FV still bubbling after 2 weeks

[pilgrimhudd]

Hi all, brewed another SMaSH 2 weeks ago, all went well, got it in fv, after 12 hours it was bubbling away like crazy.

Thing is after 2 weeks in the fv its still bubbling perhaps at 10 bubbles per min, a good 2cms of krausen and looks quite lively.

Im presuming i shouldnt be bottling this yet? How long should i leave it? I havent taken a reading yet i shall do that tomorrow.

Cheers, sos for the v. newbie question!

 

[DavidDetroit]

So everything sounds great (fermentation took off like it is supposed to).
Many will tell you that airlock activity is not the main indication (some say pay no attention to it at all) of when fermentation is complete.
Do what you stated--take a gravity reading.
By taking a gravity reading now/tomorrow you can then take another in two days. If they are the same, then fermentation is complete.
Answering another of your questions, no you shouldn't bottle until you know fermentation is complete (which will be verified by the steps above).
Regarding the krausen, if it is 2cm deep all the way across, then it appears that it hasn't "fallen." That alone is an indication that fermentation is still occurring.
In beer time, two weeks in the fermenter is approaching a long time for the beer to ferment, generally; nonetheless, do take a gravity reading while keeping your sanitation protocol in full effect.
Honestly, the only way to truly know without a lot of experience is the two gravity checks.
Personally, I don't touch the fermenter for three weeks. When I take that final gravity reading, it has always been where it was supposed to be but, to reiterate, the fail-safe way is to take two readings.
I hope this helps and good luck!

 

[pilgrimhudd]

Cheers david, yes i think the only real way to be certain is to take a gravity reading.

 

[steve denholm]

I've just brewed something similar matey (same as you i think NS pale ale) used safale -05, Krausen went ape shoot, I had to fit a blow off for a few days then took 1.5 weeks to drop.
3 weeks after brewing the FV is still bubbling every now and again (it may be releasing gas when i open the store room door though) but I took a sample 2 days 1.009 tasted like beer, if its 1.009 later today it's getting bottled :)

 

[pilgrimhudd]

Same beer i think steve, mines an NS too. Yeah i suppose i new the answer to my own question really, just wanted some reassurance, all my other brews have finished fermenting by at the latest day 9 so far though i have left them for two weeks. I'll get on testing the gravity when kids/wife etc got to bed!

 

[steve denholm]

Same beer i think steve, mines an NS too. Yeah i suppose i new the answer to my own question really, just wanted some reassurance, all my other brews have finished fermenting by at the latest day 9 so far though i have left them for two weeks. I'll get on testing the gravity when kids/wife etc got to bed!

good luck matey :)