First screw-up
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2017 3:42 am
Yes, I'm a newbie.
First, two batches went well.
My third sugar wash mixed 8lbs sugar a cup of molasses, added a tsp yeast nutrient and a package of yeast. As we were going on vacation for a week I thought a perfect time to run a batch as when we got back it should be fine. No, I did not take the gravity before pitching the yeast. I checked on it right before we left and it was bubbling along fine, got back Wednesday and I was getting a consistent bubble every ten seconds or so. Saturday it had almost stopped, siphoned into the pot put the lid on and the Boka and started the heat. After a 30-minute reflux took the first 250ml and tossed. I was getting 90% into the parrot and then the column temp started to climb and the % dropped. after getting only a pint. I tried everything went back to full reflux to try to get the column down turned off the heat etc. Then I had a realization maybe the fermentation was not done. I let everything cool down put the wort back into the carboy and went to bed. Tested it in the morning and sure enough, the gravity was still showing 20% potential alcohol. I added more yeast nutrient and pitched another packet of yeast last evening, unfortunately, nothing this morning. The basement is about 68-72 degrees. I'm thinking it was too cold for the little yeasties to do their thing. any other thoughts on how to fix.
First, two batches went well.
My third sugar wash mixed 8lbs sugar a cup of molasses, added a tsp yeast nutrient and a package of yeast. As we were going on vacation for a week I thought a perfect time to run a batch as when we got back it should be fine. No, I did not take the gravity before pitching the yeast. I checked on it right before we left and it was bubbling along fine, got back Wednesday and I was getting a consistent bubble every ten seconds or so. Saturday it had almost stopped, siphoned into the pot put the lid on and the Boka and started the heat. After a 30-minute reflux took the first 250ml and tossed. I was getting 90% into the parrot and then the column temp started to climb and the % dropped. after getting only a pint. I tried everything went back to full reflux to try to get the column down turned off the heat etc. Then I had a realization maybe the fermentation was not done. I let everything cool down put the wort back into the carboy and went to bed. Tested it in the morning and sure enough, the gravity was still showing 20% potential alcohol. I added more yeast nutrient and pitched another packet of yeast last evening, unfortunately, nothing this morning. The basement is about 68-72 degrees. I'm thinking it was too cold for the little yeasties to do their thing. any other thoughts on how to fix.