Fermentation seems to be stopped!!

[mlloret]

Hi to all,

it is my first batch - from Spain - and after a little problems during the brew day (just learning..).
Brown Ale. OG 1052
3 days from fermentation starts. I used Safale S-04. No much bubbles in the airlock. Kraeusen during 2 days and is over. Yesterday took gravity 1020. Today same gravity.
The fermentation seems to be finished. Do I have to reach FG 1014 or less? How do i reach it? adding more ferments? how?

I appreciate any help or advice.

regards,

Marcos

 

[idahobrew]

Marcos, give it some more time. Check your gravity again in 3-4 days. I'm a new brewer also. I leave my beer in the primary fermenter 3 weeks or more before I bottle. From my limited experience my beers ferment very vigourous for the first 2-3 days and the fermentation slows but the beer is still fermenting slowly for the next few days at least. You will produce a better beer with patience. If you hit your FG in 3-4 days all is good but I'd still let your brew sit on the yeast for at least 2 weeks, 3 would be better.

 

[mlloret]

As I have read in several brewing books, lot of ales recipes, talks about leaving 1 week in a primary fermenter and after that bottling. I am worried because no fermenting activity is seen (no bubbles in airlock, no kaeusen,..) nowadays while ferment was very vigorous first 2 days. Any problem with the ferment? few quantity? or just be patient. I do have 2 tanks (one with 23L and second with 19L).
Due to this I am able to maintain one tank 2-3 weeks more (it is not much time in the same primary fermenter?) and the other bottling in 1 week from now.

 

[RM-MN]

It's not done fermenting just because the visible signs are gone. Yeast is still working on your beer but it has slowed down because it is working on the harder compounds that it digests. Give it a minimum of 2 weeks in the primary fermenter and then take gravity reading samples to make sure it really is done.

 

[iv_hokie12]

Youre doing just fine. Extract is notorious for finishing high. I have heard it is because a lot of it is caramelized during the boil. Still it would probably be best to leave it in primary for 2 weeks. The biggest thing I noticed when I started waiting more is having a lot less sediment at the bottom of my bottles.