brewed a IIPA a week ago yesterday. The bulk of the fermentation was done @ 65-70 but as fermentation winds down (bubble or two / minute) I am fermenting around 58ish. Couple questions even at this low temp can I expect full attenuation? As I noted the yeast seems to be still working. And 2, will yeast still do their normal clean up routine at this lower temp? TIA
It's better to start cool and finish warm. 1098 ferments fine at 60F ambient in the beginning. Not sure about the end since I warm it up after 5 days of cool fermentation. Also, bubbles from the airlock indicate the release of co2 which can happen for a week after the beer is done fermenting.
I could do that. I typically don't like moving the bucket for fear of oxidizing the beer, but my heating pad shit the bed which put me in this predicament.
A simple light bulb* will do wonders for heating a fermenter. If you put it in a closet (or large box) it's easy to raise temps. If determined to not touch the fermenter you can make a tent over the bucket with a towel with a bulb underneath. And 2, will yeast still do their normal clean up routine at this lower temp? With a temp in the 50s you are flirting with a No here. *simple . . . as in: no fluorescents/leds
Does your bucket suffer 'suck back' when you move it? I have been able to relocate my bucket without experiencing 'suck back'. Cheers!
Hey Jack, I get suck back w or w/out moving. Every time temp dives, just need to keep a close eye on it
I have seen posts from folks where they state that sometimes the liquid will be 'sucked in' when they use 3-piece airlock. The S-type when properly filled should not introduce liquid back into the beer. Regardless of airlock type there will be air introduced into the fermenter when a 'suck back' condition occurs; when the temperature crashes for example. I have not noticed any 'suck back' when I have relocated my buckets (e.g., moving it from the floor to a table). I have never experienced any drastic temperature changes in the area where I homebrew so that condition for a 'suck back' does not exist for me. For folks who like to cold crash their beer (I personally do not do this), 'suck back' will occur. Cheers!
