Almost no head space in primary for cold Kolsch fermentation

petep1980 · Nov 27, 2009

Somehow my SG came out way high so I diluted a little. I also didn't decant my starter. I have very little head space in a 6 gallon carboy for Wyeast 2565 Kolsch yeast. My fermentation temp is 63°F. I didn't put an airlock on, just a piece of aluminum foil. Does this yeast typically generate a large krausen?

My SG was 1.050 btw.

khiddy · Nov 27, 2009

My last 2565 ferment last mionth did generate a bit of a krausen, not explosive, but definitely enough to notice and leave a 2-inch ring. I started a batch this last week using some of the yeast cake from that first batch, and it currently shows a slightly smaller krausen, about 1-1/2 inch thick, so it seems to be consistent.

I'd rig yourself up a blowoff tube.

petep1980 · Nov 27, 2009

Ha, I was in bozo mode. I just siphoned some out into a 1 gallon jug to ferment there. Now I have plenty of room.

petep1980 · Nov 30, 2009

Good thing I made some room because even with 3" before the bung hole I still had a ferment over. It wasn't super aggresive, but it was big.

I'm stoked too. I used an older package of yeast, but a stir starter and it went from 1.048 to 1.016 in 4 days. 1.016 is my typical extract FG. I did this all at 63°F. Now I'm going to warm it up for a bit for d-rest before bottling and lagering.

passedpawn · Nov 30, 2009

In the future, dilute after fermentation. I always brew a little high OG, ferment it out, then dilute to the neck of the carboy. I get 6+ gallons every time. Good time to add gelatin if you are into that.

Almost no head space in primary for cold Kolsch fermentation

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Almost no head space in primary for cold Kolsch fermentation

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