We've made beer only few times, and the first few times it came out great. Then the last two times I pour the wort into the fermenter, add the yeast, and then the next day there is foam on top. I don't remember there being any foam on top the first couple of times.
Question 1: Is it normal to have foam (like soap bubbles) on top of the beer during the fermentation process?
Let me give you more details. We're using the Mr Beer brewing keg.
The first time we had the problem we used the West Coast Pale Ale that came with the Mr Beer brewing kit. We bought this kit off of Craigslist and the box looked a bit old, so I wondered if the yeast would still be good. After 3 days the yeast didn't seem to be working and the top of the beer was covered in foam (like soap bubbles). I ended up dumping out the batch. (sigh)
Question 2: Is there anything we could have done to save this batch?
Question 3: Can you substitute baking yeast for brewing yeast in a pinch? (This happened over a long weekend and the brewing store was closed.) It looks like both are the same species of yeast: Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
The second time we had the problem we used a Famous Irish Style Stout kit. I followed the directions exactly and the yeast seemed to be working at first. Then today the beer has foam (soap like bubbles) all over it, just like the previous batch that I thought was bad.
Question 4: Do I need to throw out this batch of beer too? (sniffle, sniffle)
Please help me save the beer!
Thanks.
Question 1: Is it normal to have foam (like soap bubbles) on top of the beer during the fermentation process?
Let me give you more details. We're using the Mr Beer brewing keg.
The first time we had the problem we used the West Coast Pale Ale that came with the Mr Beer brewing kit. We bought this kit off of Craigslist and the box looked a bit old, so I wondered if the yeast would still be good. After 3 days the yeast didn't seem to be working and the top of the beer was covered in foam (like soap bubbles). I ended up dumping out the batch. (sigh)
Question 2: Is there anything we could have done to save this batch?
Question 3: Can you substitute baking yeast for brewing yeast in a pinch? (This happened over a long weekend and the brewing store was closed.) It looks like both are the same species of yeast: Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
The second time we had the problem we used a Famous Irish Style Stout kit. I followed the directions exactly and the yeast seemed to be working at first. Then today the beer has foam (soap like bubbles) all over it, just like the previous batch that I thought was bad.
Question 4: Do I need to throw out this batch of beer too? (sniffle, sniffle)
Please help me save the beer!
Thanks.