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Fermentation dead? Caribou Slobber

Discussion in 'Fermentation & Yeast' started by Theheadsn, Nov 6, 2015.

 

  1. #1
    Theheadsn

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Nov 6, 2015
    Hey guys. Finally got around to brewing my Caribou Slobber beer kit on October 30th. This is my 4th batch, so I made sure everything was sanitized and what not before using everything. So here's my dilemma, I pitched the included yeast (Danstar Windsor Ale Yeast) at around 74 degrees, then put the carboy into my fermentation fridge. Its set at around 64-66 degrees. After the first day I had a little activity, but nothing to write home about. Had about 2 inches worth of foam form, then after the second day everything seems to die out. Let it sit till Nov 3rd, still no real activity. Thought maybe the yeast could have been bad; I had an extra packet of Safale US-05 in the fridge so I repitched. Now its the 5th and didn't even get a burble from the airlock. Took it out to check the OG, and its sitting at around 1.020 right now, also gave it a taste and it doesn't taste foul or anything obvious. One thing I did that may have effected everything was I used diluted rubbing alcohol in the air lock because that's all that I had around at the time. Could that have totally killed the beer? Any ideas? Should I just ditch this or let it ferment longer? Any advice Id totally appreciate
     
  2. #2
    Yooper

    Ale's What Cures You! Staff Member  

    Posted Nov 6, 2015
    S04 works fast- it's simply done. Don't worry!

    It's fine I promise. At 66 degrees, it could easily ferment out overnight. That yeast strain gets fruity at above about 63 degrees, so I usually use it cooler if I use it. But it still goes fast and drops clear really fast as well!

    It may not get lower than 1.020, depending on the recipe but it might drop to 1.016-1.018 with a few more days (but probably not).
     
    slym2none likes this.
  3. #3
    Theheadsn

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Nov 6, 2015
    Thats good to know. But I used the s04 as a repitch, curious if there danstar was a dud or not. From the look of it, there wasnt much dead yeast or anything at the bottom of the carboy
     
  4. #4
    ncbrewer

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Nov 6, 2015
    My bottle of rubbing alcohol has a warning "For external use only".
     
  5. #5
    Theheadsn

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Nov 6, 2015
    Glad I didnt drink it then right? lol
     
  6. #6
    Foosier

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Nov 6, 2015
    Listen to Yooper. The danstar was not a dud. If you had 2 inches of foam you had a real solid fermentation going. Bubbles and such are not signs of fermentation. Only a hydrometer reading showing dropping gravity can tell you that for sure. Definitely need to relax before you consider a re-pitch in the future.
     
  7. #7
    Theheadsn

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Nov 7, 2015
    Thanks :) Ya I just havent brewed in a few months and was just worried I messed something up. Probably would have been fine not repitching lol Its been a week now, probably gonna check it the OG again tomorrow of sunday, if its the same then I'll put it in the secondary. Fingers crossed
     
  8. #8
    ncbrewer

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Nov 7, 2015
    I mentioned this because sometimes some airlock liquid gets sucked into the beer.
     
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