The Batch of Espresso Stout I did yesterday about 3:30 started really kicking up some serious work today about same time.My air lock was filled about half way but I was 3/4 of of inch on bucket line of 5 gallons,my Issue is my airlock bubbled the water out and I had the NEW airlock sanitized and ready,so I immediately decided to switch airlocks to get back on track,(NOW I KNEW THIS was a major Undertaking as getting Oxygen in the room back in the bucket but I thought I hasd better risk it?? Problem or maybe I got Lucky? Larry Thanks for all yalls help,your all a bunch of great folks!!
Larry, instead of that dang airlock you should have used a dang blow-off tube. When you brew a high gravity beer you can usually expect an over-flow of krausen bubbles, and you should be prepared for it by using a blow-off tube instead of the airlock. If you don't know what a blow-off tube is, here's a link to a search that I did to explain the different ways to create one: https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/search/34091180/?q='blow+off+tube'&t=post&o=date&g=1&c[title_only]=1&c[node]=8 P.S. Your beer will be okay. You didn't let that much air into your bucket.
Nothing to worry about - the same forces blowing the water out of your airlock is keeping oxygen from getting in. Actually, during fermentation, it's not the end of the world to have a bit get in - the yeast will use it up. And pre-fermentation, it's recommended - search aeration. Anyways, like they said, for high gravity beers, use a blowoff instead of airlock for the first few days. Personally, I routinely brew in the 1.070 - 1.075 SG range and the only time I really needed a blowoff was when I used yeast nutrient in the starter and then again in the boil. Man that thing took off like a rocket - fermentation was done in just a couple days on that one. Since then I don't bother with nutrient in the boil.
Thanks Mother~Goose point very well taken,thanks to all of you,I read everyonme!!What a great school of Learning here!My Best to all,Larry
