Krausen hasn't dropped

[phug]

So I brewed a Belgian wit back on 09/01. Og was about 1.031( efficiency was crap, I'm blaming the crush right now) the planned OG was 1.048.

At any rate it's now the 17th and while fermentation looks like it ended a long while ago but the stupid krausen won't drop. Any suggestions short of a cold crash? I guess I could leave it another week or two before I freak out about it.

I pitched half a packet of t58 in a 2.5 gallon batch. Dry, no rehydration. Fermentation onset was within about 12 hours and airlock activity stopped after about 3 days in. Term temp was 65-68 ambient.

Glass carboy.

I suppose I'll grab some refractometer samples next week some time to see how things went.

 

[Hello]

I'd say you could give it a very gentle swirl, just a quick once around type thing. If you don't want to cold crash, then you may be able to increase the temp a bit and see if it then drops out.

 

[flars]

Use a correction calculator for the refractometer samples. Refractometers don't work well when alcohol is present in the sample. Hydrometers do though, but I suppose you don't want to take too many hydrometer samples with a 2.5 gallon brew.

 

[phug]

thanks Hello, I'll give that a try. Flars, i'll use Sean Terrill's calculator which has been pretty spot on for me so far (I've been doing side by sides with hydrometer samples just to make sure what I'm getting are useful and accurate data)

The refractometer samples would mostly just be to see if there's any change over a few days. I have no Idea what my FG will be given my efficiency issues. a 4.3% beer ended up being 2.6 in theory

 

[phug]

it looks like a slightly thicker version of the foam left behind on my previous wits after pouring a glass and taking so long to drink it that the head finally collapses, but leaves a layer behind.

 

[GHBWNY]

Had a hefe, that after 2 weeks the krausen hadn't dropped. Someone suggested giving it another week. So, I decided to and the very next day, it dropped. All to say, give it a little more time.

 

[TheMadKing]

Just give it a gently swirl, it should drop immediately.

 

[menerdari]

As for the refractometer, that is all I use now, I ran side by side comparisons for a while and found it to be just as accurate if not more than the hydrometer. I use the onebeer calculator with mine.

 

[phug]

gave it a swirl, 90% dropped right away.

 

[seele01]

New to the forum, and a week and a day in on fermenting.

I guess I haven't done enough research, but the Krausen in my 1 gallon brew jug (did a Brooklyn Brew Shop kit) has not disappeared yet. It is more than ever there. It is all pale puke green and dry foamy/crusty. It has formed on the airlock tube, even.

You are all mentioning the Krausen "dropping". Is it supposed to disappear (drop)? I was already bracing myself for figuring out how to bottle next week through the crusty mess of Krausen. Contextually, from what everyone is saying, is it normal for it to disappear? Or am I mis-understanding everyone?

Total newbie question here...thank you for any help you can give, everyone!

 

[slym2none]

I am not surprised krausen hasn't dropped after 8 days. Give it time, patience is your friend in homebrewing.

To answer your question - yes, the krausen will (usually) settle down to the bottom of the FV forming part of the trub. Sometimes they stick around longer than we'd like, and then drop, sometimes they need a little help, which your case may be: it sounds like the krausen has dried enough to stick to the side of your FV and stay there.

Do as others have suggested, and swirl the liquid around gently a few times, that might un-stick the dried stuff and let your krausen fall.

 

[Gavin C]

Just as a reference to folks not familiar with krausens forming and falling here are some representative images. Reduntant info for many if not all contributors to the thread so sorry for shoving my oar in.

Krausen formed during fermentation.


When fermentation is slowing, it falls back down leaving it's remnant on the side of the FV. Eventually the beer drops clear. It's done and ready to package.

No more Krausen.


NB: Not the same beer

 

[Nickyssix]

I am not surprised krausen hasn't dropped after 8 days. Give it time, patience is your friend in homebrewing.

I agree with the above....The best thing is to leave it alone - the krausen will always drop when its ready. 8 days is not that long - give it nearly 3 weeks IMO..