Bubbler Airlock

[Jim Brewster]

It will be absolutely fine.

For the record I have not used a airlock for years.

There's breweries out there that ferment in big open tanks, and have done for centuries.
It's beers like NEIPAs where it starts to be more necessary.

 

[jof]

Yep, top fermenting ale yeast provides a nice protective blanket, but I would probably still bung an airlock in at the end while we wait for completion of the 2 week recommended fermentation.

 

[MashBag]

It's beers like NEIPAs where it starts to be more necessary.

Why?

I do use a lid or cover (never open) just not an airlock. The co2 does most of the work.

 

[Jim Brewster]

Why?

I do use a lid or cover (never open) just not an airlock. The co2 does most of the work.

The high levels of hop aroma compounds make them particularly sensitive to oxidation, reportedly. I've only attempted a few new England style IPAs and they weren't quite as fresh as commercial examples though I'm not sure if it was oxidation or something else

 

[MashBag]

If the fermentation vessel is only 2/3 ish full, the co2 produced by the yeast will form a blanket on top of the beer preventing oxidation. Air locked or not surely.