fermentation

[bigjoe62]

is it possible for fermentation to complete within 24 hours. i put a scottish ale in the fermentor on sunday evening and it was just bubbling away monday morning when i got up then was a bit slower monday night. got up this morning to check on it and now it isn't doing anything this is my second batch that i have made the first fermented for a week before it slowed down and stoped.

 

[Suthrncomfrt1884]

I suppose it all depends on the yeast, OG, and what temps you had it at. Higher fermentation temperatures will finish it quickly, but it will also leave you with off flavors. Also, if you're judging it strictly by the airlock, its probably not done. Take some gravity readings if you want to know for sure.

Even if it's at the final gravity, I'd let it sit for a few more weeks in primary. I allow all my beers to sit in primary for at least 3-4 weeks unless it's a wheat or IPA.

 

[marubozo]

Bubbles don't mean anything.

That being said, it isn't abnormal for what appears to be airlock activity to come and go over the period of a single day, especially at warmer temps like Suthrncomfrt mentioned.

So, relax and give it a few more days and then take a gravity reading if you're concerned. But chances are you will find it is indeed "done."

 

[Got Trub?]

A Scottish 60/ ? I just brewed a Special Bitter, OG 1.042 that went from pitch to collapsed krausen and minimal airlock activity in 72 hours. Fermented at 64F. A properly pitched low gravity ale will ferment quickly.

GT

 

[BeerJorge]

Bubbles don't mean anything.

That being said, it isn't abnormal for what appears to be airlock activity to come and go over the period of a single day, especially at warmer temps like Suthrncomfrt mentioned.

So, relax and give it a few more days and then take a gravity reading if you're concerned. But chances are you will find it is indeed "done."

+1. Attenuation could happen that fast... that doesn't mean you are done fermenting...

If you used a high flocculation yeast or if you lowered the temperature of your fermenter, then the yeast may have gone dormant... you'll just need to rouse the yeast a bit... you may not see bubbles anymore, but the yeast will be working...

 

[Bigeb]

Like Marubozo said, bubbles don't tell you anything (though it's cool to see.)

The only way you can find out if fermentation is complete is to measure your starting and final gravities. When the you have three days of final gravities with no change the fermentation is done.

 

[bigjoe62]

ok when i put it in the fermentor o.g was 1.036 and when i checked it 3 days in a row it was at 1.010 so i went on and racked into secondary were i'm goin to leave it for 2 weeks