I just put a regular fermentation lock on the brown ale last night,
instead of the funny blow-off tubing. It's still fermenting slowly but
I've let it get to room temperature (~60degreesF) in the house which
slows it down but may make the beer clearer. I didn't notice any
fermentation bubbles in the first batch although I didn't take the
time to sit and watch it for long. I may try to do a specific gravity
reading tonight and again in a day or two to see if it's really
finished fermenting. It's been about 10 days or so and it should be
getting close, even at the 60deg fermentation temperatures.