Wilkinson Homebrew Lager Kit

[Paul D84]

I have brewed one of Wilkos Lager kits, it completed its fermentation last week and went into the secondary stage last Saturday when I bottled etc. I am going to a BBQ on Sunday and was wondering if it may be ready to drink or not by then?? It's had its time in the warm and in the cool and now really just waiting as its completion date was Next weekend, what are your thoughts???

Has anyone ever got impatient with their homebrew in the past and what happened??

[shirlthegirl43]

It won't do you any harm so long as it is no longer fermenting. Cloudy wine or beer is okay to drink.

[Paul D84]

Silly question here I expect, what's the best way to tell if it is still fermenting or not??

[shirlthegirl43]

It should have stopped before you bottled it, you should check the specific gravity over three days and if it remains the same then ferment has stopped. If it was in the primary bucket for a good week chances are it is okay (mind you I am doing a beer kit at the moment and I am not convinced it has stopped after a week)

If you primed the bottles there will be a small ferment to create bubbles. I would go with taste it and see what you reckon

[Paul D84]

The gravity was spot on when I went to bottle, had been the same for 2 days and bottled the 3rd evening, added sugar to the bottles when I was bottling them and they have been outside in the store since so hopefully will be ok

[shirlthegirl43]

Should be completely fine. Enjoy!!

[Sanjo]

I make my husband's beer and lager. He prefers to leave it a couple of weeks in the bottle before he chills it. Yours, I am sure will be fine. It just might not be quite at the "fizzy" stage yet that's all. It won't make you ill or anything. If it's just for your own consumption at the BBQ then you can smack you lips and drool over it (even if it's a bit flat) and impress everyone.
If you are sharing it - you might have to point out that it's only just finished. Why not try one the night before so that you can see what quality/stage you are at.