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05-09-2009, 12:58 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Vermont
Posts: 3
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Fermentation ended early
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I am brewing a belgian pale ale. Fermentation started within the first 4 hours, yet ended after only 24 hours. Question if this is normal or is there something wrong with my brew.
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05-09-2009, 01:02 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 1,044
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What do you mean by "ended", have you checked your gravity readings or are you talking about airlock activity?
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05-09-2009, 01:02 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Rapid City, South Dakota
Posts: 2,887
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IB4TR (In before the Revvy)
I'm just going to channel the force a bit here... Yes... Yes, I see....
You're assuming that fermentation has finished because your airlock has stopped bubbling. Hmm... This is a poor indication, although there is some chance that you are correct. If you plan on using a secondary (go ahead and search, see how many of us just leave the beer in primary for 4-6 weeks skipping secondary altogether, and how delicious our beer is) at least wait until your hydrometer tells you that fermentation is complete. If you get the same reading over a 3 day period of time, then fermentation likely has actually finished.
Your airlock will try and fool you. Do not be tricked! It can sense your fear. Especially (but not exclusively) if you're brewing in a bucket, you may never see bubbles at all, but you can be sure fermentation is taking place or has finished when your hydrometer says so.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Catt22
I would never use a dead mouse in my beer. It's much better to use live ones. You could probably just steep a dead one, but live ones must be mashed. Actually, smashed and mashed would be best.
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05-09-2009, 01:05 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Bradley, IL
Posts: 669
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Quote:
Originally Posted by llazy_llama
IB4TR (In before the Revvy)
I'm just going to channel the force a bit here... Yes... Yes, I see....
You're assuming that fermentation has finished because your airlock has stopped bubbling. Hmm... This is a poor indication, although there is some chance that you are correct. If you plan on using a secondary (go ahead and search, see how many of us just leave the beer in primary for 4-6 weeks skipping secondary altogether, and how delicious our beer is) at least wait until your hydrometer tells you that fermentation is complete. If you get the same reading over a 3 day period of time, then fermentation likely has actually finished.
Your airlock will try and fool you. Do not be tricked! It can sense your fear. Especially (but not exclusively) if you're brewing in a bucket, you may never see bubbles at all, but you can be sure fermentation is taking place or has finished when your hydrometer says so.
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+1 on all of your wise words.
__________________
Red Light Brewery
Drinking: Magic Hat #9 (clone)
Primary: Air
Past Brews: Haw Creek IPA, None More Black Vanilla Stout, Cranbeery, Dark Thunder (Scot Stout), Gaelic Ale (clone), Nacirema APA, Bee Funky IPA, Cream Ale.
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05-09-2009, 01:07 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Rapid City, South Dakota
Posts: 2,887
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Quote:
Originally Posted by histo320
+1 on all of your wise words.
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They are not my words, but the words of generation after generation of brewer who came before me. I serve only to channel them.
Okay, Star Wars nerd kick over. I'll be normal.
I blame the beer I've been drinking tonight.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Catt22
I would never use a dead mouse in my beer. It's much better to use live ones. You could probably just steep a dead one, but live ones must be mashed. Actually, smashed and mashed would be best.
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05-09-2009, 01:08 AM
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#6
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Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: "Detroitish" Michigan
Posts: 36,054
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LOL...I love it IB4TR, EH?!?!?! 
I was at the gym. 
Logjumper, if you are equating the lack or airlock activity with fermentation stopping... Don't and airlock is a vent, not a gauge...
Read this...
http://blogs.homebrewtalk.com/Revvy/Think_evaluation_before_action/
__________________
Revvy's one of the cool reverends. He has a Harley and a t-shirt that says on the back "If you can read this, the bitch was Raptured. - Madman
I gotta tell ya, just between us girls, that Revvy is HOT. Very tall, gorgeous grey hair and a terrific smile. He's very good looking in person, with a charismatic personality... he drives like a ****ing maniac! - YooperBrew
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05-09-2009, 01:31 AM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Vermont
Posts: 3
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Thanks for all of the help. I thought that the airlock was the main sign that the fermentation has ended. Boy was I wrong. Thanks
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05-09-2009, 01:47 AM
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#8
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Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: "Detroitish" Michigan
Posts: 36,054
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It's the most common new brewer mistake there is, we have probably a dozen threads a day like this...and the answer is the same....
Here's more info on why airlocks shouldn't be used that way.
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/1217925-post3.html
__________________
Revvy's one of the cool reverends. He has a Harley and a t-shirt that says on the back "If you can read this, the bitch was Raptured. - Madman
I gotta tell ya, just between us girls, that Revvy is HOT. Very tall, gorgeous grey hair and a terrific smile. He's very good looking in person, with a charismatic personality... he drives like a ****ing maniac! - YooperBrew
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