Homebrew Report #1

[brtspears2]

One Hour After Yeast
Two Hours
24 hours

American Lite Ale, OG of 1.030.

1# Dry Rice Extract
4# Malt
0.25oz Northern Hops at 20 minutes in
0.05oz Cascade hops at flameout
Safale Dry Yeast

Is my beer dead or did it just finish fermenting quickly?

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

Ummm... a couple of points:
1) What you have there is a carboy for secondary fermentation, primary fermentation should be made in an ummm... well a fermenter. Basically the fermenter should have a lot of air contact. After a few days you're supposed to siphon it over into a carboy like the one you're using
2) When in secondary fermentation, you should have topped it up with water. It's important, for secondary fermentation that there be as little contact with air as possible (hence the shape of the carboy).
3) 24 hours is a pretty reasonable time for fermentation, depending on the amount/type of yeast you're using. You have to let the debris settle now, before you prepare it for carbonation.

 

[brtspears2]

I followed the instructions. It said partial boil instructions: add 2 gallons of water to carboy, then add the wort to carboy when cooled to 130F. Add yeast, shake for a few minutes.

I guess I can wait another 13 days to see if it works out.

 

[Adul]

taste test 😛

 

[brtspears2]

Originally posted by: Adul
taste test 😛

That is what it is down to. 13 days until bottling, 27 days until tasting.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

I don't think it died, it just passed the violent stage. The fermentation usually starts out fast and then settles down. Most of the krausen forms in the first 24 hours and then it settles as fermentation slows. You can't expect too much visible fermentation to occur with only 5 pounds of fermentables. It's a very light beer and there isn't too much sugar to convert. You should be fine, just check the temps. If the room got hotter or colder you might not be at the optimal temperature for the yeast to work.

Raynor is right though, you shouldn't be doing your primary fermentation in a carboy, there's not enough air contact. For the next batch get a fermentation bucket for the primary and then rack it over to a carboy for secondary.

BTW, I hope you didn't pitch the yeast at 130*.

 

[JSang]

is that what beer normally looks like during brewing? :Q

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

Originally posted by: brtspears2
One Hour After Yeast
Two Hours
24 hours

American Lite Ale, OG of 1.030.

1# Dry Rice Extract
4# Malt
0.25oz Northern Hops at 20 minutes in
0.05oz Cascade hops at flameout
Safale Dry Yeast

Is my beer dead or did it just finish fermenting quickly?

Your beer is doing its thing. You had a fast fermentation and the krausen fell quicker than normal, but its going to be all right. rack to secondary and bottle as planned. let us know how it turns out.