Brew UK Forum | Beer Kits
Newbie in need of reassurance - Flat Wherry
Hi, I am new to the world of home brew, but quite excited to taste the first batch.
Visited Greg yesterday and bought a Microbrewery and Norfolk Werry kit.
I am in need of some reassurance please...
Put the kids to bed, left the wife to the telly and took over the kitchen. Read the instructions a few times then cracked on... Really easy to do.
-Sterilised FV and other bits for 20 mins in 10 litres of warm water with 4 teaspoons of Youngs Steriliser & Cleaner, then rinsed for 5 minutes.
Warmed the 2x tins, placed the contents into the Fermentation vessel and added 6 pints of boiling water. Stired with the sterilised spoon until all syrup was dissolved. Toped up to 23 litres, which gave it quite a head!
‘Pitched’ the yeast... well I sprinkled it over the top... I did not stir as per the chat with Greg.
Tested the Original Gravity = 1036.
Lid on, water into the air lock, into the lid with grommet.
Set it into the Utility room (air temp 23 degrees at the level of the FV) on 2x4 planks to get it off the cold tiled/concrete floor. I did not put it into the airing cupboard as it was over 27 degrees. Figured that it was too hot and might kill the yeast.
Went to bed happy that it was a good job done.
Checked today (14 hours old), there is no head forming or air bubbles coming through the airlock.
Microbrewery instructions state to store at 24-25 degrees for first 24 hours to allow the fermentation to ‘kick in’, but Werry instructions state warm place 18-20 degrees. Temperature gauge on the side of the FV says 18 or 20 (quite hard to read).
Should I worry at the moment, or just sit on my hands and have patience?
Are there some tests that I should make to my precious brew?
Many thanks for any help from a nervous newbie.
Fermenting: Woodforde's Norfolk Wherry
Drinking: shop bought stuff
Responses
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Hi,
First of all welcome to the forum... there is a wealth of knowledge on here. From beginners like myself to experts who've got quite a few brews under their belts already.
However, from what i have read of your post my only advice is don't panic. If you have pitched the yeast within the required temperatures then you've done nothing wrong. It can take up to 48hrs for the yeast to really get going.
You have followed Gregs advice so green for go i'd say.
Having not made the Wherry kit up myself i don't know what yeast is in there?
But i'd leave it for another 24hrs at least and see then.
Neil
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Thanks Neil, working from home can sometimes be a little too convenient. It is easy to check every 2 hours! I think that I am a tad impatient and need to see results.
Thanks for the advice, I will sit on my hands and let it do its thing. Then see
Fermenting: Woodforde's Norfolk Wherry
Drinking: shop bought stuff
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Hi Dorflson I have just keged a werry this afternoon Slow start and it went for 14 days in the FV. I work from home too It can be fun cant it
Peter
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
Hi there matey!
You have done what ya should have done and now you are doing what all of us do.....watch it constantly! I still do it and Ive been brewing for about 2-3 years now. Seriously I cant help it! Whan I first started I checked because I was paranoid that it wouldnt magically turn my water into beer and nowerdays I cant help but look at it at every stage as its uber-interesting!
Unfortunatly you have to be patient and like the others have said it can take a while for the yeast to start munching, but rest assured they will!
If after 48 hours you dont find a creamy head then move it somewhere warmer to give the yeast a head start, but to be honest I reckon it will happen pretty soon, ah and 23c room temp is perfect.
Plannin'-
Loads a beer after an upgrade!
nathbrew@gmail.com
Posted 1 year ago by Member
cheers guys.
I will certainly have to find a seat that can make sitting on my hands more comfortable.
Just wrapped up the FV in a bin bag to keep out the light (it is under a window).
I pushed the FV lid downwards, and the bubble came through I guess there was a bit of room for expansion. Therefore there must be something happening.
Started to think about the Turbo Cider - apparently it can make the wife happy (cannot stand cider myself anymore - too much in one go when younger!) if it keep the wife happy then it is fine by me. I just need a bit more kit. Shopping time again I think.
I will let you know about the first batch goes.
Fermenting: Woodforde's Norfolk Wherry
Drinking: shop bought stuff
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Hey Dorflson, welcome to the forum.
Don't worry. It'll be fine mate.
It's only been a day.
The yeast like to work on their own time scale, and you can't do much about it
Best to leave it at the recommend temperature (18-20*C) and come back in a week.
Welcome to the world of home brewing.
First lesson: patience
Posted 1 year ago by Member
As they say patience is a virtue...
I made a brew on Sunday and every day since then i've checked the beer. It's bubbling away nicely too. Even after 4 brews under my belt i still get impatient.
Glad all seems to be working well now...
Posted 1 year ago by Member
I'm forever blowing bubbles! Pretty bubbles in the FV... er sounds better at Upton Park!
Well, I walked into the Utility room this morning and was rewarded by blerWP. I was not even going to in check.
Why does something so simple casuse so much angst. blerWP made me really pleased.
This weekend I will start the wine kit off. I can see how people get hooked on home brewing...
Thanks for the support.
Fermenting: Woodforde's Norfolk Wherry
Drinking: shop bought stuff
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Glad she's bubblin' away, Dorflson.
Yeah, I started this as a hobby to coincide with the birth of my daughter, since I figured I'd be indoors a lot more nights and weekends due to newfound fatherhood. That was a year and a half ago and what began as a hobby has become an obsession. Over 30 brews later and I'm enjoying it more and more; tweaking, experimenting - the endless possibilities, etc. This forum has been an invaluable source of help along the way.
Just out of interest, what type of airlock do people here use? I use some old 2 part airlocks from my winemaking days similar to:-
[2-part airlock]
When my beer's fermenting in the bucket it never bubbles through the airlock, though the bucket lid does bulge outward for a few days. I put that down to the lid not being completely airtight. I also have one of these:-
[1-part airlock]
but without the red cap, left over from my winemaking days. Is this what most people use?
Cheers,
-Barry
Fermenting: Marston's Pedigree
Conditioning (Bottles): Warsteiner Lager Clone
Drinking (King Keg): Fullers London Pride
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
Both are fine. the 2 part does not bubble it simply lifts 1 part tuntil the gas is released and goes back down again. I use a 1 part for my youngs wideneck fermenter (I find they get a way better seal than a bucket) and then I have one of these - http://www.brewuk.co.uk/store/ag-equipment/brupak-30-fermenter.html which comes with a large 2 part. Both serve their purpose velly well, welly vell indeed.
Plannin'-
Loads a beer after an upgrade!
nathbrew@gmail.com
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Hi Bazza,
I am using a 1 part airlock this time. When I do the wine I will use the 2 part. This is kind of mixed up as the 2 part was part of the kit.
My guess is that the air lock is just to keep the nasties out and let out the CO2 rather than explode. I am hoping that the fermentation process will happen no matter how I let the CO2 out, and sounds more hygenic than a 'clean towel'.
Fermenting: Woodforde's Norfolk Wherry
Drinking: shop bought stuff
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Cheers, lads. Might try the 1 part airlock next time. No big concern, just curious. When I used to do smaller batches in 1 gallon demijohns it was nice to hear the reassuring 'blop' from behind the wardrobe door as I slept the sleep of self-satisfaction - hang on, that sounds very wrong.
Yeah, never went for that 'clean towel' thing myself. But it does remind me of one of my favourite lines from my favourite film, The Marks Brothers-'Duck Soup':
'Go, and never darken my towels again!' - Groucho as Rufus T. Firefly.
-Barry
Fermenting: Marston's Pedigree
Conditioning (Bottles): Warsteiner Lager Clone
Drinking (King Keg): Fullers London Pride
Posted 1 year ago by Admin
Hi Dorflson, sorry missed these post yesterday as was really busy. Glad its all going okay now.
Keep clean and you can't go too wrong with a kit. You'd better start thinking about your next brew though as I'm sure your going to love this one.
Reply
You must log in to post.