Hefeweizen Help!?

[joel6615]

Hi all, long time reader, first time poster. I recently brewed (attempted to brew) a hefeweizen using WLP300. It is not fermenting. I already know that my OG was much too high at 1.080--not enough room in my boil kettle(s). It has been fermenting for 36 hours at about 71 degrees F. It has not attenuated/fermented at all. Is my beer salvageable? I agitated about 12 hours into fermentation, but still nothing. What can I do? Wait? Repitch a new yeast w/starter? Any help would be...helpful!

 

[Edcculus]

Welcome to the forum!

If you did a concentrated boil and didn't top off, you could be having some problems there. I'd definitely top it off to get a gravity of ~1.050. Still, 36 hours is a little short to panic. Signs of fermentation can take up to 72 hours. With such a high OG, it might be taking the yeast a little longer to get started.

 

[echotraveler]

i would suggest you to lower the temp to around 62f

how many pounds of DME did you use?

I just made a hefeweisen and my original gravity 1.056 ended at around 1.014

 

[joel6615]

All grain @ 11 lbs. 5lbs pils and 6 lbs wheat. Ended up with 4 gallons, so topping off seems like the best alternative to get back to a "normal" hefeweizen number, no?

 

[joel6615]

Question, since apparently the fermentation hasn't begun, should I worry about oxidation when I top up, or should I try not to disturb the beer? I suppose that I could aerate the water used to top up. Should I repitch yeast?

 

[echotraveler]

Question, since apparently the fermentation hasn't begun, should I worry about oxidation when I top up, or should I try not to disturb the beer? I suppose that I could aerate the water used to top up. Should I repitch yeast?

no repitch needed, Yeast is pretty clever, if you didnt kill them it will ferment. can you take a pic of the beer as it is?

 

[joel6615]

Unfortunately negative on the picture because fermenting in plastic bucket. But my satellite (a hydrometer tube) looks the same today as it did when I took the sample except that the yeast and other proteins are settled at the bottom and no sign of krausen or any other activity. Very nice burnt orange coloring though--hey I guess that is something positive.

 

[echotraveler]

airlock bubbles are overrated, let that thing sit with a blow off for a few days.

 

[PVH]

WLP 300 is one of my favorite yeasts, and I've used it a lot. The first couple times, I didn't make a starter, and just pitched the vial right into the wort. I got very long lag times on both occasions - more than 24 hours. Even now, when I make a starter the yeast still takes longer to get going than many others. However, when it takes off, it's a beast.

Did you make a starter? Did you aerate the wort?

If you answered "no" to both of those questions, then I'm not surprised that the WLP 300 hasn't taken off yet. You have a high gravity wort that needs to be thoroughly aerated. You shocked those poor hefe yeasts by throwing them into a difficult environment. I bet they'll rebound, though. Don't despair yet!

 

[joel6615]

I aerated like a champion so that isn't the issue, but I did not make a starter (yes I have learned my lesson) but in all fairness I didn't expect it to come out at 1.080! Haha, this is my first batch ever and I had an awesome time watching and participating in the transformation! It was such a great experience, and I cannot wait to get started on my second batch.

 

[jonbomb]

WLP 300 is one of my favorite yeasts, and I've used it a lot. The first couple times, I didn't make a starter, and just pitched the vial right into the wort. I got very long lag times on both occasions - more than 24 hours. Even now, when I make a starter the yeast still takes longer to get going than many others. However, when it takes off, it's a beast.

I agree the wlp 300 is soo good. Mines went strong for a long time and I tried my hefe last night and it was AMAZING

 

[Malintent]

I aerated like a champion so that isn't the issue, but I did not make a starter (yes I have learned my lesson) but in all fairness I didn't expect it to come out at 1.080! Haha, this is my first batch ever and I had an awesome time watching and participating in the transformation! It was such a great experience, and I cannot wait to get started on my second batch.

hold on now... back up a sec.... what is going on with your Hefe? fermentation start up for you? don't tell anyone that you dumped it if you did.

 

[joel6615]

I live in a no dumping zone, and no doubt all will be happy to know that IT'S ALIVE. I came home from work, gave it a swirl, and a short time later the air lock was active. I ended up letting the yeast do the work. I guess that's a good lesson, hands off. Now I am getting a pretty solid ferment I think. Thanks again!

 

[homebrewer_99]

Check it for signs of kreusen. If it has any then you have an air leak somewhere...around the airlock or the seal on the lid.