Wierd Fermentation, or standard? First batch

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by Boozecamel, May 8, 2013.

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  1. Boozecamel

    Boozecamel Initiate (0) Feb 25, 2011 Canada (BC)

    Made my first ever batch on Saturday an IPA using Wyeast 1056. I pitched a 1L starter that had been going for about 15hrs. OG 1.049, was lower than planned, 3.5 gallons.

    I had planned on putting it in a better bottle, but was missing the bung, so I put it in a bucket. Being new to the whole process I was curious to watch the fermentation, so a better bottle would have been good. Anyhow 24 hrs go by, and nada from the airlock. I figure its taking its time to get going, but check the lid to make sure its not leaking, and all seems sealed.

    48 hours go by, still no action in the airlock, I sneak a peek, and it looks pretty bubbly in there, but then again I aerated the hell out of it prior to pitching (1 min oxygen). Hmm, so I taped up the bucket to make sure no gas could get out except from the airlock.

    70 hrs in and still no airlock action, and I decide I need to go buy some new yeast to pitch in the evening. As a last minute check I did a sg check and it turns out that it was 1.006! I guess it managed to ferment that much in the 48 hours before taping the bucket up. Was actually tasty. A little rough around the edges.

    Standard? I would have relaxed and had a homebrew, if I had some.
     
    #1 Boozecamel, May 8, 2013
  2. GeckoPunk

    GeckoPunk Initiate (0) Jul 29, 2012 Connecticut

    At the rate you're going, it sounds like you'll have plenty of amazing homebrew by the end of the month after some bottle conditioning, or sooner if you plan on keggin'! It'll probably be ready before then, but I think you'll be more happy with it in June...

    Congrats on the fast 'n furious fermentation! :sunglasses:
     
    #2 GeckoPunk, May 8, 2013
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  3. poobaca

    poobaca Initiate (0) Apr 23, 2013 New York

    how big was the fermenting bucket? I'm still new to home brewing myself, but would imagine that if you have allot of head space left in the bucket you may not see as much gas escaping. And hey tasting good is the most important thing so congrats!
     
    #3 poobaca, May 8, 2013
  4. Boozecamel

    Boozecamel Initiate (0) Feb 25, 2011 Canada (BC)

    Thanks, was a 6 gallon bucket, so I think your right.
     
    #4 Boozecamel, May 8, 2013
  5. VikeMan

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

    Airlocks are not a good quantitative indicator of fermentation activity, for multiple reasons. One factor (but not the only one) is degree of airtight-ness. I only mention this so that you don't tape up the lid on your second batch and expect to have a reliable quantitative indicator.
     
    #5 VikeMan, May 8, 2013
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  6. epk

    epk Pundit (849) Jun 10, 2008 New Jersey

    I wish we could sticky this and other little tips at the top of the forum. I feel like we all repeat ourselves a thousand times. I'm sure we would still have to say it though, lol.

    First time I heard of people taping lids though. To add to what Vikeman said, airtight-ness is not really a necessity either. A blanket of Co2 is created regardless - stick your face in there next time you open the bucket :stuck_out_tongue:
     
    #6 epk, May 8, 2013
  7. premierpro

    premierpro Savant (1,060) Mar 21, 2009 Michigan

    My guess is you did not have enough liquid in your air lock.
     
    #7 premierpro, May 8, 2013
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  8. GeckoPunk

    GeckoPunk Initiate (0) Jul 29, 2012 Connecticut

    Perhaps your yeast had indegestion problems and were unable to fart CO2, haha... :stuck_out_tongue:

    [​IMG][​IMG]
     
    #8 GeckoPunk, May 8, 2013
  9. AlCaponeJunior

    AlCaponeJunior Grand Pooh-Bah (3,452) May 21, 2010 Texas
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I have a bucket that appears to seal tight, but obviously doesn't, because I never get airlock bubbling out of it. The beer comes out fine anyway. I don't even bother watching it anymore. Well, I ferment in a freezer with controller at my brother's house, so obviously I don't watch it at all. Patience. Sounds like you'll have good beer. Leave it at least 2 weeks minimum time in the bucket before bottling. I generally do 2-3 weeks (usually closer to three) for standard ales of reasonable gravity.
     
    #9 AlCaponeJunior, May 8, 2013
  10. premierpro

    premierpro Savant (1,060) Mar 21, 2009 Michigan

    Stand back,she's going to blow!
     
    #10 premierpro, May 8, 2013
  11. Boozecamel

    Boozecamel Initiate (0) Feb 25, 2011 Canada (BC)

    Thanks for everyones tips. I'll put the tape away, never to be seen again.
     
    #11 Boozecamel, May 9, 2013
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