Questions concerning Gravity and Fermentation

[Palazar]

Hi all, this is my first post and I have some question concerning my brew.

First of all, I am making a Porter using the Minimash kit from Austin homebrewing. I am now into my 2nd day of fermentation and my yeast seems to have stalled. While the airlock still bubbles every now and then it takes a couple of seconds. The yeast I am using is WLP005 and I've read that it will sometimes need to be stirred up again to resume fermentation. Is this true and should I do this?

My second question is that while I was brewing I forgot to take my gravity reading before pitching and also accidentally added too much top off water (this is for a 5gal kit, I made 5 1/2gal). Will the extra water hurt my beer in a noticeable way and how can I tell when my beer is done fermenting without gravity readings since I forgot to take the OG in the first place?

 

[erichsmith]

If the airlock is bubbling you are fine.

Not taking a gravity before pitching yeast means you will just need to let it go till it completly quits fermenting then condition, bottle and enjoy your slightly weaker beer than it would have been.

Don't sweat it, drink it.

 

[RM-MN]

Your yeast probably didn't stall, it just ran out of the easy stuff to digest. Here's a little more info from someone who knows yeast. http://www.brewgeeks.com/the-life-cycle-of-yeast.html

 

[Trox]

Never use the airlock as an indication of whether fermentation is taking place or not, it will lie to you. The yeast knows what they need to do and will get the job done so no worries.

You also don't need an OG to tell when fermentation is done; it is only needed to give you an estimated ABV. You can tell when fermentation is done by waiting patiently for 10-14 days (longer if you are doing a big beer) and then taking a FG reading; if you don't have a hydrometer you need to get one, the beer will wait until you do. Then wait 2-3 days and take another reading, if the 2 readings are the same then the fermentation has stabilized and it is done. If the 2nd reading is lower then fermentation isn't done so wait another 2-7 days and take another reading.

 

[Palazar]

Ok thanks all. I feel much better now haha.

I'll keep what you guys have said in mind, thanks