Making a blonde ale, airlock problem

[brianduranbd11]

The airlock has been releasing gases for about 4 days now it took about 2 for the yeast to activate for a total of 6 days. The recipe called for 7 days of primary ferment. Do I bottle on the 7th day or should I wait for 7 days after the air lock stops releasing gases

 

[troy2000]

The airlock has been releasing gases for about 4 days now it took about 2 for the yeast to activate for a total of 6 days. The recipe called for 7 days of primary ferment. Do I bottle on the 7th day or should I wait for 7 days after the air lock stops releasing gases

I'll bump the thread a little....

I'm a noob, but I've been told repeatedly not to be in a hurry to bottle. Let it rest for a while.... bad things can happen if you prime a beer that isn't done fermenting yet (like exploding bottles) - whereas if it's done, letting it set in the fermenter for a couple more weeks (or even much longer) isn't going to hurt it.

 

[jgonzo108]

If it's still bubbling then don't bottle it. Just because there is no air lock activity, does not mean the beer is not fermenting. Best way to gauge if it is done is to take a gravity reading for at least three consecutive days. If it stays the same then it's done.

 

[Jaybird]

Give it time.... I like 3 weeks in primary myself. Take a hydro reading wait 3 days take another, if no change then your safe to bottle.

Cheers
Jay

 

[flars]

Give it time.... I like 3 weeks in primary myself. Take a hydro reading wait 3 days take another, if no change then your safe to bottle.

Cheers
Jay

About the same time frame with my brews. Sometimes I'll let them go longer if they need more time to clear. I mostly let my beers clear in the primary rather than using a secondary vessel for clearing.

 

[prohl84]

+1 to three weeks in primary. I only secondary if I am dry hopping or oak aging a beer. As many have said on other threads there is no sense in handling your beer any more than necessary and secondary is not usually necessary.

What was your OG? I do not think 4 days is an unusual span of time for vigorous airlock activity.

 

[kh54s10]

The answer is to be sure that there is no longer any fermentation still happening. The only sure way to tell is to use a hydrometer or refractometer and take gravity readings. After all signs of fermentation have stopped wait a couple more days then take a gravity reading. Wait 2 more days and take another reading. If the numbers are the same it is safe to bottle. If you have not reached final gravity and bottle the beer, further fermentation (co2 production) could raise the pressure in the bottles until they explode.

Depending on the temperature of the fermentation, colder = longer, I have seen fermentations take about 10 days. Do not rely on time alone.

Many, myself included feel the yeast will continue working cleaning up off flavors that are created in the process of fermentation. How long this takes is up for debate. Some feel it is done in a day or two after reaching final gravity. Others say 4 or more weeks. I opt for fermenting in primary only for 2-3 weeks then check gravity and package.

 

[unionrdr]

I prefer to leave the beer in primary,but only long enough to hit FG. Then another 3-7 days to clean up by products of fermentation & settle out clear or slightly misty. Especially if using Ale Pails. there lids have no seals & my Maori IPA is likely a goner after nearly 5 weeks. I forgot to use super moss in the boil & it wasn't clearing well. now it's likely a goner. so don't take any longer than you need to to get clear or slightly misty beer before bottling. It'll clear after a couple days in the bottle.