Activity stopped...then started up again?

[btbartlett]

I started a batch of Belgian Wit about 12 days ago. Airlock activity had been going on for about 6 days and then stopped. Thanks to this forum, I learned that this was fine and I was gonna wait at least another week (which is really hard to do when this is your first batch after a 15 year hiatus) before I take hydrometer readings and start thinking of bottling. I checked yesterday and came up with a reading of 1.015 (target is 1.010). I took another reading today and came up with the same reading of 1.015, however, when I replaced the carboy cap and the airlock, almost instantly it started bubbling again at a fairly fast pace!

Anyone have any ideas of what is going on?

 

[HomerJR]

Maybe the seal wasn't good before you checked the gravity, but it was good after you put the cap back on. Did the bubbling continue? Did it stop?

More details please.

 

[btbartlett]

That was my first thought as well. However, after removing the blow off tube about 9 or 10 days ago, I haven't touched the cap (one of the ones you blow into) until yesterday. The airlock was active during that period, so that would lead me to believe that the seal was good.

Also, the temp has been very consistent, but on the low side of the ale range - 60, 61, 62, 63. When the activity stopped the first time, I even strapped a heating pad on it and raised the temp to about 68 just to see if anything would happen but no change. Its 61-62 now and bubbling away like a champ.

 

[HomerJR]

Well go figure. If it's still bubbling, then let it bubble away! The beer knows best, eh?

 

[btbartlett]

Tru dat Homer!

 

[HomerJR]

Double true!

 

[DKershner]

Also, the temp has been very consistent, but on the low side of the ale range - 60, 61, 62, 63. When the activity stopped the first time, I even strapped a heating pad on it and raised the temp to about 68 just to see if anything would happen but no change. Its 61-62 now and bubbling away like a champ.

You could have woken up the yeast with the temp increase, and now they are cold and tired again...just not asleep yet. Or maybe it's just done, since bubbles are not a sign of fermentation.

Either way, I would leave the heating pad attached. I would also let it sit there another week or two, regardless.