Recent content by skipper

I gave up. Neither of the two starters every showed any activity. The liquid is a couple colors of brown. Shaking it does nothing. I drove to my somewhat local brew store and bought two new vials. Started one of them the same as before. What a difference! That batch has a nice healthy layer...

I made the starter - which you all are correct is very easy to do. It has been 24 hours since I added the yeast. Still looks the same. Can't tell that there is really much activity. Can't tell that any light colored yeast has settled out, just some brown. I had two vials of yeast and started...

I added lemon and GoP to BeerSmith by clicking the Add Misc button under ingredients, then clicking the New button on the window that opens. Enter what you need.

Thanks for the replies and the information about yeast. I have never used a starter before. So, this will be something new. I found a link to White Labs in another thread about making a starter, so I will use that as a guide. I also have a bag with the label: DME STARTER - LIGHT 4 OZ which I...

I have an order being shipped and the liquid yeast is supposed to be packed with a cool pack. However, it will be in shipping for 5 or 6 days which I suspect will be in a hot truck or warehouse along the way. Question is, what impact will that have on the yeast before it gets here? How do I know...

Thanks. I may not have been clear about the thermometer. It read lower than the actual temp meaning I was up to 10F higher during mashing than I should have been. Instead of 152F+-, I was likely 160F+.

I have an Oatmeal Stout in secondary carboy. This after 10 days in primary and no activity in airlock - though gravity reading had not quite reached expected final. About a week after being in the secondary, a krausen began to form and fermentation definitely going on. Still going one week...

Two more weeks have passed. Gravity is still at 1.030. What are my options?

Today I transferred to secondary. Gravity was down to 1.030. I suppose time is my ally on this one.

Gravity check will have to wait until I return to NC from CA. About a week. I will post.

Return from near dead. I moved the primary to a 70F space. I twisted it gently back and forth several times as well to stir it a bit. This was two days ago. Today, fermentation is lively at about 5-6 bubbles in the airlock per minute. I will check the gravity in a week.

I am no expert but have had what sounds like a similar situation. Had a keg full of brew that was not good tasting after a couple weeks in the keg - had an off-taste to it. I almost decided to dump it. But, I set it aside and forgot about it for several more weeks. Tried it again (cold) and it...

An update..... Now almost two weeks later and there is still fermentation. The airlock bubbles maybe twice an hour but it is still active. I have not checked the gravity. Though I wanted to move to secondary, I am going to have to leave it for at least another week since I have to travel. But...

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Good advice. For me, the use of a hop bag made for a lot less frustration when straining the wort into the fermenter. You did not mention it, but if you are not using one, that would be a good change to implement.

Interesting fermentation going here! An update.... Yesterday, I pulled the airlock, quickly covered the stopper, and shook the heck out of the bucket. (There was a nice krausen(?) on top.) Of course this caused a rush of CO2 when unstopping but immediately re-inserted the airlock. I pressed...