First Time Poster and Brewer

[Egleone6]

I have started the brew process. I started last Sunday. A classic English Pale Ale. (Brewers Best) -Simple -

No real problems with the Brewing. Little problems cooling it down. I did get it there. I ended up using the sypon hose and running out the water and pouring in new water. Am looking in a Wort Cooler.

Pitched the Yeast, nothing happened so I poured that in the batch and before the yeast, I had a 1.042 on the Hydrometer. Is that good.

Now it is fermenting in my basement. Right now, the temp is between 75 and 77. The air is off and little warmer than normal.

I have two 6.5 gallon bucket, and 1 5 gallon Carboy. I am thinking about secondary ferm, but hear it is hard. What should I do??

How long should I wait. I was told 6 days are good to ferment. Then to the Carboy for 10 days. IS that sound right???


Please help, I am accepting all help and appreciate any.

Matt

[Brewcaster J]

Welcome Egleone! to here and homebrewing.

I'll give you a couple answers, then leave the rest to the wealth of knowledge you'll find here.

First, NOt sure what you meant with the pitch the yeast sentance. Basically, as long as it ended up in the carboy with your wort(soon to be beer) then cool.

Second, You're probably fermenting a little hot. Most Ales do very nicely in the 65 degree range, over 70 can produce some off flavors. HOwever, almost all of my first batches brewed at over 70, and they were very drinkable, but could have been so much better colder. So, if you can cool that sucker down, do it..if not...hope for the best brother.

Next ( i can't count past 2), 6 days, often less, is usually fine for fermentation in the primary. You can be sure by taking a second gravity reading and seeing if it has finished. Secondary is not difficult at all, you just need to be sanitary. Many folks in here will tell you secondary in one of those buckets you have will be just fine, just transfer it to there and wait about another 5-7 days. Personally, I would recomend another glass carboy for secondary, but that's me. Also remember, secondary is not necessary, it just helps clear things up (among a few other things as you get more advanced). You could just leave it where it is for about 14 days total, then bottle or keg that sweet nectar up.

So good luck, keep us posted. I'd love to here how that first brew turns out. You are now the proud owner of a fresh batch of homebrew (and also the recipient of my longest post ever...lucky you)

Enjoy,
Brewcaster Justin (I just work here)

ps. I think I'm supposed to say here that you should listen to our show Sunday for more help with your fermentation. We've got an expert coming in to talk to us. 5pm pacific (shameless self promotion now finished).

[Egleone6]

Starting OG was 1.045 Recommended OG is 1.042 - 1.048

6 Days later the Gravity is 1.009 with a recommended FG of 1.012 - 1.015

What should I do?

P.S. I tasted it, It tasted like beer, but a little bitter, I don't know. I am a fish out of water.

[Brewcaster J]

Sounds finished to me. 1.009 is great. Should be very dry. You got a strong fermentation probably because of the higher temps (70's). Bottle it up! (or keg it). Don't worry too much about the flavor yet. It will still change as it ages in the bottle while carbonating, and then again later when you cool it.

Are you bottleing or kegging?

Justin

[Egleone6]

Well I am bottling. It is a Potential Alcohol of 5.3 to 1.3 with a differnece of 4.0

I take it that is good.

I am looing to get a kegging system going with a fridge.

How long do I need to wait before syphoning again. To get rid of more sediment.

Basically, how long does it take to settle all of the sediment

Matt

Anyone with more info, please help.