Fermentation

[kschroeder]

I'm in the fermentation process of my beer. I brewed an American light lager as my first brew. I am using an extract kit. The airlock only bubbled a little after the first 24 hours but doesn't seem to be doing much now. I brewed on January 1st. There is a very thin layer of foam on top right now. I'm not sure what is wrong, should I pitch some more yeast or just wait and see what happens? The temperature has been between 68-72 in a dark place. Thanks

 

[stevo4361]

What yeast are you using?

 

[BigFloyd]

There's probably nothing wrong. It's very likely fermenting and the CO2 has found a way to escape other than your airlock. Give it 10 days from when you pitched and then take a gravity reading. You'll probably find that it has fermented. Leave it 3-4 more days, if the second reading is the same, it's ready to bottle.

What yeast did you use? Is the 68-72*F the beer temp or the air temp?

 

[kschroeder]

I used Craft Series M84 dry yeast. Beer temp was 68-72

 

[InLimbo]

Craft series M84 is a lager strain, right? You're fermenting about 15 degrees warmer than you should be for a lager strain (you should be at about 50 degrees). I've never fermented a lager strain at those temperatues, but it might account for what you have going on.

 

[BigFloyd]

I used Craft Series M84 dry yeast. Beer temp was 68-72

Uh oh. I was afraid you were going to say that.

That yeast should be pitched and fermented down in the low 50's. You're at the upper end of the temp range for most ale yeasts. There's really not much you can do about it now except to see how it turns out. You never know. You might be the one who discovers that M84 is a good yeast for making a steam beer.

Lagers are tempting for newer brewers, but unless you're set up to maintain it cool (like with a fermenter fridge on a controller) and then later cold lager it (33-40*F) for several weeks, it's best to stick with ales.

 

[kschroeder]

Ok, thank y'all. I will hope for the best.

 

[kschroeder]

Would it help to pitch a different yeast now or should I just let it ride?

 

[Yooper]

Would it help to pitch a different yeast now or should I just let it ride?

Too late now. I'd still keep it in the low to mid 60s if possible, even if you weren't using a lager yeast, as 72 degrees is too warm for all but a very few yeast strains.