Friday, September 14, 2007

Final Gravities

Well I've had no activity for a few days in each batch I've been brewing. The original gravities:

German Oktoberfest - Original Gravity measurement of 1.052

American Lager - Original Gravity measurement of 1.040

final specific gravity:

German Oktoberfest - final gravity measurement of 1.013 (ABV 5.28)

American Lager - final Gravity measurement of 1.012 (ABV 3.8)

...and yes I tasted them both

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Fermentation stopped?

Well last night I checked and both batches were putting along slowly. This morning I checked and the Oktoberfest had a pop every 10 seconds or so but the American Lager was inactive. I'll check specific gravity tonight. If the AL is still up there I may repitch just in case.

Monday, September 10, 2007

Two batches fermenting quite well

Both batches are fermenting at at least 1 bubble per second. The thermometer I have on the fermentation buckets indicates it's right around 69-71 (it's one of those flexible thermometers that you can stick on things). It's a little warm down there but not too bad.

I did put vodka in one of the air-locks. This was a tip on one of the sets of directions. I've never had any problem with bacteria or build-up in the air-lock but it can't hurt.

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Brewing two batches

Yesterday after doing some school clothes shopping (yes it's two weeks after the kids started school - it's when all the sales are on:) ) I had my short list of supplies to get going on some homebrewing. It has been a couple years since I brewed my last batch and my co-worker got me motivated to brew some stuff.


I had 3 kits in the basement just waiting to be brewed. An American Lager from http://www.homebrewery.com/ , an American Blond and Bitter Red from BrewCity Supplies - http://www.brewcitysupplies.com/ which is actually a local store to me.


A week or so ago my co-worker and I stopped in at The Purple Foot 3167 S 92nd StMilwaukee, WI 53227Phone: (414) 327-2130 (no website that I could find) and picked up a kit of German Oktoberfest http://www.ldcarlson.com/ .


So now I had 4 kits and almost enough equipment to do two batches. I picked the American Lager and the German Oktoberfest.


German Oktoberfest - Original Gravity measurement of 1.052

American Lager - Original Gravity measurement of 1.040


We'll see how this turns out but man - does it smell great in my house:).