I did my first home brew using a true brew Oktoberfest extract kit. Every thing with the brew went fine as far as I can tell, but that night I had to leave and go to Belgium for three days. When I came home I could tell something happen there was residue around the top of the fermenter and a little in the air lock. But I don't know how long the fermentation lasted or how vigorous it was. How can I tell if I got a full fermentation? I order some yeast just in case and I'm hoping I get it this week in the mail. But if not how long can I leave it in the fermenter waiting on mor yeast. The instructions say leave it for 7 days then bottle it. Should I wait till then to take a hydrometer reading or can I take one now. if I take a sample from the bottling spigot is that ok at this stage? And I have been wondering how to keep the spigot sanatary while its just sitting and what's the best way to sanitize it before bottling. Also I currently live in Germany and I haven't been able to fine a home brewing store here so I have to order everything of the Internet. If anyone has any info about home brewing in Germany that would help a lot.
Ok, so my OG was 1.40 it's now 1.26 that means I need to repitch right? And also I don't have more yeast on hand at this moment I'm waiting for it to show in the mail. How long can it stay in the fermenter waiting for more yeast. And how much should I repitch?
Give it some time. The drop in gravity means the yeat is still working. Take a gravity reading every couple of days. If the gravity does not go down after a couple of days you may want to consider repitching but im pretty sure the yeast is still at work. 7 days is way too short to leave on the yeast. The yeast need time to clean up any byproducts left over from fermentation. I have never had a beer finish out in three days. The minimum ammount of time for any beer I brew is two weeks. The kit probably says 7 days so they do not discourage anyone from buying the product. Always listen to your hydrometer.
Chances are you just missed the active fermentation and the beer is still fermenting. Give it another two weeks. Then take a gravity reading, then take another in 3 days. Repeat as necessary until the readings are the same. Ignore the 7 days bottling instruction. You'll want to give your beer at least 4 weeks total in the bucket and/or better bottle. Even longer than 4 weeks is typical. Is your beer in the bottling bucket now? If so - and you have another bucket - I'd transfer it to that, then take apart your spigot, and sanitize it and the bottling bucket thoroughly. Leave it in the other fermenter until you're ready to bottle. I would advise against taking a sample directly from the spigot. To sanitize, use some starsan or iodophor. I would order either of those now if you don't have anything. Re: your new post. How long ago did you pitch? Take another reading in a few days and see where you're at.
