Home Brewers

[Hopvol]

Got another Cream Ale kit on the way. After that Ill probably do another Kolsch and maybe an Irish Blonde. Then it should be about time for the fall beers. Gotta get the Pumpkin Ale ready.

[USAF_Vol]

After 48 hours I finally have signs of fermentation. I am getting a bubble probably a minute LOL. Very nervous 48 hours. I read that ringwood yeast strain starts slow but worried still.

I took it out of the swamp cooler to raise the temp, its at 74 right now, top of the charts ferm wise, depending how fermentation goes I may put it back in a cool it down.

The liquid yeast has been good but this may make me switch. I need to do starters from now on.

Darth/Steve, what do you use? Direct pitch liquid or dry

[Hopvol]

Originally Posted by USAF_Vol

After 48 hours I finally have signs of fermentation. I am getting a bubble probably a minute LOL. Very nervous 48 hours. I read that ringwood yeast strain starts slow but worried still.

I took it out of the swamp cooler to raise the temp, its at 74 right now, top of the charts ferm wise, depending how fermentation goes I may put it back in a cool it down.

The liquid yeast has been good but this may make me switch. I need to do starters from now on.

Darth/Steve, what do you use? Direct pitch liquid or dry

I use dry and wyeast smack packs. Lately Ive been using mostly the smack packs. Ive never had any problems with either.

[USAF_Vol]

Ok. Worrying is over. I am at full fermentation. Just put it back in the cooler to lower it and settle in.

Very nerve racking having to wait close to 72 hrs for signs if life. I imagined everything that could have gone wrong.

[Hopvol]

Originally Posted by USAF_Vol

Ok. Worrying is over. I am at full fermentation. Just put it back in the cooler to lower it and settle in.

Very nerve racking having to wait close to 72 hrs for signs if life. I imagined everything that could have gone wrong.

That's strange Ive never had one take that long to start. Sounds like its ok though. Do you think the temp could have been too low in the cooler?

[USAF_Vol]

According to wyeast labs it will take 48 hrs to start. Unless you make a starter which I didn't.

I read a lot about it and everyone always reports a slow two to three day start.

I thought the temps were it but I was in the recommended temps the whole time. 64-74. I did bring it up to the max 74 overnight so it may have needed that.

[Hopvol]

Ive read that too about 48 hours but Ive never had it actually take that long. I have only fermented at room temp though 72-74. Now that Im kegging Im going to build a keezer then Ill be able to use my beer fridge for lagering once I get my kegs out of it.

[USAF_Vol]

I want to build a keezer eventually. That swamp cooler dropped it from 74 to 70 and I have not used any ice packs.

That strain of yeast is odd. Not sure how I like it so far. Will be up to the taste. I'll let you know.

[Hopvol]

My cream ale came in yesterday and the smack pack is completely swelled, Wyeast 1056. I thought the nutrient bubble had been broken in shipping so I talked to a guy at Midwest and he said that strain is known for swelling and its because of the heat and it should be fine. He told me to put it in the fridge and when I get ready to brew to vent the pack then break the nutrient bubble and let it sit out for a few hours. This thing was swelled really tight though. Has anyone else had this happen?

[USAF_Vol]

I had one swell. They told me the same thing and it was fine. I put it in the fridge and it went down just a little.

I had another pack show up with the inner pouch broke. Northern brewer replaced it no questions asked.

[USAF_Vol]

Can you make a starter to make sure your yeast is viable? I watched a YouTube video yesterday about it. Very simple.

Then if your yeast is stuck you will know before you brew.

[Hopvol]

Yea, I may make a starter. I think the next time I use liquid yeast Ill get it from Northern. At least they pack it with a frozen gel pack. Doesn't help that we're setting heat records every day here.

[USAF_Vol]

You will know if your yeast is good before you brew so I would do a starter. I am doing that from now on.

[USAF_Vol]

Going to rack that porter to a secondary today. That ringwood yeast took 72 hrs to get started but it fermented just fine when it did.

Any other homebrew activity today?

[Hopvol]

Originally Posted by USAF_Vol

Going to rack that porter to a secondary today. That ringwood yeast took 72 hrs to get started but it fermented just fine when it did.

Any other homebrew activity today?

I brewed some Cream Ale on Sat. EPA going in the keg this weekend.