Can I make beer in a wine kit?

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Can I make beer in a wine kit?

Postby newbrewer808 » Thu Aug 12, 2010 3:04 am

I am trying to make beer in my wine kit. The primary is 6 gallons, and my batch is 5 gallons. I had one good day of bubbles but on the second day it stopped.

Is it not possible to make beer in these? or is this normal in all cases?

Thanks
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Re: Can I make beer in a wine kit?

Postby bob1 » Thu Aug 12, 2010 8:38 pm

yes beer will finish quicker than wine if the temp is not held below 70
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Re: Can I make beer in a wine kit?

Postby jeepguy » Fri Aug 13, 2010 1:55 pm

The only diference in the wine and beer making kits i sell usually is a bottle capper or corker. They will work for anything which is great.
What temp did it ferment at? And did you take a hydrometer reading after brewing?
Is the fermenter a carboy or bucket?
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Re: Can I make beer in a wine kit?

Postby newbrewer808 » Fri Aug 13, 2010 4:02 pm

Thanks for the help!

The hydrometer reading I started with was 1.044. The primary fermenter was the 8 gallon bucket that came with the wine kit. I transfered it to a 5 gallon glass carboy last night. It didn't make it to the top but everything I read said to wait a day before filling it the rest of the way with water.

It was stored at a 65is temp.

The carboy hasn't started bubbling yet. But when I did the transfer it did smell like beer and I didn't smell any skunkyness to it.
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Re: Can I make beer in a wine kit?

Postby jeepguy » Tue Aug 17, 2010 3:25 am

Beer can ferment in just a couple days after it starts sometimes. So depending on how long it was in the bucket it could be done bubbling. A few more days in the carboy to finish and clear a bit. I never topped off my batches. Its a chance to contaminate it possible. Alot of people do though with no problems. You could take another reading now and see if it has fermented or not.
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Re: Can I make beer in a wine kit?

Postby Stihler » Tue Aug 17, 2010 4:53 pm

The primary fermenter was the 8 gallon bucket that came with the wine kit. I transfered it to a 5 gallon glass carboy last night. It didn't make it to the top but everything I read said to wait a day before filling it the rest of the way with water.

I don't see any reason to wait a day before topping your carboy off.

I used to have small brew kettle so I always had to top off by carboys. I simply did that right after transferring the beer to the secondary fermenter.

Don't forget to boil and cool the "top off water" first. You do this so as to remove dissolved oxygen from the water prior adding it to the beer.

Good luck!

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