is my fermentation complete

So I brewed up my first batch the other day. Everything went fairly well until I pitched the yeast. Nottingham ale yeast. I forgot to rehydrate. I thought I shocked the yeast but with in 12 hours my air lock started to go nuts. This continued for two days then stoped yesterday. And the beer looks the same today. Kruasen falling in with a after foam still settling on top. I don't see much activity like I did the two previous days from the yeast on the side of the carboy and the air lock is burping maybe 5 times a minute. So I guess what I'm getting at is ... Do you think it is done fermenting? I know I know. Do a hydrometer reading. But I don't want to waist beer if there is still a chance that it is not done. My original intentions were to check it this Sunday . Also based on the pictures . Is that what normaly gets left behind from the krausen on top of the brew? Or does it all sink to the bottom? Thanks



2 days ago



Today



Today

 

I doubt your fermentation is done. Seriously the only way to know for sure is the hydrometer reading like you already mentioned. As for wasting beer, drink the hydrometer reading sample so you can learn how it's going. Then it's not a big waste. Besides, would you rather waste a little on samples to know that your fermentation is done, or bottle too early, get bottle bombs and waste tons of beer and have a crazy mess? Seems to me like the sacrificed sample is well worth it. I just bottled a batch last night. Took my readings after 2+ weeks, drank those samples and still bottled 50 bottles out of 5 gallons.

 

Oh, and the krausen will start to fall back into the beer and down to the bottom. Maybe not all of it, but a lot more then what you're currently showing.

 

your fermentation is more than likely not complete.

i used to have the same fear as you for wasting beer. next time you take a hydrometer reading, place the beer you extracted into an empty beer bottle (doesn't need to be sanitized). that will give you an idea of how much beer you're actually "wasting". you'll come to find it's only 2-3 sips.

 

not complete, let sit for 3 weeks total, then check.

 

YES. Totally agree. Most hydro samples are <6oz. So you take 2-4 samples and end up with 50 bottles instead of 52. Plus, tasting along the way helps calibrate your "brewer intuition".

 

While airlock activity is a good indicator of fermentation lack of airlock activity is not a reliable indicator that your beer is done. Rather than waste beer taking gravity samples just let it sit for a couple three weeks. The additional time will help ensure it is done as well as give the yeast time to clean up any off flavors giving you a much cleaner brew. Now close the closet door, relax, and let the yeast do their job.

 

Agreed with the previous posts. Leave it for 3 weeks then bottle. Drop the hydrometer in the frementer then there's no waste. No need for the tube.

 

Thanks for the feedback guys.

 

don't poke the beer the 5 day old beer.

 

I'd find it hard to read the hydrometer in the primary. Steep downward angles don't work well in this case,especially with plastic primaries. I usually wait 2 weeks to take a 1st FG sample,& I use the tube the hydrometer came in. so only a few ounces sacrifices itself for the cause.
but even 3 weeks to check for FG isn't a bad think,except maybe for wheat beers.
After you get a stable FG,give it another 3-7 days to settle out clear or slightly misty. Then bottle/keg.

 

I know its off topic but after I wait a few weeks should I cold crash? And at what temp to do so? I have a fermentation chamber and can get down close to freezing if need be.



My pooch guarding the brew

 

I cold crashe the Kolsch I just bottled because it was the first beer in my ferm chamber. I just put it at 40 for 3 days. I'm not an expert on the subject, but it helped. Should really settle and clear after its conditioned and chilled in the fridge.