is in the mid 60s or higher, just leave it alone for another week, then check gravity. Wait 2-3 days after that and check it again. If it hasn't changed and is in the neighborhood of the expected final gravity, it's done attenuating. At that point, if there are no off-flavors, bottle it. Or leave it another week on the yeast. It will be fine either way.
     
    #6 VikeMan, Sep 16, 2015
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  7. corbmoster

    corbmoster Pundit (848) Dec 15, 2014 Texas
    Trader

    Just because it is not bubbling does not mean it stopped fermenting. I'm going to guarantee it is still fermenting. As Vikeman said, leave it alone for another week at the least. Check gravity, and check again in 2-3 days.
     
    #7 corbmoster, Sep 16, 2015
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  8. JohnSnowNW

    JohnSnowNW Initiate (0) Feb 6, 2013 Minnesota

    "Assistance Required" would be a good band name.
     
    #8 JohnSnowNW, Sep 16, 2015
  9. Shimmin

    Shimmin Initiate (0) Sep 15, 2015

    cheers for the help
     
    #9 Shimmin, Sep 16, 2015
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