Can I clear and bottle?

[cabo]

I currently have a batch of German wheat beer in the carboy. I used white labs kolsch liquid yeast. It's been in the primary for over three weeks now and I'm still getting a tiny tiny bit of activity in the air lock. It spent the first week at 70 degrees and the last two or so at 60. Anyone real familiar with this yeast? (Fermentation was real active the first week. And I don't like opening carboy for multiple gravity readings unless totally necessary). Anyway, anyone know what that yeast is doing in there exactly? Cuz I want to get this bottled before I go on vacation. I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks,
cabo

 

[WayFrae]

It should be done after that amount of time. Airlock activity is not how to check for yeast activity. If the temperature rises the air inside the carboy expands and comes out of the airlock. Generally, you want to take a gravity sample when you think fermentation is complete and then another one a couple days later. If the numbers match then you are good to bottle.

At 3 weeks you should be just fine to bottle.

 

[cabo]

I currently have a batch of German wheat beer in the carboy. I used white labs kolsch liquid yeast. It's been in the primary for over three weeks now and I'm still getting a tiny tiny bit of activity in the air lock. It spent the first week at 70 degrees and the last two or so at 60. Anyone real familiar with this yeast? (Fermentation was real active the first week. And I don't like opening carboy for multiple gravity readings unless totally necessary). Anyway, anyone know what that yeast is doing in there exactly? Cuz I want to get this bottled before I go on vacation. I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks,
cabo

 

[Yooper]

The only way to know if the beer is done vs offgassing is via hydrometer readings.

If the hydrometer reading is stable over at least three days, and where it is expected to be, the beer is finished.

 

[C-Rider]

Optimum Ferment Temp.65-69°F, 18-20°C (Does not ferment well less than 62°F, or 16°C, unless during active fermentation)

Why did you go high to start and then drop 10*??

But like Yooper said. The beer is done when the hydrometer says it's done.

 

[cabo]

I started at 70 degrees cuz that was closer to that yeasts' optimum fermentation temp. Then my wife was annoyed with my carboys in the closet, so I moved them downstairs where the temp was 60. I figured it was a safe move cuz fermentation was still somewhat active.

Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone else had a similar experience with that yeast. After all, the carboy temp has been at a constant 61 degrees for over 3 weeks now (can't be expanding gasses), gravity is 1.008 and I'm still get bubbles every couple minutes. I just expected it to be done by now! Otherwise I would have used a secondary. Now I'm afraid if I do, I won't have enough activity to purge the head space of o2. Oh well...

Cabo

 

[WayFrae]

I started at 70 degrees cuz that was closer to that yeasts' optimum fermentation temp. Then my wife was annoyed with my carboys in the closet, so I moved them downstairs where the temp was 60. I figured it was a safe move cuz fermentation was still somewhat active.

Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone else had a similar experience with that yeast. After all, the carboy temp has been at a constant 61 degrees for over 3 weeks now (can't be expanding gasses), gravity is 1.008 and I'm still get bubbles every couple minutes. I just expected it to be done by now! Otherwise I would have used a secondary. Now I'm afraid if I do, I won't have enough activity to purge the head space of o2. Oh well...

Cabo

It can easily be expanding gas. If it is just in your basement and not in a fermentation chamber the temperature will be cooler at night than in the day, even if it is only a few degrees. Take a hydrometer reading or be prepared to keep seeing bubbles. I have a cider in secondary that has been in there for months and I still see bubbles every now and then. I know it is not fermenting and that the bubbles mean nothing.

Take a hydrometer reading. Then another in a couple days. If the readings are the same then it is done.