So I brewed my 1st batch on Monday (15th). Fermenting a 2.5 gallon batch in a 6 gallon bucket. It started bubbling the next day. I took the lid off for a gravity reading on Thursday, because I never took one after brewing, and because I'm really impatient because its my 1st batch. It never started bubbling again. I don't think its a big deal because it had been going for 3 days, and also it would have a lot of head space to fill with CO2 even if it is still fermenting, but wanted to see what people thought. I plan on leaving for another week and then bottling. Also will the big yeast cake on top settle to the bottom after ferment, or will I be siphoning from underneath it at bottling? Thanks in advance.
Take two readings 2-3 days apart to find out if it's done. If the gravity hasn't moved, and is in the ballpark of what you expected, attenuation is done.
Well I never did an original reading, so not quite sure on "expected," but its a pale ale (Cincinnati Pale from How to Brew) , I'm sure I could come up with a guestimate based on ingredients. So pulling the bucket top for a few readings doesn't risk oxygenation, right? Also I have tons of fruit aromas specifically bannana which I think is odd since my ferment has mostly been at 62. Just my yeast choice? WLP008 East Coast Ale, I did use a whole vial in a 3 gallon batch
Was it an extract batch? Assuming your volume of finished wort was correct, your gravity should have been very close to theoretical. Well...sure it does. It's a tradeoff. But unless you know your process very well, I'd take the readings.
Understand your impatience and desire to check the gravity -- but in the future I wouldn't touch it for 2 weeks. Let it ferment and watch the airlock to judge if it's on track. I also would also try to better match the ferment vessel to your batch size. That much head space is just not good if you can avoid. As far as the yeast -- it should mostly settle to the bottom within 2 weeks of ferment start --you might still have a little scum/foam on top. As always -- RDWHAHB.....
