Cold weather's got the yeasties dormant

[jeremymschneider]

I got 27 gallons of cider. I pressed it in January, almost 2 months ago. Unfortunately, its been a cold winter for middle california. The ferment hasn't finished yet. The yeast has spent much of the time dormant. (avg cider temp is probably 56 degrees)

Using Nottingham ail yeast

Should I be worried about the cider sitting on these dormant yeasties for so long?

 

[gregbathurst]

It doesn't usually hurt to keep cider on lees, What is the SG of the cider?

 

[Pickled_Pepper]

I've fermented Nottingham at 56ºF. It doesn't thrive there, but it seems to continue to move along. Maybe a heating blanket draped over could provide a little needed warmth?

"Drink life to the lees!"

 

[jeremymschneider]

juice started at .060. It is distributed between 5 carboys. current avg is about .030.

 

[gregbathurst]

You can leave it on the lees but monitor the sg, if it keeps fermenting slowly it should be good.

 

[AussieBrewerInColorado]

if it's moving you should be good. If it stops, you may need to repitch yeast and increase temp.

 

[jeremymschneider]

It ferments when the temp has been warm for several days in a row. It "cold crashes" when the temp reduces.