Hydrometer readings

[kc10boom]

As stated in a previous post I use the Cooper's Home Brew Kits, after I get the beer down I'll venture out and start from scratch ....

I've made one ale batch, it wouldn't get below 1025 so I bottled it up and tested it last night..typical lager taste, doesn't go down super smooth..kind of has the Budweiser bite to it...then again I've drank ales overseas that would curl toes.

I started a wheat beer batch, before yeast at 22C it was 1046. The reading now after 9 days is 1024 at 26C. I use a beer belt so the temperature stays pretty constant this time of year. I'm wondering why it won't go to 1/4th the value like it is supposed too, I used spring water and not tap water. I didn't boil the wort because the directions say just to add two liters of boiling water to the mix. It could be just because everything is "premade" that I may not get the readings I'm expecting as opposed to doing it from scratch.

[Sent From My iPhone]

I didn't boil the wort because the directions say just to add two liters of boiling water to the mix.

Your best bet is to ignore the directions that come with those kits. Go to Morebeer.com, Northern Brewer or Williams Brewing and buy a real kit with fresher ingredients real directions.

[BadRock]

Few things, when using extracts it is hard to get a real low FG. Extracts have a predetermined amount of dextrins. Short of using external enzymes, that content is fixed. Some brands are worse than others.

Make sure your hydrometer is calibrated and you are compensating for temperature.

The other most common cause is weak yeast. Depending on the type of yeast you are using it may just be a low cell count, bad vial or smack pack, or improperly rehydrated yeast. What type of yeast are you using? Have you added more yeast to see if it will continue to ferment?

[kc10boom]

It is the pack that comes with the kits. I may be another pack of yeast and add it, but can adding another pack mess things up or does it have a point where no matter how much yeast you add, the chemical reaction is done and the yeast will just sink to the bottom.

[BadRock]

Did you rehydrate the yeast before pitching it?

[BadRock]

My suggestion would be to add more yeast. First you'll want to properly rehydrate the envelope of yeast in boiled and cooled water. See the link to John Palmer's book below for details. Chances are it will pick back up and ferment out to around 1.010 or maybe even lower.

http://www.howtobrew.com/section1/chapter6-5.html

[kc10boom]

This is a silly question, but can you use any kind of yeast (like in making bread), or does it have to be "brew yeast" like they sell on home brew websites. I guess I should learn about the science of yeast

[siwelwerd]

This is a silly question, but can you use any kind of yeast (like in making bread), or does it have to be "brew yeast" like they sell on home brew websites.

Depends on if you want to make a bread-tasting liquid or beer . Make sure you get brewers yeast, and if you're doing dry yeast get it from a respected brand like Danstar or Safale. In fact, as your brewing progresses you'll want specific strains of yeast for different beer styles, but something like Safale US-05 would be good for most beers as you're getting started.