Over Fermentation

[Atrixco]

I am brewing my second batch of beer. The first one went very well. This batch is a Oatmeal Stout. I pitched my dry yeast at 4:00 PM and by 4 AM my airlock popped off?
I cleaned and sanitized my airlock and rubber stopper. I reinserted the set up and it is holding for now. I was careful to not touch the top or clean without using a sanitized towel. I lost some foam and trube. I cooled down the room to about 50 degrees and the air lock is still in place but I'm concerned as it continues to bubble foam out of the top of the airlock. I'm wondering if I am at risk of contamination or if this will negatively impact the flavor of my beer.
Yikes!!

 

[WoodlandBrew]

Perhaps a slight risk of contamination. Many brewers will switch to a blow off tube to reduce the risk.

 

[jc5066]

I wouldn't worry. At the beginning with so much outward pressure you're not going to get anything in there. Just check it a couple times a day for the first dew days to make sure the stopper doesn't come out. I know some people won't event seal the lid the first couple days for just this reason.

 

[cullen]

What you have described is not all that unusual. Since the foam is going out, not in, the risk of contamination is basically nil. You need to watch out that your airlock doesn't clog - there are many stories of what can happen if too much pressure builds up in your fermenter, all are messy and none is good. The active fermentation should die down within the day, so keep an eye on it and keep the mess cleaned up and you should be fine.

You may need a fermentation vessel with more head space.

 

[3PegBrew]

+1 on the blow off tube idea