So...much...FOAM!!

[deanrallen]

So I brewed a porter last night. I'm using Hefeweizen yeast to get some of those delicious esters. I wake up this morning and there is so much foam I can't think. Two clean valves later and it's still ridiculous. Have I messed something up, or does this usually happen during fermentation? I'd hate for it to be infected, because I'm so stoked for this batch.

 

[kh54s10]

So I brewed a porter last night. I'm using Hefeweizen yeast to get some of those delicious esters. I wake up this morning and there is so much foam I can't think. Two clean valves later and it's still ridiculous. Have I messed something up, or does this usually happen during fermentation? I'd hate for it to be infected, because I'm so stoked for this batch.

How warm is it? How full was the fermenter?

Krausen is normal. Warm temperatures make the yeast create more. Keep the wort as close to 70 degrees as possible.

Set up a blow off tube ASAP!

 

[deanrallen]

Alright. The temperature is about 72°F and steady. I was just worried about infection since this thing is going nuts on me. I left about 10"-1' of space and the bung was set in pretty well. It's just foaming up through my valve...smells great, but kind of messy.

 

[microbusbrewery]

Blow off hose...it's your friend

 

[tektonjp]

Let me guess, first time using a hef yeast?

It is, as you found out, one of the more vigorous members of the family.

 

[daksin]

The temperature in the beer or the temperature in the room? At high krausen your beer can easily be 10F above the ambient temperature. A blowoff usually means your beer is too warm but wheat is proteiny and gives a big long-lasting krausen. Keep an eye on those temperatures though.

 

[deanrallen]

@tektonjp this is my first time using hef yeast, yes. Haha. Startling for sure.

@daksin the beer is at ambient temperature. Maybe just a hair higher. I was thinking the proteins were a contributing factor. Seeing as the yeast are vigorous and I aerated really well, the krausen makes sense now.

 

[drainbamage]

Let me guess, first time using a hef yeast?

It is, as you found out, one of the more vigorous members of the family.

Yes, hefe yeasts are energetic, to say the yeast.

Blow-off hoses are your friend!

 

[deanrallen]

Blowoff hose installed and so far so good. Bubbling happily and no longer making a mess. Thank you everyone!