AirLock still Bubbling

[isuflyguy]

Good morning! So 17 days ago i began fermentation on a belgian wit. First time brewer and everything went really well. Primary fermentation went as expected, however 17days later Im still getting a bubble in my airlock once every 30seconds. I fully expected no bubbling at this point. My plan is to check the gravity tonight and bottle if it is in the range I want it. Any thoughts or advice since I still seem to have activity in the fermentation bucket?

 

[unionrdr]

@ 17 days,it could just be off-gassing dissolved co2. But I have had beers take 3 to 3 1/2 weeks to finish off those last couple gravity points. It'll also need 3-7 days to clean up any by-products of fermentation if needed & settle out clear or slightly misty.

 

[isuflyguy]

Yea the Kit said 10-20 days for fermentation. Figure checking the gravity wont hurt and I can always let it sit til the end of the week without harming it.

 

[unionrdr]

Yeah,you could do that to see how far along it is. Plus you can taste the hydrometer sample for your brewing notes.

 

[isuflyguy]

Great idea! I actually just finished making a standardized brew sheet to use on future brews so that I can compare very easily. Hopefully I taste good things!!

 

[unionrdr]

Weather good,bad or indifferent,right down what you see,smell & taste for future reference. It can come in handy for future re-brews.

 

[kwikness]

Good morning! So 17 days ago i began fermentation on a belgian wit. First time brewer and everything went really well. Primary fermentation went as expected, however 17days later Im still getting a bubble in my airlock once every 30seconds. I fully expected no bubbling at this point. My plan is to check the gravity tonight and bottle if it is in the range I want it. Any thoughts or advice since I still seem to have activity in the fermentation bucket?

Are you using one of those S-shaped airlocks? Those will continue to bubble for a while longer than the 2-piece or 3-piece airlocks. Check the gravity at 2 weeks if everything else looks finished in the fermenter, then another few days later. If it hasn't changed, you should be ready to bottle.

 

[KepowOb]

Airlocks aren't a very good indicator of fermentation...

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jzT_KTTZ0Q"][YOUTUBE]4jzT_KTTZ0Q[/YOUTUBE][/ame]

As you've planned, take some gravity readings and you'll know for sure.

 

[unionrdr]

That's a very good example of air expansion in a close space. Heating & cooling can cause expansion or contraction of the air trapped inside.

 

[mascervesa]

If you are using White labs 400 for your wit, that one is a slow, slow, go. I just finished a 1.056 OG witbier with that yeast and it didnt reach FG till 21 days and I even pitched a 1.5L starter into each 6 gallon carboy. Be patient.

 

[isuflyguy]

Never thought about temp difference causing expansion and such... My apartment is normally steady within 4-5degs so that could have something to do with it. Cleaning everything up now to test the FG... we will know soon enough!

 

[isuflyguy]

Well after opening the top to take a smell i thought my throat was burning!!! Was very pessimistic but i checked the FG and it was right on! The beer tasted like a watered down blue moon. Hopefully after carbonating it'll be perfect! Time will tell

 

[KepowOb]

When you stuck your head in there for a smell, you got a nice dose of C02, which is why it burned.

Temp changes aren't the only thing that can make it bubble, so can atmospheric changes when the weather is changing.