Concerned About My First BIAB Batch

[Crumb93]

I just brewed my first BIAB batch. The recipe looked simple enough… However, it called for WLP565 ;-) I followed the recipe to a T.

I made a starter. ½ cup DME to 3 cups water to account for boil off. Set it on my stir plate for 36-40 hours, and pitched.

I’ve got it downstairs in a temperature controlled box. It was bubbling when I checked on it this morning (I pitched around 8:00pm last night), but stopped a couple of hours ago. I’ve also got a small amount of krausen on the top of my carboy.

It sat at room temp last night, and then I took it from 75 – 80 today; this is WLP565.

Anyway, so it’s not bubbling anymore and it looks like I’ve got a yeast cake on the bottom of my fermenter. Should I be concerned? Did I have the temperature too high? It’s back down to 75 now.

I also had some problems with my wort chiller, and I believe that I may have gotten a little bit of chilling water in the wort. Which is another concern. What do you guys think?

I know that fermentation can take time, but I'm a little concerned that I initially saw signs and now everything has stopped so early in the process.

 

[schokie]

What's the gravity? That's really the only way to know. How long has it been since fermentation started?

Was the temp the box temp or the wort temp? 80 can can be ok for a saison, but if that's ambient and the wort temp is 85+, that might be a bit much. But since saisons generally like warmer temps, you'll probably be ok.

 

[Crumb93]

The OG was 1.040. I'm hesitant to take a reading now just due to risk of contamination. The fermentation startered overnight last night.

The box temp was 80...

 

[schokie]

The temp's a touch high, but not too bad for a saison. Not much you can do about it now. In sure your beer will be just fine.

If you started fermentation last night then it probably needs a few more days at least. I agree with your hesitation to take a reading. Give it at least a week, then check. Bubbling and airlock activity mean nothing.

 

[Crumb93]

I had my wife look at it last night, and she pointed out that it appeared that the krausen had bubbles popping on the top. I checked on it this morning, and the krausen's still there. So I think I may be good!

 

[schokie]

Good to hear.

If fermentation started on time and looked good for a while, then I wouldn't worry about anything. I've had fermentations finish in just a day or two and I've had some that lasted for a couple weeks. Each one is different. That's what makes yeast so interesting!