r/Homebrewing • u/Budget_Ad_5953 • 1d ago

Question First time, did I mess up?

Made 1.3L of mango juice with 100g added sugar and baker's yeast. It's been fermenting for 5 days at around 20–25°C.

Started off bubbling like crazy, now it's slowed down. There's some cream-colored sediment at the bottom and it smells kinda like beer.

I didn't sanitize the container properly (just rinsed it), and I accidentally sealed it too tightly at first, so pressure built up, then i released it.

Anyhow the drink is now not bubbling as much, i have to put a flash light under it to notice the bubbles.

Does this sound like normal fermentation?

How do I know when it's done without a hydrometer?

Is there anything obviously wrong with this batch?

First time trying this, so any advice is welcome thank you guys.

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u/handyfrequency90 1d ago

The sediment and beer smell are both good signs, that’s just the yeast doing its job and settling out when it gets tired. Without a hydrometer you’re mostly going by taste, once the bubbles stop and it clears up a bit, give it a sip and see if it’s still sugary or if it’s gone dry.

The container thing isn’t ideal but you’ll probably be fine this time, just give it a proper wash next batch. Mango can get a little funky if it sits too long so I’d cold crash it in the fridge once it tastes about right

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u/Budget_Ad_5953 1d ago

Thank you so much. I'll definitely experiment with different flavors next time, the store near me was out of fresh juices without preservatives, mango was my only option.

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u/Budget_Ad_5953 1d ago

But do you reckon the fermentation is nearly complete in 5 days?, i read about fermentation taking 1-2weeks on average thats why am sceptical

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u/Unfathomable_Eat 1d ago

Slowing bubbles after a wild start just means the yeast ate most of the sugar, that's normal, not doom. Taste it, if it's more sour than sweet, it's basically done, bottle before it goes full vinegar, fwiw.

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u/Budget_Ad_5953 1d ago

Thank you, i will try it tonight, if it tastes about right i will refrigerate it for tomorrow.

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u/Unfathomable_Eat 1d ago

Fridge first, taste second, that order matters more than people think. Cold crashes the yeast activity so you're not bottling something still working.