high wherry hydrometer reading

[jmcc1889]

Hi

My woodfordes wherry has now been in the fv for exactly a week it was obvious that the fermentation was not as active as my earlier Nelsons reserve. There was not as much foam on top or speed of bubbles through the airlock. I took a reading this morning which came back at 1018. I would not say that fermintation has stopped but activity through the airlock has certainly slowed right down. I have a heating tube in the fv so am confident it is at an even 20 degrees. i have always intended to leave it for at least 10 days in the fv but unsure if it will drop to the recommended 1014. Can anyone advise?

Thanks again
John

[RichardG]

Is that the only hydro reading you've taken?

[jmcc1889]

Richard

yes it is, i drew a sample from the fv tap and got the 1018 reading, i suppose I will not get an accurate reading until i take a couple more over the next couple of days. This is only my second attempt at brewing, the first kit of Nelsons resrve turned out superb but there is only a few bottles left!

John

[RichardG]

I'd second Chris's comments. If you're concerned it's stuck, give it a gentle rouse with a sanitised stirrer, and leave it. As a general rule it's usually best to leave a brew for 10 days (I usually leave mine two weeks), so after stirring I'd suggest waiting another week or so. Then check the gravity and see what you get over two readings.

[brewin_bear]

Maybe try a 1/2 teaspoon of yeast vit as well - I've done 2 kits Wherry and Nelson and used 1/2 teaspoon of vit, both have reached 1.012; the Wherry in 3 days, the Nelson in 7 days.

BTW, my Wherry is only 2 weeks old but it already tastes very very nice.

[jmcc1889]

Thanks Guys for your help.

I had seen in the forum the posts about problems with these kits but my Nelsons Reserve turned out so well I decided to risk it! I took a second sample this morning and there is no change in the reading so I have done as recommended and given it a gentle stir. I will leave it a week and hope that this will get it going.

PS The sample that I drew off doesn't taste that bad so perhaps I will have to suffer the slightly sweeter and weaker brew anyway.

John

[jubby]

If it still ends up a bit high,I would cut down on the conditioning sugars.

[Scotty]

I too have just acquired a Wherry kit. From what I can gather from other threads, using s-04 yeast wouldn't be too beneficial due to the lack of nutrient in the wort?

[jmcc1889]

Re Chri's earlier reply

These kits have a tendancy to stick at around 1018-1020, we've complained to Muntons(the manufacturers of the Woodfords range) but it appears to have fallen on deaf ears.

What is the actual problem down to, is it with the yeast that is supplied? If so should it be set aside and another yeast used, if so which? or is there more to it than this and it is a combination of the malt extract etc.

John

[Shedman67]

I added 250g of sugar to my wherry kit for a bit more Abv!
It started @ 1.044 and dropped to 1.012 in 5 days. (4.2% Abv)
Also it dropped allmost crystal clear in the Cornie with 8tsp isinglass after only 2 days on CO2.
IMHO it tastes better than the genuine product (3.8% Abv)
Another Can to glass miracle in only 7 days.

Regards,
SM67

[jmcc1889]

Well i have given it a gentle stir as suggested but to be honest there is only a slight fermintation and bubbles coming through the airlock every 40-50 seconds. Should I leave it a week and see what my hydrometer readings tell me or should i act now and add enzymes etc .

Your views are much appreciated

John

[jmcc1889]

Hi
I wonder if anyone could clarify this point, i have been advised to get a restart pack from my local home brew shop this apparently will restart what appears to be a stuck fermintation with my wherry. Is this pack just fresh yeast or is there more in it than that? I assume there will be instructions with it but just incase can anyone eloborate.
Sorry for all these questions but i feel I'm on a steep learning curve!!

[jmcc1889]

I was reading the link on the forum about how to read a Hydrometer and the fact that plain water should read 1.000, When I checked my own hydrometer in tap water it gave me a reading of 1.005. Perhaps this is the reason that my wherry readings are high. My Hydrometer is quite old but does not appear damaged should it read bang on 1.000 with tap water?

Thanks
John

[Lillywhite]

I was reading the link on the forum about how to read a Hydrometer and the fact that plain water should read 1.000, When I checked my own hydrometer in tap water it gave me a reading of 1.005...... My Hydrometer is quite old but does not appear damaged should it read bang on 1.000 with tap water?

Maybe you're not reading it correctly? The liquid is curved at the top where it meets the hydrometer and it gives a lower reading at this point.

It takes a bit of experience reading the hydrometer. Spin it to make sure there are no bubbles attached and then take a reading at the bottom of the surface of the liquid.

I very much doubt if your hydrometer is faulty.

[jmcc1889]

You could right but that will make my reading even higher
i think I will go to my home brew shop and try to start the fermination again