Can fermentation last too long?

[emdocmcd]

Hey guys,
I brewed a batch of a paulaner wheat clone on feb 14th, airlock started bubbling about 12 hours later, and I racked it to secondary 5 days later. Today it's still churning out bubbles about every 2-3 seconds, and has been since I racked it. I know the airlock doesn't always follow fermentation, but it's in a glass carboy and I can see plenty of bubbles rising to the top. I've made this exact recipe about 5 times before, and it's never lasted nearly this long. I figure I'm just being too impatient, but I thought it was worth asking the question whether it's possible to have a fermentation last too long?

Thanks all

McD

 

[naiek]

Did you take a gravity reading before you racked? Could be co2 coming out of solution, could have had a stuck fermentation or a number of other possibilities

 

[emdocmcd]

No, unfortunately my hydrometer broke and I'm currently waiting for its replacement... No LHBS. That will tell me what's going on for sure, but in the meantime, I've been wondering what it could be...

 

[kh54s10]

Fermentation will only last until the yeast "eat" all the sugar that is available to them.

5 days seems a very short timeframe for transferring to secondary. You should wait for fermentation to end then take gravity readings for 3 days do be sure that the gravity is stable, then transfer.

You probably just have co2 coming out of solution. This could be for many reasons including atmospheric pressure or temperature changes.

I do not secondary, I primary for 3-4 weeks then bottle. I had one brew that bubbled for 2 1/2 weeks. It is really good.

 

[Revvy]

Then get a new hydrometer...that's the only way you'll know. An airlock is a VALVE, a vent to let excess gas, mostly co2, escape. It's NOT a fermentation gauge...so whether or not an airlock bubbles doesn't really correlate to anything that can be measured ie, 10 bubbles doesn't mean x gravity points or anything useful, just that it's bubbling, or not.

It could just as easily be bubbling due to changes in the environment that fermenter is in, or if the cat brushed against the fermenter as actual fermentation occuring.

 

[khiddy]

+1 on the too-early transfer and the CO2 off-gassing.

 

[Robms88]

You will have no problem leaving it where it is until you get a new hydrometer. Do not rack without taking a gravity reading to make sure it is finished. I know that from experience. Just be patient until the new hydrometer arrives. When it does, take three consecutive readings to make sure it is consistent over three days.

 

[homebrewdad]

Yup, you're being too impatient. Racking after five days? I don't see any of the vets recommending anything less than two weeks, usually three. Even if you have hit your FG after five days, your flavors would be better with more time in primary (and more time for the yeast to clean up).