Fermentation Temperature

Aug 30, 2003 2 Replies

I am making a honey ale and am concerned about the FG of 1.018. I didn't do a OG as I'm more concerned about getting my sanitation down and did the FG on a whim. So I was prepping to bottle tomorrow when I started reading on recommended temps for fermentation.



This is my second batch of brew but my first batch in the new house. I put the fermentor in the garage. The garage gets to about 75 degrees at the peak of the afternoon and down to about 60 at night. The initial blowoff lasted about 12 hours and started about 12 hours after pitching the yeast.



While doing the FG the beer seemed kind of carbonated for having been blowing off for a week, then reracked to a second fermentor for the past two weeks.



Should I still bottle tomorrow? I realize the worst that could happen is a bad taste in terms of the beer but my airlock is still going about once every 35 seconds or so and don't want to hear any bottles exploding...



Thanks, Les Bowman

formatting link


If your airlock is still bubbling every 35 seconds, it's not done yet!!! Honey ferments slowly, so if you used a significant amount of honey in your ale, it may take a month or two to ferment to completion. The worst that could happen is that your bottles could explode if you bottle too early. Try to be patient, and wait until that airlock stops bubbling!!

Without an OG, it's tough to know if it's done. To be safe, I'd leave it a while.

---------->Denny

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required