Slow fermentation after initial spurt.

[phracksipsin]

So I decided to make a christmas stout brew, I've done a couple of kits before and am brewing in a king keg. After a spectacular initial burst of energy which generated a lot of foam from the opening it has slowed to a halt. I can't hear any gas coming from the kit at all which I have in the past. When I pick it up and shake it I get some activity from it and I have already placed a beer belt around it to try an warm it. I was wondering if anyone had any experience that they could bring to bear on the situation, should I worry or is it just a little slower than previous brews? Should I re-pitch?

Thanks for any help.

 

[phracksipsin]

Edit: Resubmission.

 

[Moley]

Welcome to the forum, and apologies for the delay in authorising your posts, we are trying new measures to keep out the spammers. I would usually still be online at the time of your first attempt but we had guests last night, although I am surprised that none of the other site crew were online in the later part of the evening.

Anyway, what time scale are we talking about here, when did you start this brew, is it possible that fermentation could already have finished?

I also have to ask, do you have a hydrometer, because that would remove all of the guess work?

 

[phracksipsin]

Hello, thanks for the welcome, I didn't read the bit about there being a review before it being posted so it's my fault.

I started the brew on the Saturday and when I checked it Sunday it had stopped. I tasted some from the tap and it still tastes like sugar so I'm pretty sure it hasn't finished . I have a hydrometer somewhere I think, would you recommend taking some readings a few days apart and seeing if it has shifted or some other method?

Thanks.

 

[StubbsPKS]

Usually you will take one right before pitching your yeast. We call that the Original Gravity (OG), and then you will take one when it seems the activity has died down.

If the SG remains constant for 2 or 3 days and is near the expected Final Gravity (FG), then you can bottle/keg.

 

[Moley]

I didn't read the bit about there being a review before it being posted so it's my fault.

It's something new we're trying, where all first posts are held for us to check before letting you loose on the forum.

But, in the last few minutes I've let in Maverick from Manchester and shot hawkjones from New Delhi who wanted to offer us online moves and TV shows, so I'm guessing it's going to stay.


Back to your brew, did you take an OG reading so we have something to compare with? It would certainly help if you took a reading now.

I have to ask why your brew is in a King Keg, that's a conditioning / dispensing vessel and not a fermenter. Do you not have a 25 or 30 litre brewing bucket?

 

[phracksipsin]

Hmmm, okay thanks, I will look for my hydrometer tonight and take a reading I didn't take one initially.

I am brewing in a king keg for simplicity really. I made a brew bucket with a bottom tap then glue gunned a seal around the tap and put the hot wort in. Suffice to say the glue dissolved and I have been back to the king keg until I fix the bucket more permanently. I intend to bottle most of it anyway so I didn't think it was that bad a move.

 

[StubbsPKS]

shot hawkjones from New Delhi who wanted to offer us online moves and TV shows

I am interested in what this man has to say, and you've just shot him down? :rofl:


I like the new system as it isn't much of a hassle for a new user to have one post approved and hopefully isn't too much of a hassle for the admin team. Keep up the good work guys :)