34 days and still bubbling.

Mrcrowley269 · 02-03-2012, 11:03 PM

Started a brew on new years eve. The brew started to bubble new years day. There was some blow off, but my major question is on a 5 gallon batch, bubbling for 34 days and still bubbling every 40-50 seconds. Is that. Normal? I did the recipe, should have been 1.071 but added about 3/4 more left over sugar. Also, does a longer ferment usually mean a higher ABV? I have kept the carboy under 70 degrees. Mainly around 65 degrees.

**NordeastBrewer77** · 02-03-2012, 11:07 PM

airlock bubbles mean nothing. the airlock is a co2 vent and can bubble for numerous reasons. fermentation being only one of the reasons. take hydrometer reading, write down the number. on sunday take another reading, if they're the same, your beer's done.

**BBL_Brewer** · 02-03-2012, 11:10 PM

I can't tell you why, but some of mine do that once in a while. I just brewed up a batch coming up on 3 weeks ago. I have six buckets full, and one of them is still bubbling almost once a minute. Not a peep out of the rest of em. I'm sure the beer is fine though. I don't think it will have an impact on FG or the resultant ABV.

Mrcrowley269 · 02-03-2012, 11:30 PM

My hydro shows 1.054...that seems very high. It was fermenting good, and slowed down normally. There is a big yeast cake as I did an all grain and used a hop bag to reduce Trub.

**Dan** · 02-03-2012, 11:40 PM

1.054 is pretty high after 34 days of fermentation. Can you post your recipe including yeast used and mash temp? That would help.

**NordeastBrewer77** · 02-03-2012, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrcrowley269

My hydro shows 1.054...that seems very high. It was fermenting good, and slowed down normally. There is a big yeast cake as I did an all grain and used a hop bag to reduce Trub.

ruh roh, either your hydro's off or somethings fishy. have you checked your hydro in 60 degree water?

and yeah, i agree with Dan, post your recipe and process and maybe we can figure this out.

Mrcrowley269 · 02-03-2012, 11:51 PM

17.5 lb Belgian pilsner
1 lb caramunch
.44 lb biscuit
.31 lb aromatic
.19 lb chocolate

1bottle dark candi syrup
About 1 lb rock candi

1.25 styiran golden
.25 styrain golden
.25 haullertauer
.25 styiran golden
.25 haullertauer

Wlp530 as a starter

Mash about 140 for 90 minutes
Sparge at 170

Mrcrowley269 · 02-03-2012, 11:56 PM

Hydro may be off...it is old and read 1.000 as a fg for my last brew. But that would have made it low.

**NordeastBrewer77** · 02-04-2012, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrcrowley269

17.5 lb Belgian pilsner
1 lb caramunch
.44 lb biscuit
.31 lb aromatic
.19 lb chocolate

1bottle dark candi syrup
About 1 lb rock candi

1.25 styiran golden
.25 styrain golden
.25 haullertauer
.25 styiran golden
.25 haullertauer

Wlp530 as a starter

Mash about 140 for 90 minutes
Sparge at 170

could be a mash issue. i think you'd want to do a two step infusion with continental pilsner malt.
also, when did you add the simple sugars. it can help to add them during fermentation to let the yeast have some maltose first.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrcrowley269

Hydro may be off...it is old and read 1.000 as a fg for my last brew. But that would have made it low.

could the paper in the hydro be sliding around? sounds like that's likely with what you're describing. hydro's are cheap, maybe get a new on and try it out.

Mrcrowley269 · 02-04-2012, 12:06 AM

But tasting it, it doesn't taste much like alcohol...could that be because of all the grain? It doesn't really taste bad, just a little different. Not much of a alcohol bite like my 1st two...there is a pretty large yeast cake. Brew went in clean and used a hops bag...should I try more yeast? I have a little left over, but it has been sitting it the same wort, had some left over. I may be wrong about the alcohol though. Caught a little buzz on the sample.