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That's my wife back there with the bed head and 5 o'clock shadow. She's a...handsome...woman, is all.


So you'd rather say that your wife is a man than for us to think you AREN'T wearing makeup? Interesting logic... Explains your grain mill situation though.
 
Question for all you sours brewers. I think i have six gallons to rack of this sour wit to a six gallon carboy but its hard to tell if i really have that much. I really don't wanna end up with a half gallon of head space if i dont have quite six gallons. Anybody out there have success with long term sour aging with this much headspace? My initial thoughts are dont do it but wanted to check your experiences first. I really hate dumping an extra gallon if i end up using a five gallon carboy.


Always turns out that way for me- and it always turns out great. Just don't take the airlock off so you are not introducing more oxygen I have had 1 gallon+ of headspace and it still turned out amazing. I usually age mine 1+ years and never rack of yeast. Never a problem
 
Science question, I remember reading to give a second round of O2 after the pitch on a big beer, when?


Pretty sure within 24 hours of pitching, if not sooner. I have no experience with this though. IMO, if you pitch correctly you wont need it. I believe the issue is providing enough oxygen for adequate reproduction before fermentation actually starts. Correct me if I'm wrong on that though.
 
Always turns out that way for me- and it always turns out great. Just don't take the airlock off so you are not introducing more oxygen I have had 1 gallon+ of headspace and it still turned out amazing.


In that gallon headspace sour, how long did it age? No signs of acetic acid?
 
No signs of any acetic acid or other off flavors. Even if you have a lot of headspace, the pellicle will protect the beer. As long as you are not sampling all the time your beer will be fine. You can purge carboy with some co2 to put your mind at ease and if you do sample, you can also blow some co2 on top of the beer to protect it. When I do split fruit batches, I will have 2.5 gallons of sour on fruit in a 5 or 6 gallon carboy. Pellicle grows back never any acetic always use an airlock on top or a carboy cap.
 
It probably would be a bad idea, don't push too hard especially if you have drugs dulling the pain.

I've actually skipped the pain killers so far today. I took the prednisone though. Last pain killer I took was at 2 am this morning.
 
I've not had any issues that I'm aware of with extra head space on long term sour beers. As mentioned the pellicle will protect it if there is one and you can purge with c02 from time to time.
 
No signs of any acetic acid or other off flavors. Even if you have a lot of headspace, the pellicle will protect the beer. As long as you are not sampling all the time your beer will be fine. You can purge carboy with some co2 to put your mind at ease and if you do sample, you can also blow some co2 on top of the beer to protect it. When I do split fruit batches, I will have 2.5 gallons of sour on fruit in a 5 or 6 gallon carboy. Pellicle grows back never any acetic always use an airlock on top or a carboy cap.


Thanks for the info. Going with the 6 gallon carboy so i dont waste any beer. I wish i had a co2 setup but do not yet. Kegs will be a wedding gift to myself haha.

I've not had any issues that I'm aware of with extra head space on long term sour beers. As mentioned the pellicle will protect it if there is one and you can purge with c02 from time to time.


Awesome, thanks! I guess I shouldn't have worried too much but hate messing up or dumping beer.
 
Thanks for the info. Going with the 6 gallon carboy so i dont waste any beer. I wish i had a co2 setup but do not yet. Kegs will be a wedding gift to myself haha.




Awesome, thanks! I guess I shouldn't have worried too much but hate messing up or dumping beer.


+1 no problem with a little extra headspace. Just take care of your air locks and make sure the carboy mouth has a good seal.

Had an awesome breakfast and some fancy coffee from our espresso machine. No photos. Now I'm waiting in line for beer. At least it's warm.
 
+1 no problem with a little extra headspace. Just take care of your air locks and make sure the carboy mouth has a good seal.

Had an awesome breakfast and some fancy coffee from our espresso machine. No photos. Now I'm waiting in line for beer. At least it's warm.

Uncle Jacob's release?
 
Science question, I remember reading to give a second round of O2 after the pitch on a big beer, when?

I've no experience with big beers but I believe a second blast of oxygen in the first 12-18 hours is recommended by many. Personally I'd be leery about doing it much past the 12 hour mark but again, what the flock do I know. Squat is what.

There was an article on making big beers some time back. It touched upon this topic. Here it is if anyone cares.
 
Black Project. I doubt there's a line at Avery. I'll be able to walk in and grab some for at least a week or two. Btw, how many do you want? I already picked up the CS.

Cool, have fun!

I'll PM you about it soon. Thanks!

Still waiting to hear about Sue showing up this week.
 
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