I did my first interim check on my vat of soon-to-be beer last night. The reading I got with the hydrometer was 1.028, or possibly slightly lower, at 20ºC. That is still some way from the 1.005 reading needs to pass and hold below but travelling in the right direction from Saturday’s start.

Before drawing a sample, I measured how much I needed for the sample tube: 20oml or, more conveniently a small glass (a recycled Nutella jar). The glass had been sterilised with VWP cleanser but then also rinsed with clean water, so I decided to test the sample less scientifically too. Still very sweet but the yeast is at work so it should be on track to produce a decent brew.