Brew UK Forum | Beer Kits
Fast Fermentation?
I started Wherry kit last Friday, per pack instructions, but with an additional 150g dextrose and 200g black treacle (yum) to pep it up a bit. OG was 1042.
Now, on Monday evening only three days later my hydrometer is telling me it's already down to 1010. Can that be right?
I've got the FV in a bain marie made out of a builders trug with an aquarium heater in it keeping the temp at 22C. Almost all of the scum from the surface has gone away (it was abundant over the weekend) and there're hardly any bubbles anymore, so on the whole, it looks like an almost perfect primary fermentation. But twice as quick as I've ever had it before. Can this be right?
It's the first time I've tried this bain marie technique, but so far, I like it!
Drinking: Thai Summer Ale, "Promised Lighning" Cascade Amber Ale
Fermenting: HONK! IPA - American IPA
Keg Conditioning: London's Burning Red Ale, Thornbridge Oatmeal Stout
Bottle Conditioning: Christmas Ale, "Gobhoblin" - a Hobgoblin clone, Kolsch,
Planning: Nelson Sauvin Single Hop Pale Ale
Fermenting: HONK! IPA - American IPA
Keg Conditioning: London's Burning Red Ale, Thornbridge Oatmeal Stout
Bottle Conditioning: Christmas Ale, "Gobhoblin" - a Hobgoblin clone, Kolsch,
Planning: Nelson Sauvin Single Hop Pale Ale
Responses
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
No 2 fermentations are the same! 22c is a warm temp for the yeast so it would have been hard working all of the time, plus even the size/shape of the fermentor itself will have an effect on fermentation and the yeast could have been really viable. Even so make sure you take 2-3 hydrometer readings over the next 2-3 days to ensure its finished, then its fine to leave it for 2 weeks or more to ensure the yeast left is eating all the undesirable by-products that the yeast has made during the process.
Nice one on the beer cooking dude!
Plannin'-
Loads a beer after an upgrade!
nathbrew@gmail.com
Posted 1 year ago by Member
On the subject of fermentation, what's the longest anyone's left their brew in the Primary FV for?
I've a Munich Dunkel fermenting at the minute and as to today it's into its 4th week and there's still bubbles going through the airlock every 40 seconds or thereabouts. Granted it's a pretty high ABV and is going straight to bottle. I measured the gravity last week and it had dropped from around 1056 to 1022 in 2 weeks. I'm shooting for an FG of around 1014-1015, so it's definitely going in the right direction.
Normally my brews are bottled/barrelled after 2 weeks or less, but this time around I'm using recycled Wyeast 1318 London 3 (yes, I know, I know, but it's the only liquid yeast I have) with a 1L starter, instead of the usual S04. Also, the room I ferment beer in is normally warmer than the 17-18 degrees it currently is, which may also account for the seeming sluggishness.
The main thing is, however, that it's tasting pretty good, but I was just curious about how long the rest of you would call the absolute limit?
-Barry
Fermenting: Marston's Pedigree
Conditioning (Bottles): Warsteiner Lager Clone
Drinking (King Keg): Fullers London Pride
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
Thats a good question mate. To be honest Im not sure, but if its fermenting, its fermenting so I wouldnt worry. People have been leaving beer in primary for up to 6 weeks with no problems what so ever. In fact a book im reading says its essential to leave it until all fermentation has finished and then only move to keg when the fermentor has dropped clear. There is no absolute limit really, it depends on yeast strain, temperature etc etc.
Plannin'-
Loads a beer after an upgrade!
nathbrew@gmail.com
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Cheers, Nath.
Yeah, it's fermenting away, it's airtight, it's tasting good. My only concern is that I can't brew anything else until I free up the fermenter
-Barry
Fermenting: Marston's Pedigree
Conditioning (Bottles): Warsteiner Lager Clone
Drinking (King Keg): Fullers London Pride
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
You only have ONE fermenter?????
What are you thinking man! You need at least 5!
Plannin'-
Loads a beer after an upgrade!
nathbrew@gmail.com
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Yes, but I've only 1 liver.
I have another FV and could throw a brew into that but because the Dunkel's going to be bottled, I'm keeping it free for priming.
Logistical own-goal there.
-Barry
Fermenting: Marston's Pedigree
Conditioning (Bottles): Warsteiner Lager Clone
Drinking (King Keg): Fullers London Pride
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
You only have ONE liver!
What were you doing man, you need at least 5!
Plannin'-
Loads a beer after an upgrade!
nathbrew@gmail.com
Posted 1 year ago by Member
I started off with 5 okay, but just kept losing them on nights out over the years. You know how it is.
-Barry
Fermenting: Marston's Pedigree
Conditioning (Bottles): Warsteiner Lager Clone
Drinking (King Keg): Fullers London Pride
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
No nasty chemicals in homebrew, unlike the commercials, so it should last a while yet.
Planning: - To get some more brews on now the weather's a bit cooler
Fermenting: - Ginger Beer experiment
Conditioning: - A normal bitter with Styrians
Drinking: - All of it!!
E-mail: arnyfris@gmail.com
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