First Attempt: Woodforde's Wherry!

[At. Ailbhe's Brewery]

Hello folks. I've a bucket of this on the brew for the last 36 hours and I have a few questions that I would be delighted if anyone can tackle. These are all newbie ones so thanks for your patience!;

1. It's Woodforde's Wherry. I have it in a 25l plastic bucket with a bung and an airlock. While the lid has risen, and the liquid I put in the airlock has moved, I have yet to see a bubble go through the airlock. I've checked the seals to make sure they're fully closed on the bucket lid, but I can't guarantee that some CO2 is not escaping somewhere. Is it normal for nothing to come through the airlock yet?

2. I had a sneaky peek inside the bucket and there's a nice foamy head on it. The room would sometimes be less than 18, perhaps down as far as 15-16 sometimes. Will it just be a case of the fermentation taking a bit longer. I've wrapped the fermentor up in blankets to try to keep it warm.

Anything I should be doing, do ye think?

Thanks, Ailbhe.

[scottmoss]

Hi,

Its quite common for the airlock not to bubble as the buckets (fv) are not always airtight. This will not cause any problems as many people don't even use them.

If the temperture drops below 18 it will simply take longer to ferment, you will simply need to take readings using your hydrometer until you get to 1014 or below (mine stopped at 1012).

Many people use fishtank heaters and set the temperture on the built in thermostat. I use a brewbelt as you simply put it around your fv and turn on.

Seems like you have everything undercontrol and enjoy your Wherry!

[At. Ailbhe's Brewery]

the buckets (fv)

Gotcha!

Scott, thanks for the quick and informative reply.

I can't stop looking at the thing, if staring at it could spoil it then I think mine's in trouble! I might take my first hydrometer reading on Sunday, which would be 3 days(ish) into fermentation. Would that be too soon? Also, when taking the reading, any tips? My SG reading was a sudzy mess of 1.042

[scottmoss]

the buckets (fv)

Gotcha!

Scott, thanks for the quick and informative reply.

I can't stop looking at the thing, if staring at it could spoil it then I think mine's in trouble! I might take my first hydrometer reading on Sunday, which would be 3 days(ish) into fermentation. Would that be too soon? Also, when taking the reading, any tips? My SG reading was a sudzy mess of 1.042

1.042 Sounds about right for Wherry, I left mine in the primary for around 8 days i think.

There is nothing wrong with taking a reading is you are eager beaver. You will find after about 6+ days you will get below the 1014.

[At. Ailbhe's Brewery]

Thanks for that Scott, updates will be posted at a later date.

[scottmoss]

Thanks for that Scott, updates will be posted at a later date.

No problem.

[At. Ailbhe's Brewery]

You will find after about 6+ days you will get below the 1014.

Checked this last night and it's down, after 6 days, to 1.018.

However, since that reading there seems to be little sign of fermentation, i.e. the lid hasn't risen and the airlock, while it never bubbled, hasn't moved, which was always a good sign. There are little white bubble spots though which are some bit encouraging.

I'll read again tonight to see if there's been any activity. It has been cold the last few days but I have it wrapped in blankets.

[beery]

Hi there At.

I have brewed a truck load of Wherry in last 2 years and it can be prone to stick at around 1018.

I have found the best solution is to gently stir the yeast up from bottom of FV once a day and patience. No splashing at surface now as that will introduce air into beer and may produce off flavours.

It will usually drop about 1 point per day.

I have left them in FV for upto 18 days with no weird flavours and even managed to get one down from 1042 to 1008, but mostly 1010.

Adding more yeast or even yeast vit nutrient had no positive effect.

As for the fluctuating house temperatures, in the long run its probably best to invest in a 50 watt aquarium fish tank heater for a standard 23 litre FV. But make sure the temperature adjustment is the knob on top type as opposed to the dial on the side type ( these allow the wort to go inside the heater and can be a P.I.T.A to clean and eventually lead to infection.

Hope that helps and good luck with your brewing. Best hobby in world I.M.O.

[At. Ailbhe's Brewery]

Hi there At.

I have brewed a truck load of Wherry in last 2 years and it can be prone to stick at around 1018.

I have found the best solution is to gently stir the yeast up from bottom of FV once a day and patience. No splashing at surface now as that will introduce air into beer and may produce off flavours.

It will usually drop about 1 point per day.

I have left them in FV for upto 18 days with no weird flavours and even managed to get one down from 1042 to 1008, but mostly 1010.

Adding more yeast or even yeast vit nutrient had no positive effect.

As for the fluctuating house temperatures, in the long run its probably best to invest in a 50 watt aquarium fish tank heater for a standard 23 litre FV. But make sure the temperature adjustment is the knob on top type as opposed to the dial on the side type ( these allow the wort to go inside the heater and can be a P.I.T.A to clean and eventually lead to infection.

Hope that helps and good luck with your brewing. Best hobby in world I.M.O.

Welcome advice, thanks Beery. I was toying with the idea of gently agitating it but wasn't sure what effect mixing up the yeast would have. I had planned to leave it in FV for about 2 weeks, it's in there a week today.

Scott mentioned 1.012 there, which is what I'm aiming at. I'll hydrometer it again tonight to see if it actually has been fermenting the last 24hrs.

50 watt aquarium heater, I'm all over it!

[At. Ailbhe's Brewery]

That seemed to do the trick for a while alright. Do I need to gently agitate it every day 'til I get it down to the low teens?

[scottmoss]

What's your latest reading?

[At. Ailbhe's Brewery]

What's your latest reading?

Howya Scott. It was 017 last night after a week in the FV.

[scottmoss]

What's your latest reading?

Howya Scott. It was 017 last night after a week in the FV.

Yes it needs to come down a lot more really. Have you try and warming it up?

[At. Ailbhe's Brewery]

What's your latest reading?

Howya Scott. It was 017 last night after a week in the FV.

Yes it needs to come down a lot more really. Have you try and warming it up?

I alway had blankets around it. I also bought that 50w heater that Beery mentioned. Haven't used it yet though. I thought that tghe yeast would eventually be okay, if not after a while longer.

Will there be an air-tight issue if I use the heater?

[scottmoss]

Hi,

It will be fine as it does not need to be air tight, the layer of CO2 will help to protect it.