I am having issues with fermenting

Whipskipper · 02-04-2012, 03:18 AM

Hello this is my first post and I am very new to the brewing process. I am on my second batch of beer. I am currently brewing Coopers austrailian Pale Ale it came in a kit with everything I needed. So long story short I pitched my dry yeast that came with kit on sunday jan 29th. the temp of wort was around 76 when I pitched. My OG was 1.040 I have not seen any activity in my airlock what so ever I verified lid was on super tight as well. So today i opened up to take a look I see a slight scum line but nothing on the lid like last time. I took a hydrometer reading and had 1.016. So that tells me something I would just feel better if I saw some bubbles like all the videos out there. I am keeping fermenter in a closet that is around 68deg. Should I keep waiting or is it getting infected. The directions say just wait a week but I am not sure my last batch took 3 days to show sighns and came out great. I am going on 6 days in fermenter now. Thanks for the help.

**starrfish** · 02-04-2012, 03:26 AM

wait another few days and take a reading, your close coopers kits finish in that range. if still 1016 you are safe to bottle. airlock is not a sign of fermentation. I would say wait 2 solid weeks to bottle to let the yeast clean up. you will be happier in the long run. you will get a bit of a smoother beer.

I have a bucket that bubbles and bubbles I have another that never really bubbles best I can figure it's the black grommet around airlock that isn't a completely tight seal. but have never had an infection so no worries. ( I did recently test my theory with a spray of starsan and yes I'm blowing a small amount of CO2 from the gasket) I have 2 sizes of gaskets and I think I may have switched air locks on this one.

Mparsons327 · 02-04-2012, 03:26 AM

The slightest air leak will cause your airlock to not bubble. I would say don't worry it'll be fine.

Whipskipper · 02-04-2012, 03:34 AM

hey thanks guys for easing my mind I will just let it ferment until two weeks and take another reading. I guess that book is right relax dont worry have a home brew.

**starrfish** · 02-04-2012, 03:45 AM

It's my brewing bible! any other questions feel free to ask. I posted one tonight about a 2nd Krausen~ haven't seen that since I started brewing in '93!

every brew is a learning experience!

Whipskipper · 02-07-2012, 03:14 AM

So I am on day 8 of fermentation I took another hydro reading tonight and it has gone down a little to 1012 I still never visually saw any fermentation action the temp gas gone up slightly to 74f. I only have a scum line of.5 in compared to my last batch this really looks like a dud I also used the brew enhancer 2 this time. So with my hydro readings is that a deffinate confirmation that the process is working? I think I will leave I. Fermenter one more week even though directions say 7 days my last batch bottomed out at 1008. Thanks guys for the help

prpromin · 02-07-2012, 03:49 AM

You're all good. Each batch is different, but you made beer. Letting it sit at this point is the right thing to do. As others have said, even a slight leak can prevent airlock bubbles, so don't sweat it. Leave it for awhile longer and check the gravity again. If it remains stable, bottle it up.

I should also add that your beer is no dud. Fermentation happened. Also, those printed directions kind of suck (in 99% of all kits). These boards are way more helpful.

**RM-MN** · 02-07-2012, 10:47 AM

Quote:

even though directions say 7 days

Lots of kits have those instructions. They are wrong. Leave your beer in the fermenter a minimum of 2 weeks and you will have better beer. Leave it 3 weeks and it will be better yet and will mature quicker too.

Whipskipper · 03-26-2012, 04:03 PM

So the beer is all done and am currently enjoying it thought I would give a follow up to this post. I ended up leaving it in fermenter for three weeks then bottled and conditioned for another three weeks. Beer tastes great I like it better than my first batch it is a nice everyday drinking beer good flavor. I am not sure on the actual alcahol content it seems to not be much. The only thing that disappoints me is the lack of a head when I pour the beer but that really is no big deal. My only problem is I need to get a system down where I don't run out of beer while my next batch is in the fermenter. I currently brewed a Sierra Nevada recipe I got from Arctic Brewing In Anchorage. It was a lot more fun to brew using grains and hops.