The Bruce Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 Picked up a craft brew kit from Aldi and started my first brew. I followed the instructions on the video and had it siting for 24hrs. Nothing looked to be happening just a bit of condensation build up. After reading a few threads I decided to give it a stir. 12hrs later it looked like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naughty Corner Brewing Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 Looks just like mine. I grabbed it for a practice bucket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bruce Posted October 16, 2018 Author Share Posted October 16, 2018 So now 5 days after I first started the brew. This is how it's looking. I have no experience btw so I'm wondering is this looking fine, is that sludge looking stuff on the bottom supposed to be there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bruce Posted October 16, 2018 Author Share Posted October 16, 2018 2 minutes ago, NewBrews said: Looks just like mine. I grabbed it for a practice bucket. Makes me feel better that it is the same as someone elses Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristinaS1 Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 Yes, it is supposed to be there. It is perfectly normal. The sludge has yeast in it, both dead and live yeast that has fallen out of suspension and gone dormant. Later in your brewing career you can use a bit of that sludge to start your next batch, as a way of saving money. When you do that it is called slurry. Cheers, Christina. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bruce Posted October 16, 2018 Author Share Posted October 16, 2018 1 hour ago, ChristinaS1 said: Yes, it is supposed to be there. It is perfectly normal. The sludge has yeast in it, both dead and live yeast that has fallen out of suspension and gone dormant. Later in your brewing career you can use a bit of that sludge to start your next batch, as a way of saving money. When you do that it is called slurry. Cheers, Christina. Legend. I guess the next thing is how much of that slurry will/should still be there in a few more days when it's time to bottle ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristinaS1 Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 It does not go away, and there might even be a bit more. You have to be careful not to suck it up when you bottle, which may mean leaving a little bit of beer behind. Once you bottle you will find that a new layer forms at the bottom your bottles. This is why you don't drink home brew from bottles; pour carefully into a glass and leave the last little bit of beer and yeast in the bottle....There are people that make a point of rolling the bottle around to re-suspend the yeast, for health reasons. It is full of vitamins and other nutrients. Makes the beer cloudy though. Cheers, Christina. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bruce Posted October 16, 2018 Author Share Posted October 16, 2018 Cheers Christina really appreciate it hey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otto Von Blotto Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 Another reason to pour it into a glass is that it simply tastes better that way. I remember a batch I did a number of years ago; I took some to a party and had to drink them from the bottle. They tasted crap compared to in a glass, from the same batch. Otherwise though nothing much to add here, all looking pretty normal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Worts and all Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 47 minutes ago, Otto Von Blotto said: Another reason to pour it into a glass is that it simply tastes better that way. I remember a batch I did a number of years ago; I took some to a party and had to drink them from the bottle. They tasted crap compared to in a glass, from the same batch. Otherwise though nothing much to add here, all looking pretty normal. Ja, Herr Von B, beer from a glass is the only way. As a responsible parent I taught my children the joys of properly served beer. I am proud to say that now,as adults,they stand as beacons of good taste in a sea of stubbie sucking bogans. If you drink from a bottle,or even worse,a can, you may be ingesting beer, but you are not “having a beer”. There is a world of difference! The colour, the rising bubbles,the creamy head,the aroma- ahh! I hope you are able to put your unfortunate lapse with the home brew bottles behind you and move on. Life is a learning experience. Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otto Von Blotto Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 Yep that was about 6 years ago and I only did it because there were no glasses available, although I think I found one after the first couple so the rest tasted much better Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supernerdy Posted October 17, 2018 Share Posted October 17, 2018 Got the same kit from Al;di as well. Yours is foaming more than mine so I'd say your making better progress than I did Will tell in 2 weeks i guess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bruce Posted October 17, 2018 Author Share Posted October 17, 2018 2 hours ago, supernerdy said: Got the same kit from Al;di as well. Yours is foaming more than mine so I'd say your making better progress than I did Will tell in 2 weeks i guess I didn't stir it when I put it in the vat/keg/brewer so I gave it a stir based on what I had read on here. It was nearly exactly 24hrs later . I have no idea if amount of time makes a difference but maybe give that a go. Maybe some of the veterans on here could clarify for you mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supernerdy Posted October 17, 2018 Share Posted October 17, 2018 8 minutes ago, The Bruce said: I didn't stir it when I put it in the vat/keg/brewer so I gave it a stir based on what I had read on here. It was nearly exactly 24hrs later . I have no idea if amount of time makes a difference but maybe give that a go. Maybe some of the veterans on here could clarify for you mate Gave mine a stir bout 3 hours after starting the brew as well. Either way every thing else went to plan now just keen to begin my next brew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bruce Posted October 17, 2018 Author Share Posted October 17, 2018 Hopefully it will still turn out alright . From what I have read it should still work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamus O'Sean Posted October 17, 2018 Share Posted October 17, 2018 You folks are right. I reckon it will be fine. I have always stirred my craft brews when preparing because that is what I did with the regular sized Coopers cans. I did not realise (until recently) that the craft instructions actually said no stirring required . I favour stirring them during the preparation process before adding the yeast. During the fermentation process you can see the brew really roiling away,especially in the craft sized batches. All that activity is what enables the yeast to get at all the concentrate. Cheers and happy brewing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bruce Posted October 18, 2018 Author Share Posted October 18, 2018 Just done my first test (on day 7 oops) . I got 1007 . Smelling like flat beer . Getting excited to bottle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naughty Corner Brewing Posted October 18, 2018 Share Posted October 18, 2018 21 hours ago, Shamus O'Sean said: I did not realise (until recently) that the craft instructions actually said no stirring required It's funny. I read on one thing that you don't need to stir but the directions on the inside of the label said to stir. I don't suppose it matters really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bruce Posted October 18, 2018 Author Share Posted October 18, 2018 4 minutes ago, NewBrews said: It's funny. I read on one thing that you don't need to stir but the directions on the inside of the label said to stir. I don't suppose it matters really. Yeah I found the same thing. After the first 24hrs and nothing looked to be happening , that's when I decided to give it a stir. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supernerdy Posted October 18, 2018 Share Posted October 18, 2018 2 minutes ago, The Bruce said: Yeah I found the same thing. After the first 24hrs and nothing looked to be happening , that's when I decided to give it a stir. I stirred after a few hours after watching youtube. Noticed ROTM says no stir also but haven't decided if i will or not.. as long as it tastes like good beer after i am happy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamus O'Sean Posted October 18, 2018 Share Posted October 18, 2018 2 hours ago, The Bruce said: Just done my first test (on day 7 oops) . I got 1007 . Smelling like flat beer . Getting excited to bottle Who would have though we would get so excited over flat beer. I reckon we all did. There will be some apprehension after bottling. Some of the stories on the forum make you think carbonation is a problem. For most of us though it works out fine. Wait until you smell future flat IPA's and stouts, you will get really excited. Cheers Shamus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otto Von Blotto Posted October 18, 2018 Share Posted October 18, 2018 It would have started whether you stirred it or not. Also, the height of the foam on top means nothing, all brews are different in that regard but just because the foam layer is low doesn't mean it isn't fermenting as quickly or whatever. I have a stout in a second fermenter going at the moment, it was pitched with yeast on Tuesday and given the OG of 1.0855 it's looking at around 9% ABV. I expected it to volcano out of the fermenter by now but the foam is only a bit over an inch high. Plenty of condensation under the lid so it's working away nicely. I'll check SG next week and see how it's progressing. In any case, 1.007 sounds like it's finished, check it again in a couple of days, if it's the same then you can bottle it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bruce Posted October 19, 2018 Author Share Posted October 19, 2018 So I checked it again today and it's 1007 again. Smelling fruity and tasting like flat beer. The question is do I bottle today or leave it a little longer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otto Von Blotto Posted October 19, 2018 Share Posted October 19, 2018 You can do either, if you leave it it only need be another day or two. Any more time is pointless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bruce Posted October 19, 2018 Author Share Posted October 19, 2018 Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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