No airlock activity. Has this happened to you ?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by Losangelesbrewer, Jul 3, 2017.

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  1. Losangelesbrewer

    Losangelesbrewer Initiate (0) Jul 3, 2017 California

    So I just brewed my first batch of home-brew yesterday morning and the process was just as fulfilling as I assumed it would be. As far as I know I followed the directions to the best of my ability and I think everything went well, only issue there is a small chance I pitched the yeast at too warm of a temperature. I think I pitched it in the high 70s, maybe low 80s, maybe 82 degrees at the warmest. It was an amber ale with dry yeast used in the process I didn't hydrate the yeast or anything. I put the fermenter in a dark closet that maintains about a 65-70 degree temperature inside. Long story short I see no activity in the airlock and we are about 31 hours past the brew. The entire closet smells like finished beer already but the airlock is showing no signs and the bucket is completely sealed.

    Any thoughts ? or opinions on what to do next ?
     
    #1 Losangelesbrewer, Jul 3, 2017
  2. JrGtr

    JrGtr Pooh-Bah (1,775) Apr 13, 2006 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    Should probably post this in the Homebrew forum / section. It'll get moved soon enough.
    First thing, to quote Charlie Papazian, is "relax, Don't worry, have a (home)brew.
    Presuming you're using an Ale Pail or the equivalent, most likely you've got beer, just the CO2 found another path out of the bucket. Either it snuck past the base of the airlock or the lid isn't completely sealed. What I would recommend is to take a flashlight, put it against the top of the lid (or against the opposite side) you should see the liquid line in the bucket. Above it you should see some foam (or you can take off the airlock and look in the hole; as last resort CAREFULLY take off the lid) You;ll see either foam on the surface or maybe gunk stuck to the side. This is proof something happened.
    Couple things: 1) next time, do your best to get the temp of your wort down at least into the 60s. It's better for the beer overall; you'll probably end up with some off flavors from things getting too warm.
    2) The hardest thing to learn for new brewers is patience. Once you confirm something is happening in there JUST WALK AWAY. Leave it alone for at least a couple weeks.
    3) finally, there is a chance that the yeast aren't doing anything. If so, give them another day or 2, something may start up. If not, still don't worry, if your sanitation is on par, your wort is still fine, go to your homebrew shop (LHBS) and pick up another packet of dry yeast. Sprinkle it on top and reseal.
     
    #2 JrGtr, Jul 3, 2017
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  3. Prep8611

    Prep8611 Savant (1,208) Aug 22, 2014 New Jersey

    Yeast will survive and be fine. Expect activity within 24 hours.
     
    #3 Prep8611, Jul 3, 2017
  4. VikeMan

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

    82F + Closet that smells like beer = Your Beer has probably fermented.

    How do you know that?
     
    #4 VikeMan, Jul 3, 2017
    Prep8611 likes this.
  5. Losangelesbrewer

    Losangelesbrewer Initiate (0) Jul 3, 2017 California

    I put 2 strips of tape around the lid, but you are right maybe its not sealed which explains the beer smell
     
    #5 Losangelesbrewer, Jul 4, 2017
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