airlocks mean nothing, but when they're doing something...?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by atomeyes, Nov 20, 2015.

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  1. atomeyes

    atomeyes Initiate (0) Jul 13, 2011 Canada (ON)

    so here's my situation.
    brewed a 7% abv porter. used a hefe yeast because we wanted banana out of the nose.
    i went to europe a week after brewday and the beer was still cleaning up. left it near a heat source so it could get them bananers noting out.
    i come home after 8 days. airlock's still moving.
    trying to think of a logical reason why the airlock would be bubbling every 4 seconds at this point.
    the krausen was healthy as hell and i had some yeastvomit, so had to change the airlock. so, in theory, there is a small risk of infection.
    smelled the beer and it smells fine.
    so at 2.5 weeks after primary pitch, should one assume:
    1. airlock activity means nothing (which, in this case, i kind of doubt it?)
    2. fermentation's done and the yeast is just floccing and causing the airlock activity?
    3. infection! infection!
    4. the golden unicorn i.e. autolysis
     
    #1 atomeyes, Nov 20, 2015
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  2. Seacoastbrewer

    Seacoastbrewer Initiate (0) Jun 5, 2012 New Hampshire

    What was the starting OG? What is SG now? What was the yeast strain? What's the beer temp now?

    CO2 can remain in solution for weeks after fermentation, so it can get knocked out of solution and cause airlock activity.
     
    #2 Seacoastbrewer, Nov 20, 2015
  3. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    It (almost always) means nothing to worry about. Theoretically, if you have in infection, that could account for the bubbles you're seeing now. But it's much more likely that fermentation wasn't finished and/or a pressure change is causing CO2 to off-gas.
     
    #3 VikeMan, Nov 20, 2015
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  4. atomeyes

    atomeyes Initiate (0) Jul 13, 2011 Canada (ON)

    all wonderful, in-depth questions. but i don't have the recipe. brewed it with a friend and it was all his thoughts with me leading the brew day.
    yeast strain was a hefeweizen strain. smackus packus.
     
    #4 atomeyes, Nov 20, 2015
  5. GUNSLINGER

    GUNSLINGER Initiate (0) Nov 18, 2013 Colorado

    I wouldn't worry about it. I've seen some odd airlock activity and it never meant a thing. Pressure changes, Co2 off gasses, etc- like Vike said.

    Just taste it and if bottling try one a bit earlier to see if the flavor changes or not.

    I think our brew will be fine.
     
    #5 GUNSLINGER, Nov 20, 2015
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  6. WertMaker

    WertMaker Initiate (0) Jan 17, 2009 Oregon

    Your yeast choice and brewing goal indicate you are fermenting above 73 degrees F. That being the case, I am not surprised that your fermentation is still running. Relax, sniff the airlock, check for off coloration in the krausen. If there is nothing odd, let it go. If you think it should be finished, chill it down slowly to around 66 and let it finish. I do not expect you will have much flocculation due to the yeast selected, so that might give your Porter a hazy brown appearance.

    Let us know how it turns out!
     
    #6 WertMaker, Nov 20, 2015
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  7. atomeyes

    atomeyes Initiate (0) Jul 13, 2011 Canada (ON)

    that's pretty much my plan, actually :slight_smile:

    thanks, guys
     
    #7 atomeyes, Nov 20, 2015
  8. machalel

    machalel Initiate (0) Jan 19, 2012 Australia

    Repeat after me:
    "Ignore the airlock
    Trust the hydrometer"

    It may (1) still be fermenting, (2) have finished and is just off-gassing dissolved CO2, (3) be infected...

    Does it have a white-ish film on the top that looks like a lunar landscape? If yes then (3).
    Does the SG that you are measuring with your hydrometer (see above) move over 2-3 days? If yes then (1) and if not then (2).


    Seeing as it's been two weeks, it may very well not be finished yet...
    :slight_smile:
     
    #8 machalel, Nov 23, 2015
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