Homebrew

[THE_Liam]

This is going to sound a bit daft but I'm not 100% sure how to use the hydrometer to test the % of the product.

Am I right in thinking I need to take one measurement at the start, and then one at the end?

If so, I presume both are taken in the same manner?

So I prepare my drink, then add the yeast last, stir it? Or leave it to fall naturally? Do I take a measurement now? Or before I add the yeast? To take a measurement just pour a small amount out in to a different container or just bung the hydrometer in to the demi-john?

You can't really go wrong with this mate. You can stir the yeast if you want, but it's fine to rest it on top. Take your OG (original gravity) read before you add the yeast, and do it in a seperate pot so you don't infect the beer, or alternatively sterilise the hydrometer. Really you need to sterilise everything that will touch the brew, either with a sterilising agent or just boiling water, so it doesn't go manky.

The foam and scum has gone down on mine after 2 days but now it's popping like mad, bubbling every 10 seconds and it looks just like scrumpy! Almost identical to yours cully. Gonna wait for it to stop, then bottle it for a couple of weeks with some sugar to carbonate and settle

The beer is up to 1.9% and still fermenting