I got a brewing kit for Christmas. I started my first brew on Jan 8. I live in a house with all hardwood floors so it stays cool in my house. My brew has stayed around 60-62 degrees this whole time. I was told by my local brew shop to take a hydrometer reading, which of course I have never done. I have a few questions. I am brewing a Grand Cru Belgian from bewferm.
1. How do I take hydrometer reading?
2. I read on my brew book that I need to test a small amount in a cylinder. Will I ruin my brew by opening the container?
3. How will I know if my brew is fermenting?
Needless to say I am a little nervous. Any help is much appreciated.

Michael

Here is a webpage I came across which describes how to read a hydrometer and has some nice illustrations.: http://www.grapestompers.com/articles/hydrometer_use.htm

By the way, in terms of taking hydrometer reading I only take a reading of the wort's original gravity. This allows to be judge whether or not I hit my target gravity. If I am way off then I may need to take remedial measures when I transfer the wort to the secondary fermenter.

At any rate, I generally avoid opening the fermenter as much as possible. Activity on the airlock is a pretty good indicator of how the fermentation is progressing and has no associated risk of contamination.

Don't get me wrong a lot of people regularly check the gravity of their beer as fermentation progresses with no ill effects. I don't believe it is worth the risk but....

- Scott

Like Stihler, I usually only take an OG reading of my beer. I'm not really worried about contamination, I just don't think it really helps me as a brewer to hover over a fermenting batch and worry over the numbers. Given enough time and the proper conditions, the yeast usually will take care of business without any help from me.
However, for a large beer like a belgian dark strong, I might take a FG reading immediately after fermentation, to make sure I got the attenuation I expected from my mash parameters. I believe that the kit you purchased is not an all grain kit, so I don't think you really need to worry about it. I tend to think that FG readings are taken when you have a problem with your beer, or you really need to check your mash fermentability.
If you are set on taking a reading, go with either of Wild's approaches. Sanitize the hydrometer (with a bit of string attached if you're using a carboy) and drop the hydrometer directly in your bucket to take a reading. Use the string to fish the hydrometer out if you're using a carboy.
Personally, I'd use either a sanitized wine thief or Wild's turkey baster to remove a sample from the fermenter and take a reading. You shouldn't return this sample to your fermenter once it's been removed. I prefer this method, because I can taste the sample to really get an idea of what's going on with the beer.

Thanks guys. What does the reading need to be at? I never took a reading previously. Unfortunately I have not been able to keep a close watch on the brew because I have been in and out of town. Again the help is very appreciated.
Cheers!
Michael

I would imagine that the kit you purchased would have had that info. If not, it's sorta a tough call. If you started at 1.075 OG (this is what the kit says your OG should have been) and you brewed an 8% ABV beer (from the kit info), your FG should be around 1.014.

Are you seeing any bubbling out of your airlock?

I imagine by this time you probably have bottled, I didnt see any mention of temperature to test the gravity in the previous postings..!!!!! the wort should be at 60 deg F if the wort is not at 60 deg F a correction factor must be used to obtain the correct gravity. OG is important: to watery ???? to heavy???? only OG will tell.