My first brew - Have I messed it up?

[thechevron]

It's the Craft Blonde Lager kit.
I started Saturday and I sanitised everything. I warmed the two pouches and added 3 litres of boiling water mixed it up. I then added 20 litres of cold water from the tap.

Here's where I think I messed up. The water from the tap was very cold. I had rehydrated the yeast and mixed it up but I never checked the temperature of the mix in the FV. Once I had added the yeast I noticed that the temperature was 16 degrees.

I put it in the cupboard and its now at a steady 18 degrees for the last 2 days.

From reading around I seen that its best to add the yeast at about 24 degrees.

Have I messed it up?
Is 18 degrees warm enough or should I move it somewhere warmer?

[nigel_c]

18 is an ideal temp. It may take a day to get started being pitched at 16 but it will be fine. Just forget about it for a few weeks and get another on the go.

[Leann ull]

24 is high try and be 19 +/- 2

[LordEoin]

You'll be grand

[thechevron]

Thanks for the replies. I hope you're all right.

[thechevron]

The instructions say it has to be kept at 22 degrees for best results.

Mine is still at 18 degrees and there is no bubbling after 3 days

[DEMPSEY]

Temperature is a guide not a fixed target. Did you take a s/g reading before you pitched the yeast. If you did then by taking another reading now will tell you if fermentation is under way. The higher the temperature the quicker the wort will ferment but this also changes the taste of the beer as different flavors are created. 18 degrees is fine.

[Leann ull]

No Bubbling could be just a loose lid

[thechevron]

Starting gravity was 1.038

Gravity today (day 4) was 1.020

[Pheeel]

Looks like CH was right (don't tell him that though)

[Leann ull]

Just call me Shylock
We've all done it, at least your off now secure that lid and bubbler and give it a couple of weeks to do its thing.

[googoomuck]

Just call me Shylock
We've all done it, at least your off now secure that lid and bubbler and give it a couple of weeks to do its thing.

You want a pound of flesh for your services?!

[thechevron]

Thanks lads.

I dont have a trial hjar, so I am using the tube the hydrometer came in to take the readings. Is this ok?

[Leann ull]

That can be a bit tight and give an incorrect reading due to the surface tension on the side.
I used to just drop a sanitised hydrometer into the bucket and spin away from foam to ensure there was no bubbles on the bulb
Resist the temptation to test gravity every day I know that's hard.
I would measure it at pitching and 2-3weeks later on 3 consecutive days to ensure fermentation has finished before bottling.
Every time you crack the lid there is the potential to allow friends in and remove the positive pressure c02 blanket.

Glass or plastic Carboys if you want to see what your beer gets up to

[Pheeel]

What I miss about moving to buckets is seeing the yeasties float around