New Brewer Q

[ptygmit]

Hi all,

Im new at this, and started my second brew on Thursday just gone. It is a Tooheys draught kit, and following the advice from my local shop, i used a brewcraft brewblend #1 (75% dex, 25% maltodex), and 250gms extra dried maltodex. I thought it was a little wierd to have the additional 250gms maltodex from what i have read on the net... but as a newie i didn't question it and chucked it in. OG was 148.

As of today activity has stopped in the water seal, and im thinking that seems a bit quick? My first brew took a week and a half at similar temps. Im wondering if it is because theres only 750gms of fermentable sugar? My question is, do i need to add more dex to bring it up to the kilo of sugar it recommends on the brew kit tin? Or will it taste ok if i bottle it as soon as i get 2 consecutive SG readings with the 750gs of dex?

Cheers!

Pete

[timmy]

It could have finished in the time, but you're right about the consecutive SG readings. I've had brews that finish in 3-4 days so nothing to be worried about unless you're fermenting at high temps in which case you might get some off flavours.

Cheers,

Tim

btw - Some HBS guys don't know what they're on about.....

[Trough Lolly]

Your thinking is sound Pete....trust your albeit limited experience and besides, a few extra days in primary will be much more beneficial than putting it in bottles before it's ready.

Cheers and welcome to the forum.

TL

[ptygmit]

Great, thanks for the replies.

Now its just a case of sourcing the last 10 empty bottles or so... from the full ones i have in the fridge

Pete

[KEG]

need help?

[Kevnlis]

need help?

That's KEG, always willing to help a fellow brewer empty his bottles

[Old Gil]

G'day Ptygmit, there's nothing wrong with adding extra Dry malt to your Brew, But One ting to keep in mind that the more malt you add the sweeter it will be and the better the head will be. Personally I use about 1kg or more sometimes with only about 200 to 500g af Dextrose, depending on how much LDME I'm using. Hops are the perfect way to ballance things out, and very easy. Trust me if you take a step towards hops you wont regret it. The only trouble you might have is finding the type of hop you like in the ever expanding range, although different hops are meant for different styles It's a matter of what you like really. Congrats on taking the first steps into a world of no shithouse beers. Then again my first couple of brews were really crap, Just keep it up and when you hit the jackpot you'll be tellin' all your mates that youv'e mastered the art