First time guidance please.....

[rnormans84]

Hi everyone, am brand new to this, have been desperate to try out a beer kit since watching people do it on youtube.
I decided to kick off with a St. Peter's Golden Ale kit, ( the commercial is one of my all time favourite bottled ales, so far)

I made the kit up 3 days ago, and ended with a temp of around 22-24 celcius, a few degrees warmer than the kit recommends. I put it in a dark cupboard under the stairs (a hi-lo thermometer in the cupboard has been reading 19.5 to 21 degrees for the past week) , and about 16 hours later, it was bubbling away ferociously.

I was concerned that the FV thermometer was still showing 22-24, so I cooled it down yesterday, by giving it a few hours wrapped in a wet towel, leaving me with an eventual reading of 20 - 22, which I was a little happier with.
My airlock has now calmed down a lot, leading me to believe that fermentation may be coming to an end? However, this may just be impatience and naivety on my part.

I'm going to bottle condition this one, and would love to know if anyone has experience with this kit, and how long it was in primary before bottling.
I haven't taken a gravity reading yet, as I'm not sure if it's too early. My OG was 1.040.

Has anyone got any ideas if I should leave it longer, or think about bottling it soon? I will report back when I have taken a hydrometer reading.

Apologies if all of this is common sense, I think I may be flapping a bit as it's my first attempt, and one that I am determined to get right!!

[dericboy1]

Just drinking one now that I bottled on 19th may and what a great pint. The last one I made didn't last that long so can confirm that the longer it's left the better.

[rnormans84]

That makes me even more impatient!!
I just took a hydrometer reading, which is currently 1.014 - the kit instructions say that anything under 1.014 for more than 2 days is ready for bottling.

Will try again tomorrow, and hope it drops a little more, but thankfully, no sticking on 1.020 for me!
Had a little sample from the hydrometer tube - tastes great, if a little bitter - and I have definitely had worse beer from the pub before now!

Wondering if I should leave for another week, regardless of future readings, to clear up a little before bottling?

[Alton_Bee]

Personally I would leave it for at least 10 days in the fermenter.

[simco999]

Personally I would leave it for at least 10 days in the fermenter.

Good advice - 3 days is too short. At 10 days it should be finished - be aware some people leave it for a month. Not me though - 14 days max.

[rnormans84]

Thanks all, will leave for 10 days minimum,will give me a chance to organise myself a little more.

Much appreciated. Hopefully can report back on some good ale within the month.