Fermentation that last forever

benda86 · Mar 24, 2015

Hello everyone!!

I have brewed a batch of pale ale, the OG was 1.055 and I am expecting an FG of 1.014
I pitched a pack of us-5 and after 12 hours the airlock showed activity.. So far so good...
The wort is still fermenting, after 7-8 days. This is the first time (for me) that the us-05 ferments over 5 days..
Anyone can share some insights??

ChelisHubby · Mar 24, 2015

Is it non stop bubbles or more like a bubble every 20 seconds? the nonstop is fermentation the other is yeast cleaning up or more likely off gassing of CO-2. Every brew is a little different I would not be concerned.

fantomlord · Mar 26, 2015

have you checked your gravity?

that would be the way to determine if you're done fermenting or not.

Aonghus · Mar 26, 2015

benda86 said:
Hello everyone!!

I have brewed a batch of pale ale, the OG was 1.055 and I am expecting an FG of 1.014
I pitched a pack of us-5 and after 12 hours the airlock showed activity.. So far so good...
The wort is still fermenting, after 7-8 days. This is the first time (for me) that the us-05 ferments over 5 days..
Anyone can share some insights??

It could be c02 in solution coming out. You could still have some fermentation going on. I would not even bother with taking a gravity reading at this point; just leave it in the primary for another two weeks and then take your reading when you rack it to the keg or bottling bucket. RDWHAHB

fizzy_nether_nectar · Mar 26, 2015

If your temperature Is lower than normal then perhaps your yeasties are working a bit slower ? It can't hurt to let it go a few more days, but yes checking your gravity would be ideal..

benda86 · Mar 26, 2015

Great. I will give a few more days to stay in the safe side.. After that i will check the gravity before bottling.
The fermentation temprute was 19 c, and it is the first time that it took so long..
Thank you once again for the kind help!

Cheers!

FatDragon · Mar 26, 2015

My first beer bubbled slowly for well over three weeks, but I fermented it with S-04 at 24C (kit instructions, not a good idea) and I'm pretty sure it was done in two or three days. Bubbles can occur for various reasons, so your brew could very well be done already. You don't really have anything to lose by letting it ride for another week or so (unless you desparately need the fermentation space), so you're better off leaving it for a while.