Whats going on with my brew???

[Miniac]

Just a quick question for you guys.
I have just done a simple brew, 1 can of Coopers Pale ale and 1kg of coopers brew enhancer No2. It has been in the fermenter for the last about 1 1/2 days and there is very little action at the are lock (But i can smell beer in the air so it must be working) and when i took a reading on the hydrometer this morning it is already down from 1036 OG to 1012. The temp started a little high (28c) but it has settled down to about 25 ish (The thermometer on the Fermenter has 24-26 displayed).
Is the yeast actually working?? With the weather being fairly hot of late i have had it rapped in a wet towel to keep temp down.
Baisicly i want to know if my brew is still good. The last on i did was a Coopers Real Ale with 700gm light amber malt and 1kg of brew enhancer no2 and the air lock went crazy.

Well hope this is enough info for you to give me an answer. I am only a beginner (this will be brew No 7) so i don't know how to discribe all the processes but oh well.

Cheers

Cam

[db]

temp is probly a little too high.. but it sounds as tho all is ok (gravity's falling etc). an OG that low you might not get a high alcohol content (probly just over 4%)

[Guest]

temp is probly a little too high.. but it sounds as tho all is ok (gravity's falling etc). an OG that low you might not get a high alcohol content (probly just over 4%)

Thanks for such a quick response.
I thought the final alcohol content would be a little low .I was just concerned about how quickly the SG droppped. Is there anyway in these early stages to bring the alcohol level up??? (Started late mon night and is only wed now) Is there anyway to make a simple brew (quick to make) that you can get a higher Alcohol content. The OG may have been a bit higher but not much.You whould think that if you followed the instruction in the can that you would at least get 4.6% ish. Most of my brews are about 5.2 - 5.8% but i am more concerned about taste than Alcohol levels, guess i will have to just bottle and see.

Cheers,
Cam

[Guest]

at higher temps your gravity will drop quicker.. lower temps & the slower it'll drop.
you could try racking it with some more fermentables.. i guess its up to you - if your fg comes down to 1006 you'll end up at around 4.2-4.5% - a decent quaffing level

db

[Miniac]

at higher temps your gravity will drop quicker.. lower temps & the slower it'll drop.
you could try racking it with some more fermentables.. i guess its up to you - if your fg comes down to 1006 you'll end up at around 4.2-4.5% - a decent quaffing level

db

I think i will just run with what i have got. Like i said as long as it still tastes good then 'it's all good'. Just means i will have to drink more

Cheers

Cam

[Oliver]

Hi Miniac,

Sounds like you might have an air leak from your fermenter.

Check out this post http://www.homebrewandbeer.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17 for more information.

Cheers,

Oliver

[BPJ]

Using enhancer packs often give a lower alcohol level. They are made up of various ingredients, dextrose, malt corn syrup etc. ecah have different levels of fermentables. so a 1 kg pack may only have 80-90% fermentables or even less as apposed to using 1 kg of straight dextose.

Your first batch you added 700 gm of malt. you could try various amounts of dextrose or malt or even use less water for a higher reading. at the end of the day are you after alcohol or taste? i have a great stout at the moment that is only 3.3%.

[Dogger Dan]

Just Drive on,

Use some common dog and all is right with the world

Dogger