Fermentation advice, please

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guypettigrew
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Fermentation advice, please

Post by guypettigrew » Thu Mar 10, 2022 1:22 pm

For ages now I've been making and very much enjoying Great Barr WobblyGob cider.

My latest keg is about to run out, and I'm about to go away on holiday.

Do you think it would be OK to start the next one off before I go and leave it in the FV until I get back? It would be a total of about 17-18 days, and will be at the fermentation temperature of 23/24°C.

Or do you think it will not survive being held at this temperature for so long?

It's normally held at this temperature for up to 10 days before being cooled and dropped into the keg.

All advice very gratefully received.

Guy

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MashBag
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Re: Fermentation advice, please

Post by MashBag » Thu Mar 10, 2022 1:57 pm

I would run it at 20c in an airlocked fermenter, with just enough head space and expect it to be fine.

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MashBag
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Re: Fermentation advice, please

Post by MashBag » Thu Mar 10, 2022 2:03 pm

I have run open grape ferments for 10 days, then clingfilm & hold for 14 days while on hols. Done it for several years now.

WalesAles
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Re: Fermentation advice, please

Post by WalesAles » Thu Mar 10, 2022 2:27 pm

MashBag wrote:
Thu Mar 10, 2022 1:57 pm
I would run it at 20c in an airlocked fermenter, with just enough head space and expect it to be fine.
Guy,
Same as MashBag.

WA

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MarkA
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Re: Fermentation advice, please

Post by MarkA » Fri Mar 11, 2022 12:28 am

I made this cider a few months back and left if for 3 weeks at 24 degrees in an open fermenter (tin foil covering fermenter hole).

It will be fine.

guypettigrew
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Re: Fermentation advice, please

Post by guypettigrew » Sat Mar 12, 2022 5:14 pm

Thanks all.

Gives me confidence to start the cider the day before I go away and leave it for a couple of weeks without worrying.

Guy

guypettigrew
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Re: Fermentation advice, please

Post by guypettigrew » Mon Apr 11, 2022 6:51 pm

Update: Worked well. Left it at 23°C while away. Kegged it 17 days after starting it off. It had fermented out to below 1.000 so took some time to get some sparkle in it after kegging--1 litre of apple juice used for priming--but tastes great now.

Just ordered 4 more of the Wobbly Gob Great Barr kits from Hamstead home brew.

Very lovely stuff!

Guy

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MashBag
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Re: Fermentation advice, please

Post by MashBag » Mon Apr 11, 2022 7:07 pm

Nice one.

Blimey forgotten all about Hampstead HB. Used to be really good guys.

guypettigrew
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Re: Fermentation advice, please

Post by guypettigrew » Mon Apr 11, 2022 7:38 pm

Why do you say 'used to be'? They are still excellent.

Guy

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MashBag
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Re: Fermentation advice, please

Post by MashBag » Tue Apr 12, 2022 11:44 am

Good. I meant... they used to be when I used them... And prolly will be again.

TBH. Not impressed with Hukins that's for sure. They don't return calls either. Might need to find Ernest hops somewhere else if the beer turns out nice 😱

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bitter_dave
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Re: Fermentation advice, please

Post by bitter_dave » Tue Apr 12, 2022 11:56 am

MashBag wrote:
Tue Apr 12, 2022 11:44 am

TBH. Not impressed with Hukins that's for sure. They don't return calls either. Might need to find Ernest hops somewhere else if the beer turns out nice 😱
If you’re using pellets Malt Miller have them. My set up doesn’t work well with pellets, hence having to look further afield for whole hops. I’m sure the quality of the hops you’ve bought will be good. I hope so because I can’t seem to get them anywhere else!

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MashBag
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Re: Fermentation advice, please

Post by MashBag » Tue Apr 12, 2022 2:35 pm

That's a bit of good news. Cheers.

What problem do you have with pellets?

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bitter_dave
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Re: Fermentation advice, please

Post by bitter_dave » Wed Apr 13, 2022 12:16 am

MashBag wrote:
Tue Apr 12, 2022 2:35 pm
That's a bit of good news. Cheers.

What problem do you have with pellets?
They clog up my hop filter (a bazooka type thing). I’m happy with where I’ve arrived at with my set so happy to use whole hops

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MashBag
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Re: Fermentation advice, please

Post by MashBag » Wed Apr 13, 2022 7:13 am

That makes sense. The bazooka was really designed with leaf in mind.

Colin sent me a few tea bags to try. Brilliant things.

But I do agree with your sentiment 'my setup works fine'. I don't want a stainless Internet connected brewery. No a competitiin brewer, just want a nice drop.
My BM is very modified and my brewday breaks a few rules, but it's not changing.

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