braziliain
Small Batch Brewer
I started my first ever brew two weeks ago today. It's a 1 tin Wilko Cerveza and knowing no better, I followed their instructions as best I could.
OG was 1.038 exactly as the instructions. Target FG is 1.008.
There were no bubbles in my air lock, at any time, but I resisted the urge to peek and after 7 days took a sample and a hydrometer reading of 1.020. On day 9 I took another at 1.020.
I did some reading on this forum and then decided to agitate the fermenter a little. This led to some bulging of the lid and a few bubbles in the air lock. I left it alone and then on day 13 I took another reading of 1.018. On day 14 another at 1.018.
Things I think I did well:
I have sanitised everything that has come in to contact using a Young's steriliser which has been left to work for 10mins.
I cooled to wort to 23C before pitching the yeast.
I have left the fermenter at 19C for 14 days.
Things I think I may have done wrong:
I didn't make any attempt to aerate the wort before pitching the yeast, although I topped up the fermenter from the tap so this may have aerated it some.
I left the beer kit (a present) for two years before using it. So the yeast could be past its best
The samples I have taken (from the spigot at the bottom of the fermenter) have tasted ok, just weak.
Anyone with more experience have any advice? Is it time to chuck it and try again with a fresh kit/some learning?
Thanks,
OG was 1.038 exactly as the instructions. Target FG is 1.008.
There were no bubbles in my air lock, at any time, but I resisted the urge to peek and after 7 days took a sample and a hydrometer reading of 1.020. On day 9 I took another at 1.020.
I did some reading on this forum and then decided to agitate the fermenter a little. This led to some bulging of the lid and a few bubbles in the air lock. I left it alone and then on day 13 I took another reading of 1.018. On day 14 another at 1.018.
Things I think I did well:
I have sanitised everything that has come in to contact using a Young's steriliser which has been left to work for 10mins.
I cooled to wort to 23C before pitching the yeast.
I have left the fermenter at 19C for 14 days.
Things I think I may have done wrong:
I didn't make any attempt to aerate the wort before pitching the yeast, although I topped up the fermenter from the tap so this may have aerated it some.
I left the beer kit (a present) for two years before using it. So the yeast could be past its best
The samples I have taken (from the spigot at the bottom of the fermenter) have tasted ok, just weak.
Anyone with more experience have any advice? Is it time to chuck it and try again with a fresh kit/some learning?
Thanks,