LyndenP

Recipes 

I Just popped opened the lid on my fermenter to check the Gravity. There was lots of foam and krausen on top. The reading i got was like 1.010- 011 with a s.g. of 1.050. Indicating this beer is finished? I still have lots of airlock activity. a bubble every 20 seconds or so. This beer fermented like a yeast orgy for 3 and a half days, with me having to take the airlock out and put in a makeshift blow off tube. Lots of stuff bubbled out of the tube into the pan of water. My question is if this beer is done (or close) or if the gas escaping is just co2 coming out of solution. I know i need to take gravity readings but im pretty sure its at its estimated FG. (according to beersmith) I dont know this is only my third beer so im a noob. Any help is appreciated. Just dont hate on a noob.
Lynden

Dr Vorlauf

Recipes 

You need to wait. The airlock activity tells you almost nothing about how far along you are in the ferment I would let it sit in the primary for at least another week then rack to a secondary for and leave for 2 - 3 weeks. Make a few SG measurements over a 3 day period. If they all the same its done.

I have stopped using secondaries for the most part and just leave my ales in the primary for 3+ weeks.

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Bert

Recipes 

Secondaries aren't really recommended for wits as cloudiness is part of the style.

I brewed one last week and plan on bottling after two weeks in the primary (as long as the gravity look alright.)

PseudoChef

Recipes 

Just give it three weeks or so total. You'll be fine. Patience, grasshoppa'

Dr Vorlauf

Recipes 

Correct. It has been so long since I have used a secondary that I forgot about the wit style.

Matter of fact I just brewed a Belgian Wheat yesterday. Have no intention of taking it out of the primary other than to bottle.

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Kai

Recipes 

If you still had a krausen, then chances are your SG was still dropping. It sounds pretty close to your estimated FG, but it might just keep dropping below it a bit. Either way, I'd go with the advice here to let it sit a total of around three weeks in primary before bottling.

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malkore

Recipes 

some yeast strains don't drop their krausen...they just thicken up.

+1 to leave it another 7-10 days, then bottle or keg.

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Malkore
Primary: English Mild
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hopsalot

Recipes 

+1 on patience

slim chillingsworth

Recipes 

really no secondary on a wit? i understand the logic of it being a hazy style, but still most of what i've read has a secondary ferm. recommendation.

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Catfish

Recipes 

I would say no secondary for any style unless you are adding a fruit or a second yeast (like brett or bugs) or if you are bulk aging more than one month. The old knowledge (aka the first printing of How to Brew) was all geared toward using a secondary, but experience has shown that for most beers it is unneccessary. To any new brewer serious about their brewing I would recommend buying a new copy of How to Brew every brewery/ brewpub I have been in has a dog-earred copy. Sorry for being long winded.

good brewing

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