First Brew, First Mistake

[Liverpoollad]

Hi lads,

Purchased a beginner kit today and happy with what I have got. Along with it came festivals razorback ipa.

Did everything methodically up until adding the water. Read top up to 23 litres as now add 23 litres. Spotted my mistake after putting in 20L. It's past the measurements on the fermenter mixer and I estimate at 27 litres in total. Question is do I cut my losses and buy another kit? Will it affect the taste and abv significantly?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Dan

 

[ManseMasher]

http://www.jimsbeerkit.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=21616

You're not the first mate, and every day is a school day! Don't bin it, see how it goes would be my advice!

 

[Covrich]

All you done is water is down a little.. You still have beer!! keep it and see how it goes.

My first brew I made loads of mistakes but It was a great learning curve

 

[HarrowBrewer]

http://www.jimsbeerkit.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=21616

You're not the first mate, and every day is a school day! Don't bin it, see how it goes would be my advice!

Very true! I'm sure it'll be fine. A few extra litres might lower the abv a bit but as far as I can tell from the kit reviews on here its quite a strong brew anyway, so you'll certainly have something very drinkable whatever happens, and from my recent experience of making a similarly heavy hopped IPA kit (the Young's American IPA), it has a really great flavour to it, so enjoy it and remember to add less water next time!

 

[Liverpoollad]

Thanks appreciate it.

Will give it a try then and see it as a lesson learnt but absolutely gutted haha!

Just tested the gravity says 1.040.

See how it is in 5 days!

Thanks!

 

[ManseMasher]

If you get it down to 1.010 you're still going to have a beer around 4%, give or take!

 

[Liverpoollad]

View attachment ImageUploadedByTapatalk1431368911.335707.jpgView attachment ImageUploadedByTapatalk1431368925.741628.jpgView attachment ImageUploadedByTapatalk1431368937.146649.jpg

Hi guys

Just an update been brewing since Wednesday evening and now it's Monday night. Reckon this is looking on course? First brew not a clue what it's supposed to look like.

Thanks

 

[matt666]

That's looking good to me. One tip though, try not to open the lid and check on it too often. Every time you expose it to air or stick things in it you risk infection. Resist temptation, check it after 10 or 11 days, if its the same reading after 14 you're ready to keg.

 

[Liverpoollad]

Thanks Matt, first time I've opened it as the instructions said 5 days then add the hop pellets. Then leave for another five days. Think it's ready to do that?

Gravity once finished fermenting is meant to be at 1.005.

 

[Racinsnake]

If your pic shows gravity as of today it may be a little early for hop addition.

Rob.

 

[Liverpoollad]

It is mate. Give it a day or two?

 

[Racinsnake]

Yup, general rule is hops in for 5 days so your brew wants to be pretty much at FG. Pitch them too early/long and you can get grassy flavours, I like a hoppy ale but wouldn't go much more than 7 days.
No harm in leaving them until your brews hit FG then pitching, while yeast drops out.

 

[H0PM0NSTER]

^ Good advice. The Razorback instructions are far too optimistic about how quickly you should add the hops. When brewed this kit it took 3 weeks to reach FG. Luckily I'd read a few reviews from other brewers and was expecting it to take longer than the instructions and waited until it was very close to FG before adding the hops.

Don't worry about the extra water - I did exactly the same with my first brew and it still turned out to be one of my favourites (a Wilko Golden Ale kit with Citra hops). I enjoyed it so much I've brewed it again since.

The Razorback has a very strong citrus hop flavour - to the extent that others have suggested only adding half the dry hops to tone it down. I wouldn't do that, but your extra volume will help smooth out the flavour.

 

[Liverpoollad]

Looking like it's fine, hops added Wednesday night so been steady for 5 days. Will barrel and bottle it today. Thanks for the help guys it's appreciated! View attachment ImageUploadedByTapatalk1431955739.848648.jpgView attachment ImageUploadedByTapatalk1431955739.848648.jpg

 

[Malkin71]

You are fine, it's just a lighter abv than you thought. If it's 4% then maybe now it's 3.2-3.5. Not a big deal, definitely drinkable.

My last beer I did well under, strong beer lol

 

[Liverpoollad]

Just a quick question. Looking to barrel it and have 5 sling tops as well to fill. It is still bubbling but quite sporadically. Been fermenting for 12 days. Still ok to bottle? Going away with work tomorrow and not back until Friday how long can I leave it in the fermenter for? Getting itchy fingers and want it barrelled.

Thanks

 

[clibit]

I'd leave it til you get back. Chill. :wink:

 

[Liverpoollad]

Anyone else's pressure barrel do this? Been in there since Friday night and seen it like this a few hours ago.....

View attachment ImageUploadedByTapatalk1432468997.444756.jpgView attachment ImageUploadedByTapatalk1432468997.444756.jpgView attachment ImageUploadedByTapatalk1432468997.444756.jpg

 

[Racinsnake]

Can't make it out? Is it convex at the base.

 

[Liverpoollad]

The bottom of the barrel normally concave has burst out. No leakage etc but didn't expect that much pressure within two days....