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Beer/No airlock bubbles

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Expert: - 3/30/2008


Question
I am a new comer to beer brewing.  I started my 4th batch this week (a kit, Brewers Best English Pale Ale) and after 4 days I have not seen any bubbles in the airlock.  I am using a plastic bucket to ferment and have taken the lid off twice to try to reseal it.  There is a foamy mixture on top of the brew which makes it look like it is fermenting.  I have used this equipment for all my previous batches (3) and it worked before.  If there is a leak in the fermenter, will the brew still ferment properly?  Is there any way to check the brew to see if it fermented?  

Answer
Greg,

If you have a head then you have fermentation.  But the only way to tell is to take a second hydrometer test.  This will tell you for sure.

If you do have a leak there is a possibility that there could be contamination but as long as the yeast has taken hold the chances are small.

If you are worried you could add some brewvigor ( a yeast nutrient) to the batch which will help.

I have had some batches that bubbled very little but where fine.  At this point the only thing you can do is take a sample and add brew vigor and sit back and wait.  If the hydrometer has not dropped it is also possible that the yeast you used was old.  In this case I would add some new yeast.  I always keep a couple of packs of dry neutral yeast around just in case.

I hope this helps.

Good luck;
Alan

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Alan Ward

Expertise

I am a home brewer who has been brewing since 2000. For us brewing is a family activity with everyone helping in some small way. We brew mostly all grain batches, but we do some kits. I have built all of our equipment. We bottle and keg. Drop us an line, we will be glad to assist with answer or help you find where the answer is. In October 2008 we opened the Brigadoon Brewery & Brew School at the Texas Renaisance Festival. This is a unique brewpub and teaching facility located on the grounds of the Texas Renaissance Festival in Plantersville, Texas. To our knowledge we are the only functioning brewpub located on the grounds of a renaissance festival brewing using both period specific equipment and modern equipment to brew hand crafted ale and then serving it back to the public. Where we offer hands on training and live period appropriate all grain brewing through out the day. Drop by and we will be glad to answer any question you have. You can checkout the brewery at www.brigadoonbrewery.com or follow on twitter@brewschool.

Experience

Home brewing since 2000. Started with a Mr. Beer kit and worked our way up to all grain.

Former chemistry and physics teacher.

Education:
Bachelors Arts Teaching; Master Instructional Technology
Currently the Managing Member and Brewmaster for Brigadoon Brewery & Brew School.

Organizations
Master Brewers Associaiton of America Texas Craft Brewers Guild American Home Brewers Association Brewers Association

Education/Credentials
Bachelors in Sports Medine from Sam Houston State University Masters in Instructional Technology from American Intercontinental University

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