Big beer, aeration, and yeast pitch questions

[hotbeer]

Something you might want to try next time. Figure out how to run the tubes straight up vertically from the fermenter for a 6 to 12 inches or more. That might let the liquid brought as bubbles run back down into the fermenter instead of down to your bubbler vessels.

The 7/8" ID tube I use is so thick, that it will support itself for that little distance.

I did wake up today and found the current batch in the fermenter maxed out it's krausen last knight and actually got into the blow off tube. However it wasn't able to make if far enough up to get past or near the bend which for my 5 liter fermenter is about 6 inches higher than the top of the fermenter and about 9 inches higher than the surface level of the beer inside.

 

[BoitAHL]

Figure out how to run the tubes straight up vertically from the fermenter for a 6 to 12 inches or more.

That is an excellent idea.

 

[BoitAHL]

Update.

Primary fermentation went very well. Added the Cherry Puree at the designated time. About 2 weeks of decent activity then let it sit another week. The splitting of the wort into two fermenters worked perfectly. Did not lose any volume this time. Before racking onto the Cholaca and Vodka-soaked vanilla beans took a gravity reading. Came out at 1.060 from 1.160 OG so I'm looking at a bit over 13%. I am very very happy. Taste was damn good right out of primary with just the Cherry Puree added and was not super sweet like last time. Racking onto that chocolate was making my mouth water. I keep telling myself be patient, but I want to crack open the secondary and start drinking right from the carboy!!!! Unfortunately, the instructions now say, "age to desired taste". I really hate opening up the secondary, or primary for that matter, to take samples so I have not decided how long in secondary yet. I think I will repost the recipe with the couple of tweaks I did when the beer is ready (and of course tastes fantastic)! Also, I think I figured out why the OG was a whopping1.160. Was supposed to put in 1lb of Munich DME but could only get a 3lb bag and of course I put in all 3lbs.