Aeration

Just a word about aeration. I just purchased one of those stirrers that connects to a drill. This weekend wass my first opportunity to use it. I brewed up a pretty heavy batch dwith 10lbs of extract in five gallons with two lbs of specialty grains. The starting gravity was pretty high.

Needless to say I aerated with the drill attachment. The pitch temp was 62F and the yeast was rehydrated SA-04.

This morning at less than 12 hours from the pitch, the temp is at 66F and there is a good inch and a half of nice looking Krauzen and a lot of air-lock activity.

I can't say that I have ever had one take off like that at such a low temp so for now, I'll attribute a good part of the success thus far to the superior aeration with the drill attachment aerator, now highly recommended.

S-04 tends to take off as well. My last batch used it and it was done in 2 days.

I also have used it many times but never a take off like this at such a lower temp.