Lack of fermentation???

[beaker11]

A friend of mine just brewed his first batch (Irish Red from Midwest). A few days after putting it in his fermentation bucket, he started freaking out about no airlock activity. I told him to relax and give it another week then look inside and take a grav reading. He opened it yesterday and saw what's in the picture. He didn't take a reading but did say he used distilled water. Could this be what caused the lack of fermentation? Can it be saved? Thanks HBT!

 

[ScottG58]

Airlock is no indication of fermentation. You can see a ring in the bucket showing that there was krausen that rose and fell. Distilled water will not kill yeast. Tell your friend to wait a couple of weeks, bottle and enjoy in a couple of weeks.

 

[diS]

It could be that lid didn't seal well and fermentation is finished. Take gravity reading before any further action.

 

[unionrdr]

I agree. I can see a krausen ring in there,so it def fermented. Take a hydrometer reading to see how far along it is.

 

[Yooper]

I agree. I can see a krausen ring in there,so it def fermented. Take a hydrometer reading to see how far along it is.

Yep. The krausen ring around the top of the beer indicates that the beer did ferment. It's done.

 

[GASoline71]

It'll be ready to bottle or keg in another week or so.

Gary

 

[beaker11]

Thanks all!