I made my very first batch of porter beer about three weeks ago and it turned out ok even if I messed up a bit. But this time I fooled around with a Coopers Stout kit by doing a seven and 5 with brew sugar and extra dark DME. The kit seemed somewhat vague as to when I can bottle it. I am kinda thirsty but what is the quickest time I can set about drinking a brew. This brew I did went nuts the first few days with regards to fermentation. I am aware that I should be more patient but that will come with time as and when I can afford to make multiple batches per month. Thanks for any input.
Quickest brew time?
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I've seen that written many times and I understand the reasoning, but one thing puzzles me.....
If you get the same hydrometer reading 3 days in a row, how does that prove it's finished rather then stuck?
Cwrw666
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Because it will be in the ball-park of what you expect. Usually around 1010 give or take a few points. Stuck fermentations usually occur round about 1020.
It's worth bearing in mind that a particularly strong brew might well finish fermenting at a higher gravity than normal though.
It's worth bearing in mind that a particularly strong brew might well finish fermenting at a higher gravity than normal though.
Thanks and very interesting. So just a further question then, why do some kits only recommend 10 days FV and 5 days drink time. Again I realise it is best left alone to gain that extra bit. Is that because of dry hopping or some other procedure with extra brews?
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Several suggestions here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Homebrewing/comments/32cdxc/whats_your_quickest_grain_to_glass_recipe/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Homebrewing/comments/32cdxc/whats_your_quickest_grain_to_glass_recipe/
Well, 8 days in, the Coopers stout i have made is pretty much ready. The 7 and 5 equation that I got from watching Craigtube and his advice about making beer has worked a dream on this stout. I just had a sneaky quart and boy I am glad I spent that extra 9 quid on that dark malt extract + sugar. If it gets this good, I am already hooked after my second brew 
Looking forward to being drunk in a few days after the bottling process xD
Looking forward to being drunk in a few days after the bottling process xD
Hi the recommendations by the makers of brew kits are very optimistic and used as a selling point so that people think they can be drinking the beer in 14 daysish. Regards your Stout it is probably the most forgiving of kits that can be drunk early so you are lucky but as always really what you need to do is get a stock of a few brews on so that you always have something to drink and then you can leave the newer ones to condition properly and improve. You will find the benefit of this when you taste them and how much better than early drunk kits also some beer types can certainly not be drunk early like stout and this would put you off brewing them again thinking they are poor when most times it is just conditioning times
Mavroz
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As many others have said and will say, the most important factor of home brewing is Time! Don't rush the fermenting, don't rush the conditioning. Leave well alone for weeks, if not months.
Some say Ipa or Aipa needs to be drunk "fresh" before hop flavour fades but everything I have had for around 8 months is still full of flavour, if not better flavour, certainly depth wise.
Everyone has their own ways, tastes and theories. We are all individual brewers and different opinions and methods will always produce good beers, ales, ciders and wines.
Some say Ipa or Aipa needs to be drunk "fresh" before hop flavour fades but everything I have had for around 8 months is still full of flavour, if not better flavour, certainly depth wise.
Everyone has their own ways, tastes and theories. We are all individual brewers and different opinions and methods will always produce good beers, ales, ciders and wines.
Thanks for the advice guys. I am going to buy another FV and a keg this week and then start brewing something like 160 pints a month. Mainly sticking to stout and porter as they are my favourite drink and due to the fact that the price in the pub for one of those is just plain silly. Once I am stocked up then I'll move on the bitters. For now, it's much fun to me as I love real ale but I won't mess much with the kits until I have at least tasted the ones I can readily buy from ebay. Nearest homebrew store is miles from me. Solid advice tho, cheers!
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At 160 pints a month, it won't take long before you see all-grain brewing smile at you.
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I brew much less than that but have gone from my first kit to all grain in less than 6 months - once you get hooked then it just goes from there...
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Tell me about it...
Ummm, problem for me is space, I only live in a pensioners flat even though I am 50 years young
Having a mash tun and knowing where to put it will be a problem. I may do extract partial grain brewing though. That appeals. I need a bigger place to live, but I am not moving I'll be looking up some hops in the future. The idea of blueberry, vanilla, blackberry stout appeals to me though xD
An Ankoù
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I lived in a flat for a couple of years and got very little brewing done. First problem is getting rid of all the steam if you can't boil outside. Second is elbow room. I used to put boards over the bath for racking and bottling. The bath and shower head made a great washing area, too. Still very, very cramped for style. I'd start looking for a mate with a bigger place, where you can share the joys of brewing round at his place.
Alternatively, two or two and a half-gallon batches done on the cooker should be feasible in your kitchen.
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Cooking it really is not a problem. I could do that all day long if need be. Storage on the other hand :/ If after a year I can get a niche whereby I am getting a positive run and need a place to store, I might buy a shed, purely to racking purposes so it can sit for long periods before I keg or bottle =)
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Ummm, problem for me is space, I only live in a pensioners flat even though I am 50 years young
If you have a cubic yard to store hardware in, that could be enough for a 30 pint setup.
Cwrw666
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The answer is probably BIAB as the only extra equipment you need is a 30L boiler. If your cooker has an extractor fan on it that would probably deal with all the steam if you brew on top of your cooker. Or if smaller brews are ok then all you need is a stockpot and use the cooker for heating it.Ummm, problem for me is space, I only live in a pensioners flat even though I am 50 years young
160 pints a month and it would be St Peter smiling at me, saying "Step this way sir, through the gates and turn right"!
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