OOPS

[Capone]

Hey Forum, :)

Ok where to begin ?? hmmm

Sunday was Brew-Day and I started Old Suffolk Strong Ale from a kit but I think either I didnt wash the steriliser out of my FV very
well or i got a bad batch of dehydrated yeast as im still not getting any action out of my air-lock. I had a butchers at the brew
and i found a Krausen collar of about only 1 inch therefore im guessing maybe some of the yeast was killed off but fermentation
is taking place.

I gently roused the sediment / yeast stitting on the bottom of my FV tonight to try and get it working harder i just hope that works.

If i get no change in the brew does anyone know if it is worth keeping it fermenting for an extended period of time like a month
instead of the usual 10 days ?

I really dont want to disturb it anymore by taking gravity readings every two days say as i want to avoid introducing bacteria
into the batch.

Does anyone have any advice? It would be welcome

 

[PD]

some fermentations are slow and placid. If you have had a Krausen ring of yeast formed don't worry too much I'm sure it will be working. Did you take an original hyrometer reading when you started ? if so give it 4-5 days and take another, that will tell you for definate if the brew has been fermenting.
You don't want to be leaving the brew for something like a month in the vessel as it will not do much for the safety and taste of the brew.
Post again when you have taken the 2nd reading

 

[calumscott]

Well that's a coincidence!!

My brew weekend before last was much the same. Cooled overnight and pitched in the morning. Looked good by the evening with a bulgy lid but next day dropped back and nothing much doing...

Took a couple of days in the airing cupboard to get it going again... If you've got some activity it's worth warming it up a little I reckon. Just not to too warm though and keep an eye and get it back to a sensible temp as soon as it's off and running.

Mine turned out (so far) brilliant if the sample the other day is anything to go by.

Just curious, what yeast did you use?

 

[Capone]

piddledribble thanks for the tip on fermentation speed never knew that one, ill let you know the difference in OG and my first
reading when i add my hops on friday. :

calumscott i just used the yeast supplied in the kit , a packet of dehydrated. Only this time i didnt make a starter with it
i just pitched it.

I might make it a rule to make starters from now on if this goes wrong.

 

[PD]

I'm on my 8th all grain brew and as yet I have never made a yeast starter. I don't doubt their benefits, but as yet I've had great fermentations within 12 hours by sprinkling my dried S-04 on the top. Sometimes I have re hydrated a couple of hours before adding, but its rare.

 

[TRXnMe]

I've not done as many AG brews as PD, but I've brewed a few gallons this year, always pitching dry yeast from the pack, so far no problems, well, apart from one apparent brew fail that turned out to be a missing O ring in the lid

CO2 can get out some very small gaps, so don't assume you have no activity just because you have no bubbles :)

 

[jimp2003]

You don't have to make a starter with a dried yeast - that's for the liquid yeasts. If you want to do anything at all with a dry yeast just rehydrate in cooled boiled water as per the instructions from the manufacturer.

 

[PD]

yes I know. I should have added I normally use dried yeasts because a starter not required... and at £6 for a liquid yeast I think it will need to be a special brew before I do use one

 

[Capone]

hey piddledribble,

Just to let you know I have taken a gravity reading and its dropped from 1.052 to 1.012

I think all is going well. Im guessing there is a slight gap between the cork and the cable from the heater that passes through it
into the FV.


Thanks again for the advice.

 

[PD]

always be guided by the hydrometer never by bubbles out the air kock