Should I rack yet?

fxdrider · Nov 23, 2011

Last week, I brewed a Kaiser Alt, which I found at braukaiser's site:

Kaiser Alt - German brewing and more

It's my first all-grain batch. It's been in a 6 1/2 gallon glass carboy for seven days. After cooling/aeration, I pitched two packs of Wyeast 1007 German Ale yeast, and after about 4 hours fermentation was under way with gusto! I've kept it at 62 degrees, and my plan is to rack it to secondary, add gelatin to help clear it, and let it set for two weeks at 50 degrees. The initial fermentation activity fell off after about 72 hours and it's appeared pretty quiet for the rest of the week. I decided to have a look at it this morning, and while the airlock isn't bubbling (or if it is - it's maybe once in five minutes), I noticed a small piece of trub rising up from the bottom all the way to the surface. After about 30 seconds, another little piece floated up from the bottom. I'm assuming this means that my yeasties are still not finished enough yet to rack to secondary. Should I wait a bit longer, maybe until all of the activity stops? Or should I rack anyway?

rico567 · Nov 23, 2011

If it were me, and I were using a secondary (I seldom do, these days), I would take a sample and check it with my hydrometer before racking. Once it's in the secondary, you won't really ferment any lower, it's just for settling and blending / conditioning.

RM-MN · Nov 23, 2011

If you have to ask if it is too early to rack to secondary it always is. Your ferment should be complete before racking and that takes more than 7 days. Give it another week and see if there is any activity showing. If there is, wait again.

JonM · Nov 23, 2011

I see those little yeast rockets/yeast fireworks all the time. They continue long after gravity is stable. In my experience, they don't mean anything and are just kinda cool to watch. Cheers!

DeRoux's Broux · Nov 23, 2011

give it a rouse and you'll see a little more activity. at those cool temps, it takes a little longer. patience grasshopper.....

fxdrider · Nov 23, 2011

Thanks. I'm going to let it sit a few more days while keeping an eye on it.

fxdrider · Nov 25, 2011

I noticed yesterday (Thanksgiving Day) that the activity had ceased, or at least dropped to levels I don't have the patience to detect. So I took a gravity reading in the morning, another one at night, and one again this afternoon. All consistent and stable, so I went ahead and racked it to secondary and added the gelatin for clearing. Of course I tasted my samples - very nice!