High Krausen Question

[jbloeser]

So I noticed my current Hefeweizen fermenting away was throwing enough krausen to fill up my airlock and leak onto the bucket lid. This has only happened once before to me but I wondered if there are any effects on the finished product from this activity?

As an example does a high krausen activity mean anything for off flavors?

For more information the batch was supposed to be 5 gallons, but comes in closer to 4.5 and is in a 6.5 gallon bucket. I pitched my starter after giving it about three days to get going, and the yeast was WLP320. It is fermenting in my closet at around 65 degrees.

 

[Pilgarlic]

The yeast strains used to ferment a hefe typically throw off a very large volume of krausen. You will want to replace the airlock with a blowoff tube or otherwise provide for the release of pressure in the event that the airlock becomes clogged. This will help to prevent wort on your ceiling. Use the search function or google blowoff tubes for specifics.

High krausen activity is normal and healthy.

 

[Cacaman]

In an effort to not start a new thread, I'll ask my similar question here.

I brewed a beer on Monday, and noticed the quick yeast activity. By Tuesday it started bubbling, but when I checked on it again on Wednesday, I noticed that I had an overflow. Some beer had spilled to the floor, and the vodka on the airlock was brown now. The airlock lid didn't explode off, it just lifted, and landed back into place when the krausen was done overflowing. What should i do about this? Leave the airlock as it is? Replace the vodka? Suggestions?

 

[leotrace]

In an effort to not start a new thread, I'll ask my similar question here.

I brewed a beer on Monday, and noticed the quick yeast activity. By Tuesday it started bubbling, but when I checked on it again on Wednesday, I noticed that I had an overflow. Some beer had spilled to the floor, and the vodka on the airlock was brown now. The airlock lid didn't explode off, it just lifted, and landed back into place when the krausen was done overflowing. What should i do about this? Leave the airlock as it is? Replace the vodka? Suggestions?

You can probably just leave it as is, though cleaning the airlock and replacing the vodka isn't a half-bad idea. I'd just make sure the seal is 100% airtight and that it is free of dried krausen.