Fermentation Died

[bigchristheman]

I realize this is turning into a 2 question post as I continue to type.

1) I just did my second all grain batch. I was off on my OG by .02 so I'm not too worried about that (1.052 instead of 1.054). I pitched the yeast at the normal temperature of 74. It's an ale and I used S-05. It started fermenting pretty quickly but never build up and krausen and after 3 days we are at 13second intervals on bubbles. I've used this yeast before and a few others and never had it stop this quick and without building a pretty nice head.

2) I am curious if it may be from me using untreated tap water. The pH in my area (Palo Alto, CA) is around 8. I did not use 5.2 or gypsum or other water treatments this time. I did get very close to my targeted OG but I'm still worried there might be something in the water here that is hurting the yeast? This is my second time with untreated water and Nottingham yeast dropped my IPA from 1.062 to 1.012 without too much trouble on my previous batch.

The recipe I used this time was just a pale ale. 1.054 OG 1.012 FG projected. Nothing too difficult I thought.

Thanks for your help... with this being my first post and all!

 

[ChshreCat]

Have you checked what the SG is right now? 74 is really warm to ferment at and it could have fermented out fast enough for you to miss the krausen.

 

[bigchristheman]

I have not checked the SG since pitching. It has been a hotter temperature in this area the past week or so maybe that is affecting it? I know that 74 is high but I have pitched this stuff higher before I had a wort chiller and never had any problems. I understand that this would probably contribute to lesser quality beer but I have been acquiring equipment for that past few months to make the both my life easier and the quality of brew better.

 

[ChshreCat]

Pitching at 74 and having it drop into the 60's in the first hours is one thing. If the temp didn't go down then you could have a very fast, vigorous fermentation. The krausen can rise and fall overnight. Check the gravity if you're curious what it's doing.