Very Slow fermentation on Coopers Ginger beer kit,is this ok

[Welshspud]

Hi,

Started a Coopers Ginger Beer kit this weekend, and the fermentation seems very slow compared to other batches brewed.
Its been under a heat pad for a full three days, and only bubbling every 2 - 5min.

Can someone let me know if this is ok?
Is this the nature of the product / yeast of the kit?
I've followed the instructions step by step, do I need to do anything further to activate the fermentation?

 

[RobWalker]

there's a lot of nutrients and proteins in beer. ginger beer has next to none, so it will take longer. if you've ever brewed wine or cider, probably about the same amount of time as them!

if you've got airlock activity and a foamy head you're good. chances are it's bubbling super slowly because your bucket isn't a perfect seal, which is fine.

 

[Markdon]

Have a look in kit reviews, mine has just finished. Took 3 days then went mental, ended up fitting a catch pot as kept spewing out of airlock!

 

[ericmark]

I did three lots I am sure now in hind sight the first one never fermented although taste was OK. Second and third were ages in the fermentor I thought there was a problem with yeast so added a beer yeast. Around 21 days in fermentor and 21 days bottled before sampled. Said 6 days on can and as a result really messed up the start time for Winter Warmers.

Will not do another unless huge stock of beer worse kit I have done.

 

[Welshspud]

Many thank for the help!
There is a little more life in the airlock today but nothing mental. Bubbling once or twice a minute if lucky. It seems to be more active if it's at 25 / 27c , if I switch the heat pad off and let it temperature drop to 21ish it again become painfully slow.

I'll stick at it and see what happens.

Cheers

 

[NickW]

27C seems a bit high.... drop it nearer to 20c, and use patience. You'll have a much better beer :thumb:

 

[Markdon]

Mine was 18-19c and it was fine, took a while. Though i added quite a bit to mine to make it suit my taste buds (fiery hot ginger taste with a chilli kick and 6.1%) dont stress, lower the temp, it could be that your lid isnt tight?

 

[Welshspud]

Hi,

Wonder if someone can help?

I posted the blog above, regarding the slow fermentation of my fingers coopers beer!
As surgest end, I turned the temp down and keep it at more 21 degrees.

Well it's still bubbling away and been fermenting for 14days!
The airlock is bubbling every few minutes, I've done a hydrometer reading over the last three days which are as follow:

Friday : 1006
Saturday : 1004
Today (Sunday) : what seems to be 1006 possible 1004

The readings seem steady ish, depending if I read Saturday reading correctly.

Basically, is the ginger beer ready to bottle?