MrEcted1

Recipes 

I just did my first batch of brew on sunday (nut brown ale). On monday the yeast was very active, today the yeast was pretty active this morning but has toned down a bit by this evening. My question is... I have noticed that there is very little head on my brew now.. is this normal? (this is my first, i've probably annoyed most of you with all these questions). I just seem to remember seeing pictures of beer after 4 to 5 days fermentation and there was still some head on it... mine is almost non-existant.

Just curious,
thanks.

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Primary: Porter Potty (oaked porter)
Secondary:
Bottled:
Bottled (Drinking):
Next: IIPA

last batch review(Schwheat (wheat))

Appear: 3.5/5.
Mouthfeel: 3.5/5
Carb/Head: 3/5
Taste: 2.5/5
Overall: 3/5

An overall decent beer but it has too much of a banana character, I think it's because of fermenting at too high of a temp. Tasted better as it aged, but far from perfect.

Brewsmith

Recipes 

It's fine, assuming your temperatures are in the correct ranges. If you really want to find out, use a hydrometer and check the gravity. My guess is that everything is just fine. Some brews ferment fast over two days, others take a week or more. I wouldn't be in a hurry to rack it. Give it at least a week.

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MrEcted1

Recipes 

I had a little temperature hike this morning... the temp was about 80 degrees or so, but i'm not sure how long it was in that range. I was able to stabalize the temperature though... I hope that's not the problem.

__________________
Primary: Porter Potty (oaked porter)
Secondary:
Bottled:
Bottled (Drinking):
Next: IIPA

last batch review(Schwheat (wheat))

Appear: 3.5/5.
Mouthfeel: 3.5/5
Carb/Head: 3/5
Taste: 2.5/5
Overall: 3/5

An overall decent beer but it has too much of a banana character, I think it's because of fermenting at too high of a temp. Tasted better as it aged, but far from perfect.

Bopper

Recipes 

It shouldn't be a problem. I just brewed the Nut Brown NB kit myself...it did the same thing. The yeast that comes in the kit yeilds a very active fermentation. As Brewsmith said, be sure you don't rack early.

MrEcted1

Recipes 

So you guys don't think I should rack in the secondary fermentor? Since it's not near as active now wouldn't it be safer since there is less air-space (I will rack to a 5g carbow)?

__________________
Primary: Porter Potty (oaked porter)
Secondary:
Bottled:
Bottled (Drinking):
Next: IIPA

last batch review(Schwheat (wheat))

Appear: 3.5/5.
Mouthfeel: 3.5/5
Carb/Head: 3/5
Taste: 2.5/5
Overall: 3/5

An overall decent beer but it has too much of a banana character, I think it's because of fermenting at too high of a temp. Tasted better as it aged, but far from perfect.

Walker

Recipes 

Don't rack it yet. You brewed on sunday, so (if I were you) I would let it sit in the primary until Sunday. Give it a full week.

-walker

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MrEcted1

Recipes 

Cool, thanks. You guys have been most helpful throughout this project.

__________________
Primary: Porter Potty (oaked porter)
Secondary:
Bottled:
Bottled (Drinking):
Next: IIPA

last batch review(Schwheat (wheat))

Appear: 3.5/5.
Mouthfeel: 3.5/5
Carb/Head: 3/5
Taste: 2.5/5
Overall: 3/5

An overall decent beer but it has too much of a banana character, I think it's because of fermenting at too high of a temp. Tasted better as it aged, but far from perfect.

Bopper

Recipes 

Being that it is your first batch, I wouldn't use a secondary fermenter at all. Yes, using a secondary will allow for the beer to age and clarify, however, you are also running the risk of contamination. Personally, I would take a hydrometer reading on Sunday and Monday. If it doesn't change (I don't expect that it would) then I would rack strait to bottles or keg and age for 3 to 4 weeks. You may skip the hydrometor reading if you want but I would definitely not bottle until Sunday. It is better to wait a bit too long than to rack early. Even if it doesnt look like it, there could be more going on in that fermenter than you think.

Once you bottle, you will notice the beer will get better with a bit aging....the young/"green" taste will round out. It will continue to improve for months.

MrEcted1

Recipes 

Thanks for the tip Bopper.

I'm a bit gutsy =) so I will probably try to rack to the secondary fermentor anyways. I understand the risks involved. I have been practicing racking between carboys using water (siphoning and all that... got an auto-siphon for this job). I will be extremely careful! (I probably over-sanitize if that's possible, so I don't imagine that would be an issue)

I definitely will age it in bottles for a couple weeks like you suggested!

__________________
Primary: Porter Potty (oaked porter)
Secondary:
Bottled:
Bottled (Drinking):
Next: IIPA

last batch review(Schwheat (wheat))

Appear: 3.5/5.
Mouthfeel: 3.5/5
Carb/Head: 3/5
Taste: 2.5/5
Overall: 3/5

An overall decent beer but it has too much of a banana character, I think it's because of fermenting at too high of a temp. Tasted better as it aged, but far from perfect.