NB kit blowoffs

[WoolyBooger]

I have brewed 2 kits from Northern Brewer (sweet stout and caribou slobber) so far and both have blown off. NB kits are the only ones i have brewed that have done this. I take it as a good sign that the fermentation is so vigorous. But does anybody know if there is something about their kits that causes them to blow off more frequently than other kits?

 

[MalFet]

Hmm...it doesn't really work like that. Krausen levels will certainly be influenced by yeast biomechanics (pitching rates, temperature, etc.) and to some degree by wort chemistry (protein content, etc.), but I can't for the life of me imagine why one company's kits would lead to more vigorous fermentations than another. Coincidence perhaps?

 

[jaycount]

Or because it is fresher yeast?

 

[FlyDoctor]

2 out of three of my NB kits have not needed them (including the Caribou slobber mentioned above). Are you fermenting in a 6.5 g vessel?? My American Rye ale was my first to need one. Mine are all extract though...

 

[AaronMaine]

I have done 3 of their kits, none required the use of the blow off tube. I did the caribou slobber as well. I used dry yeast on everyone. And they all came out very well.

 

[nasa258e]

1 of 4 for me

 

[mjmac85]

What yeast have you used for those kits? Might be the type of yeast in those?

 

[msmith92]

What size is your Primary?

 

[fatnoah]

I've done 4 of their kits. 2 needed the blowoff (OGs over 1.080) and 2 did not (OGs around 1.040). One of the batches that required the blow-off was my fault. I put it in a 5 gal secondary instead of my 6.5 gal primary. I figured it would need the blow-off so I set it up and left for 36 hours. When I came home I found that so much krausen had escaped that it over-flowed my blow-off vessel and I had a sticky mess on my floor. Learned my lesson on that one. Make sure there is enough head-space, and try to be home when fermentation starts.

 

[FlyDoctor]

The one kit I did that needed a blow off had an OG of 1.042, those that did not were up over 1.050, not sure the OG matters, but FV size should matter.

 

[Phyrst]

What temperature are you fermenting at? Won't yeast be more active at a higher temperature?

 

[WoolyBooger]

I am using a 6.5 gallon Carboy for my primary. Fermentation temps stay about 68-72 F in my brew closet. Both had an OG of approximately 1.05. In both cases I used dry yeast, Danstar Winsor Ale Yeast for Caribou Slobber and Danstar Nottingham Ale Yeast for the Sweet Stout. Maybe their Danstar yeast is just really fresh and viable. I am using Safale US-05 for the American Wheat that I'm brewing next, so we'll see what happens.

 

[cmybeer]

What temps are they fermenting at? Did you brew them at a warmer time of year? Where were your other kits from? I know Northern Brewer has great turnaround so it could be the fresher yeasties but I've never had a problem with their beers excessively fermenting other then the big ones which should be expected.

 

[WoolyBooger]

What temps are they fermenting at? Did you brew them at a warmer time of year? Where were your other kits from? I know Northern Brewer has great turnaround so it could be the fresher yeasties but I've never had a problem with their beers excessively fermenting other then the big ones which should be expected.

Both were brewed at approximately 68F only a couple of weeks apart. The other kits I have brewed were a couple from Brewcraft and one from True Brew. I brewed a Dopplebock (really big beer) without any problems, however it was a bit cooler at about 60F.

 

[MalFet]

Both were brewed at approximately 68F only a couple of weeks apart. The other kits I have brewed were a couple from Brewcraft and one from True Brew. I brewed a Dopplebock (really big beer) without any problems, however it was a bit cooler at about 60F.

There's your difference. Temperature plays a huge role in rate of fermentation.

 

[WoolyBooger]

There's your difference. Temperature plays a huge role in rate of fermentation.

I also just remembered that the Dopple was made with a lager yeast. Hence the cooler temp.