Can fermentation be too fast?

[Pit Creature]

Hi guys. I’m new to the forum and to home brewing.

For my 2nd attempt at a kit I thought I’d go for Cwtch which seems pretty well reviewed. I took an initial gravity reading of 1046 which is about normal for this kit by the sounds of things. 4 days later I took another gravity reading and got 1008 which is where I was expecting it to finish up.

I dry hopped on day 4 and am considering bottling on day 8.

I know that people suggest leaving it to ferment for 2 weeks+ normally but is there any point when it seems to be just about done?

Is a quick fermentation anything to worry about?

 

[foxbat]

Sounds like you got lucky with your kit yeast and had a good healthy fermentation. Yes do leave it for the full two weeks so that the yeast can consume the unwanted by-products that it produced during the active part of the fermentation (e.g. diacetyl).

 

[Pit Creature]

Sounds like you got lucky with your kit yeast and had a good healthy fermentation. Yes do leave it for the full two weeks so that the yeast can consume the unwanted by-products that it produced during the active part of the fermentation (e.g. diacetyl).

If I leave it for 2 weeks the dry hops might be in a bit too long. I’ve got them in a hop bag so I could just remove them after 4 days or so.

Think that would be a good idea?

 

[foxbat]

If I leave it for 2 weeks the dry hops might be in a bit too long. I’ve got them in a hop bag so I could just remove them after 4 days or so.

Think that would be a good idea?

I haven't dry hopped for a while so I'm not the best to give advice on when to remove the bag. There's a comparative test between 2 and 11 days here where a difference was noted. Hopefully someone else who dry hops a lot will contribute.

 

[The Baron]

Yes just remove the hops when you want but don't leave too long around 7 days tops for most people as they can give a grassy note? after that length of time - do not take this as gospel as many people have done it for longer and never had any probs as I am sure somebody will tell you.

 

[Ghillie]

Agreed, the yeast does more than just turn sugar to alcohol - go with two weeks.

Wrt the dry hopping, pull them out after 4 days if possible. In the future, you should just dry hop for 4 days at the end. So when aiming for a fermentation period of two weeks, dry hop on day 10.

 

[OlsBean]

Also check that Hydrometer hasn't got cracked or damaged between readings (Based on personal experience), they can be surprisingly delicate.

 

[Sandimas]

What temperature did you ferment at? It could be a result of this hot weather if at room temp.

I was about to brew last weekend but postponed it because the house temps were too hot.

 

[Pit Creature]

What temperature did you ferment at? It could be a result of this hot weather if at room temp.

I was about to brew last weekend but postponed it because the house temps were too hot.

It was about 22 degrees. It’s managed to creep down to 1005 now so it’ll be stronger than it says on the box.

 

[Pit Creature]

Also check that Hydrometer hasn't got cracked or damaged between readings (Based on personal experience), they can be surprisingly delicate.

Hydrometer is definitely still intact!

 

[Pit Creature]

Anyone got any tips for cold crashing without a fridge?

 

[Nicks90]

Bury it and let the AVG ground temp help you out?

As for how long to keep it in the fv...this has always confused me. Don't get me wrong, I leave mine in the fv for 2 weeks because "that's what you should do". But. What's the difference between leaving it in the fv for and extra week after its finished dermenfermen, and leaving it in a bottle for 4 weeks? Surely the yeast is still tidying up after itself no matter where it is?

 

[Pit Creature]

Bury it and let the AVG ground temp help you out?

As for how long to keep it in the fv...this has always confused me. Don't get me wrong, I leave mine in the fv for 2 weeks because "that's what you should do". But. What's the difference between leaving it in the fv for and extra week after its finished dermenfermen, and leaving it in a bottle for 4 weeks? Surely the yeast is still tidying up after itself no matter where it is?

Thanks for the suggestion! I’ve got some frozen bottles strapped to the fv at th moment. Don’t know if that will make much difference though.

I’ve wondered the same. I think I’m going to bottle mine on day 11 (tomorrow). It’ll have finished fermentation for at least 4 days by this point and I want to get my next kit going asap.

 

[Pavros]

If you have a concrete floor anywhere, just stand the fv on that overnight. I cold crash using either my garage floor or my utility room.