can it really be done

[mat]

I brewed my first kit on wensday now a little over 2 days the gravity is 1.014 the instructions say it should go down to 1.009 + - 2 points and it should take 4-6 days. the test sample was 21c i have cheked my hydrometer in 20c water and its reading 1.000. could it really have fermented this fast the kit was milestone crusader with gervin english ale yeast supplied anyone done this kit before with the same results. just to note had a taste and it tastes of beer albiet flat very excited.

[adm]

Yep. It certainly can go that fast.

Don't be in a hurry though - I'd leave it another week before you test it again! (I know - it's a bit like being a kid wiating for Christmas, but patience really does pay off in this game!)

[dedken]

Don't get too excited yet....7 days in the FV mate, absolute minimum! (according to my guru, I should add)

[mat]

to let the yeast settle on the bottom of fermenter?

[Hoodlum]

it helps it to drop clear yes. I tend to do 10 days in the FV.

[dedken]

Yep, if you leave it another week more of the yeast will drop out of suspension. I wouldn't leave it in the FV too much longer than that as the dying yeast can impart 'off' flavours to your brew.

[prolix]

it isn't just to let the beer drop clear, there are side products in fermentaion that the yeast will clear up that are undesireable as they don't taste that great. A week to 10 days sorts them out.

Also be careful of too fast a fermentation as it they can raise the temp of the fermentation too high, anything above 22c is too high, yeasts can produce fusels (higher alcohols) that you just don't want.

aim for 18c at the start of fermentation then any increase in temp will keep it in the safe zone.

[mat]

have been fermenting this in the airing cuboard as its the only place with a stable temp around 17c - 22c. taken temp reading from samples and its been 21c, activity in airlock as slowed right down, current hydrometer reading is 1.010 and theres still a slight film on top. think i will leave it untill thursday to bottle. will be bulk priming in bottling bucket with extra 15g sugar to get a bit more fizz.
Just to add I steeped 20g saaz hops in 80c water 15 mins cooled to 30c before adding. after reading somewhere that if you add hop tea to the fermenter without cooling it you lose some of the aroma can anyone confirm this.