Some times it just doens't matter

[LarryC]

I am writing this post because I have asked this question in my early days and I see it here a lot. It goes something like "I pitched my yeast yesterday and there still isn't any activity!"

I'm an American and I hate waiting for pretty much anything so I am guilty of asking this question. However, I thought I'd share today's brewing experience to try and relieve some tension some of my other new to brewing friends may have. I brewed the AHS Toasted Coconut Porter last weekend. I pitched my yeast at 70° and put the carboy in the Igloo cooler. I kept checking on it over the next day and a half and there didn't seem to be any activity. Finally after about 40 hours, it started to have noticeable activity and the blow off tube was burping steadily.

To my dismay the noticeably active fermentation stopped after about 3 days. My intent was to rack to secondary after a week and add the toasted coconut so I just stuck with the plan. Well, today I moved it to secondary and checked the current gravity. Final gravity was supposed to be 1.014 and I hit 1.016 - DAMN, I guess it was doing OK even without a hug kroisen or lots of airlock activity. Oh, and by the way, the sample tasted great!

I'll let it sit in secondary for another week or so and then bottle it. Who knows, I might even get another point or two of attenuation between now & then

I guess I'm just repeating what my more experienced brewin' buddies have been saying - airlock activity, kroisen height, etc. don't tell the whole story on fermentation...

 

[marubozo]

True that. I know it seems like many of the discussions here are just a broken record, but it's because it's true. People have been doing this for years and you have to try really hard to get a beer that won't ferment. Even if you don't do things perfectly and it appears there is trouble, usually just a little patience and time will answer whatever questions you had.

Glad to hear yours is on its way to turning out great and hopefully your story can ease the minds of others who may be faced with a similar situation.

 

[OHIOSTEVE]

My ale in the swamp cooler was pitched friday night lagged about 12 hours.. went pretty hard and stopped after 2 days!!! Still have kraussen but zero air lock activity.

 

[iron_city_ap]

GFAROTSABTDWHAHB (Go For A Ride On That Sweet Ass Bike THEN Don't Worry.....)

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

It's the yeast that do all the work, not us. Sometimes we arrive at work on time, but just need to stand around scratching our asses for a while before we get on with the job. I imagine yeast are the same as us, but with little yeast asses and no boss.

 

[LarryC]

GFAROTSABTDWHAHB (Go For A Ride On That Sweet Ass Bike THEN Don't Worry.....)

Hey, I like that - another acronym for the ages...

 

[wyzazz]

@ OHIOSTEVE, I know I've said this before but... ...I laugh every time I read you signature! Never, I repeat, NEVER change it!

 

[3PegBrew]

Hey Larry - Did you check the activity with your hydrometer? Even though bubbles may not be noticeable, the SG will tell you if anything is going on. It is also the key to knowing when to rack and bottle.

 

[sithspitt]

I made a batch a couple weeks ago with very little air lock action. Turned out that I didn't have it air tight.(in a stainless conical) Still made a tasty brew.