Fermentation - Can it happen in 1 night?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by mattvaletudo, Aug 13, 2012.

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  1. mattvaletudo

    mattvaletudo Initiate (0) Jul 11, 2011 Illinois

    so we brewed a black ipa yesterday, pitched the yeast, and it appears to have bubbled over since the carboy is sticky on the outside and the airlock is too. the temp was right around 75 when we pitched the dry yeast and the hydrometer read 14% abv so we had a lot of fermentables. I figured on a violent fermentation but there is no activity. I know it can take a couple of days to really get going, but did the yeast already do its thing in the first night? is that even possible? do we need to re-pitch new yeast? input is as always appreciated
     
  2. VikeMan

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

    Yes, it's possible. Particularly at 75F, which is really too warm for most yeast strains. Or rather, the yeast love that temperature, but you'll most likely get elevated esters and (possibly) fusels in you beer. BTW, hydrometers don't really measure ABV. You want to be looking at the specific gravity scale.

    Edit: just because you're not seeing visible signs of fermentation at this point doesn't mean that it was finished, or that it is not continuing. Wait a week and take a gravity reading. Then take another 2-3 days later. If it hasn't moved and is in the right neighborhood, then attenuation is done.
     
  3. mattvaletudo

    mattvaletudo Initiate (0) Jul 11, 2011 Illinois

    What would be the ideal temp to pitch? we just went off the directions. I've heard from some other guys that you can re-pitch if it isnr fermenting
     
  4. jivex5k

    jivex5k Initiate (0) Apr 13, 2011 Florida

    It depends on your yeast strain, it should say in the instructions or you can google the yeast strain to see the optimal temp.
    Most ales say from 55F - 70F give or take, and you generally wanna get it close to the colder side to prevent unwanted yeast character from coming through.

    But vike said above yeast LOVE hotter temps and will work faster when they are in a hotter environment. But this will produce unwanted flavors and more fusel alcohol which is linked to headaches and a hot alcoholic taste.

    If your fermentation is stuck you can attempt to "rouse" the yeast by swirling it around, just be careful not to splash and oxidate the hell out of your wort.

    Not sure about throwing more yeast in it, someone smarter than me will probably know that answer.
     
  5. VikeMan

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

    Yes, if you get a stuck fermentation due to an unhealthy/inadequate pitch of yeast, you can pitch more. But in your case, there's nothing to suggest that it's stuck. This is more than likely a non-problem. So again... wait several days, and then take a gravity reading.
     
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