John Bull Best Bitter

Shodi · Post by **Shodi** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 3:49 pm

Hi chaps,
I have got a JB Best on the go just now but it seems to be taking forever, I started this off 3 weeks ago today with 1Kg Billingtons unrefined demerera and 500g Dark Mucovado which gave me an OG of 1.052. I started an Edme stout the same way and kegged it 2 days ago at 1.009, however the JB is still bubbling away and checked 2 days ago showing 1.010.

Has anyone else found this kit to be a slow burner or do I maybe have something else going on here?

masterosouffle · Post by **masterosouffle** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 3:54 pm

Have you taken another reading? I reckon it may well be done at 1010...

Shodi · Post by **Shodi** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 4:00 pm

Well thats what I would have thought but I'm still getting very regular bubbles from the airlock indicating life in the yeasties yet. I was just wondering if anyone else has had this with a kit, although I have done the JB before its not a regular choice and cant remember how the last one went.

BarnsleyBrewer · Post by **BarnsleyBrewer** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 4:04 pm

Probably the type of sugar that's taking the yeast longer to munch away at it....
The type of sugar you used could be thinning the brew down to much, might end up a thin high alcohol beer with little taste..

Take out a sample and if it looks clear bottle or keg it because the bubbles might just be coming out of suspension and not from fermentation!!

BB

Shodi · Post by **Shodi** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 4:17 pm

Cheers, I shall draw off another sample after dinner and see whether it has dropped any and or cleared

sparky Paul · Post by **sparky Paul** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 4:31 pm

Shodi wrote:Well thats what I would have thought but I'm still getting very regular bubbles from the airlock indicating life in the yeasties yet.

As BB says, you will get CO2 coming out of suspension for several days after fermentation has finished, sometimes longer.

The best way to tell is with the hydrometer... 2-3 days of consistent readings and you are probably done.

Shodi · Post by **Shodi** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 5:03 pm

I do apologise chaps, I'm forgetting the basics there, thanks for the replies I couldn't wait til after dinner so I sterilised my sample cup and drew off enough for the hydrometer jar, it is still relatively cloudy but i dont suppose it will full clear as it is a bitter but to my surprise the reading is now down to 1.005

this will be a good un lol. I also had a wee taste and its not too bad at all so I will just have to be patient i think.

What would you recommend to finish, should I move to somewhere cooler for a week or two or maintain the 20/21 degrees.

Cheers Tam

BarnsleyBrewer · Post by **BarnsleyBrewer** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 5:41 pm

I'd be tempted to put somewhere cooler to drop the yeast, 1005 is quite low for a beer..
Is your hydrometer correct?

BB

Shodi · Post by **Shodi** » Thu Apr 19, 2012 6:28 pm

I believe so, water sits at 1.000. it work well enough with other brews, my stout went into a corny a couple of days ago and it started at pretty much the same og with the same sugar and ended @ 1.009
I have to admit to a bit of desperation on getting the stout into the kegerator (ran out)

I'll move the JB into a cupboard on the outside wall to bring down the temp and monitor for a few days.

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