Hi, I'm new to all grain brewing. Have made an elderflower beer which has been sat in the primary for 5 days at a constant 20 degree temp. Most activity appeared to be over after 3 days. Used SO-4 yeast. OG was 1060 and Gravity reading has been 1014 past 2 days. Does this seem a realistic FG? My plan was to either transfer to a secondary when primary finished and add some elderflower to dry hop for a few days (sanitising elderflower with boiling water before adding) or should I just do this in primary? I've also read mixed reviews re using elderflower in this way? Any advice re my gravity readings and use of elderflower would be much appreciated. Cheers. Wishy
Welcome to the BA site, Wishy. Your question will get a better audience in the Homebrewing forum, so I will ask a mod to move it there. Here is a link to a search that I did in that forum that might help you: https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/search/118361762/?q=Elderberry&o=date&c[node]=8 Oops, that search was with elderberry. Here's the right one: https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/search/118361776/?q=Elderflower&o=date&c[node]=8
OG seems about right. So far as using the elderflower, I'd just make a tea (or tisane or whatever you want to call it), strain, and add to taste at packaging. Lots of folks do this with Hibiscus (jamaica) here in the US. (Assuming you're from outside the US and using metric for the temperature reading).
I made an Elderflower/Meyer Lemon Wild Saison last year. I was hoping to achieve that Cantillon Mamouche aroma (almost pear/ lychee). I "dry hopped" with the dried elderflower and meyer lemon zest after fermentation stopped. I tasted over a couple of weeks and then added more elderflower since I wasn't picking up much. After being in the bottle for over a year it still has WAY too much elderflower aroma and flavor. It came off super medicinal/botanical household cleaner. In hindsight, I should've left it and kept it subtle. I've found using herbs, whether fresh or dried, it's always better to go super light, because carbonation will typically enhance its characteristics. Also, I read using fresh elderflower is a COMPLETELY different characteristic than dried. Live and learn.
Hi thanks for the reply, interesting to know. I probably shouldn't have experimented with the elderflower as I'm relatively new to all grain brewing and should've kept it simple for my first brews but live and learn and will see how it comes out. Thanks again.
Hi, Hi, thanks for that. Think I'll maybe try that if am doing it again with elderflower or an elderflower syrup. Yeah from Scotland, sorry had said in degrees c. Thanks again for the reply.
