1st time brewer and fermentation.

[Jeff601307]

I just brewed my first batch of Scottish ale. We followed the brewing directions to a T. Our only kistake was adding slightly (about 1 cup) too much water before sealing it in the fermenter. Now that the brew is in the fermentation 5gl bucket with the airlock firmly in place, it has stopped giving off air after only 48hrs sealed. The directions said it would stop producing bubbles after 4-6 days...it seems far too soon for ours to be done. Suggestions? Should we continue on to secOndary fermentation? Should we wait the reported 4-6 days?

 

[punkrockdave]

Just wait. Mine often dies down (bubbling that is) but that doesn't mean fermentation is finished. I hope you are taking hydrometer readings. Good luck.

 

[Jeff601307]

I was under the impression we weren't to open the fermentation container until ready to transfer for a secondary fermentation. Most likely a simple rookie mistake. We took the hydrometer reading when we first sealed it up.

 

[ChrisJPassarelli]

You certainly don't want to be opening up the fermenter willy-nilly, but once the bubbling gets down to below once every minute or two, it's worth a check. If your gravity readings are below, say, 1.015 or 1.020, then it means it's more or less fermenting successfully. If you're still at 1.030 or something, then there's more likelihood that it's stuck.

...but the solution is still generally to wait.

 

[truebe]

my advice for new brewers is to not get stressed out about infection. I've noticed that they are usually terrified of it. Try to sanitize everything that touches the beer like instructed, but don't be afraid to open it up and take gravity readings. Beer isnt some fragile drink that goes rancid on a dime. it is pretty resistant to bugs.