Beer fermenting showing little activity @ 21C

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ageorge

626 posts

Ultimate Geek

#284386 18-Apr-2021 15:55

Hi title says it all.

I have cleaned the brewing vessels, thoroughly rinsed, StarSan and another rinse.

Brew 1 is Lion Ale, #2 is Coopers Lager.

Lager is showing a surface activity a slight foam, but Ale is not showing the usual foam that I would expect, I threw some more yeast in ale last night, but still today it looks very sluggish.

I'd thought the night temperatures could have slowed it down, but I took temps of liquids today and sitting happy 21C.

Are some brews like this as my Coopers Stout almost jumped out of the BV with a big foaming head?

Thanks, Al.

mugs2000

66 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#2694488 18-Apr-2021 16:03

From memory, lagers are supposed to ferment at a lower temperature than ales and take longer.

15 Deg pops into my head and my lager brews took 2 to 3 weeks at this temperature before bottling.

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ageorge

626 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2694504 18-Apr-2021 17:45

mugs2000:

From memory, lagers are supposed to ferment at a lower temperature than ales and take longer.

15 Deg pops into my head and my lager brews took 2 to 3 weeks at this temperature before bottling.

Thanks but this is Coopers Lager which is apparently, just a lighter ale. Anyway, thats the one thats showing activity.

Im just surprised that the Lion Ale is not showing surface bubbling activity; its probably working OK but Im not used to that.

Al.

Gurezaemon

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1336 posts

Uber Geek

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#2694512 18-Apr-2021 18:17

If you aren't already, you could try hydrating the yeast in a clean glass of tepid water with a pinch of sugar or similar - if it isn't looking a bit frothy after 15 minutes, then it could be off.

Some brews just take a few days to get bubbling properly, so I wouldn't stress too much quite yet.

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ageorge

626 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2694523 18-Apr-2021 19:49

Gurezaemon:

If you aren't already, you could try hydrating the yeast in a clean glass of tepid water with a pinch of sugar or similar - if it isn't looking a bit frothy after 15 minutes, then it could be off.

Some brews just take a few days to get bubbling properly, so I wouldn't stress too much quite yet.

Hi matey.

I always prestart the yeast that way if thats what you mean.

For example the first thing I do is mix water and sugar and then add yeast. Then after the BV is filled with goodies, add the fermenting yeast solution.

Cheers, Al.

jpoc

1043 posts

Uber Geek

#2694622 19-Apr-2021 05:59

What yeast are you using?

The kit yeast that you get with the Coopers Lager is not a real Lager yeast and will ferment OK at 21 but will generate ethyl acetate if fermented at 24C or more.

ageorge

626 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2694709 19-Apr-2021 10:28

Im using the yeast that came with the kits eg Lion and Coopers. Except on the 2nd day of no visible activity I added another yeast to the Lion Dark Ale, which has made no change.

Day 3 still at 21C, activity on Coopers Lager, slight activity Lion Dark Ale

Al.

D1023319

524 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#2694781 19-Apr-2021 13:01

Is the specific gravity changing in beer - will show if it is just fermenting slowly.

outdoorsnz

670 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2694785 19-Apr-2021 13:17

Larger is bottom fermenting so might not show much foam. Check the gravity as if it was quite warm then could be finished. Did you give it a good stir at the beginning (once all ingredients / yeast added)? As might have not got enough oxygen to build up a healthy yeast cell start.

I've not brewed for a good 8 years. Was a all grain brewer. Seeing these posts has got me wanting to brew again!