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Expert: - 3/4/2009


Question
My friends and I are making our first homebrew. This is going to be an Imperial Stout. We unfortunately do not have a hydrometer yet, so its going to be to some degree, guess work. Once the wort was cooled and in the carboy with the yeast, we added the blow off device and left it alone. Unfortunately the house we're working in doesn't have heat so, the temperature was probably below 30 for the first day and a half, until we got a heater. Once the heater warmed the room to around 60, we began to notice activity in the carboy. First of all, do you think this batch is ruined? Second, when should we put the fermentation lock on the carboy? Thanks

Answer
Kenny,

A stout is made with Ale yeast which normally will not function at 30 F.  So untill the house warmed up to around 50 or so the yeast were lets say a sleep.

If you have activity now some kind of yeast is working.

I say some kind of because with out the air lock you have no idea what yeast has gotten in to the batch.

My suggestion is to put the air lock on and see what happens.

Next time add the air lock at once.  I would also recommend buying a hydrometer.  It is the only way you can tell what is going on,

Time will tell as to if the batch is drinkable.  The nice thing is that a bad batch of beer will not kill you.  If it taste bad do not drink it.  If it taste okay then drink it.

Good Luck
Alan

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Alan Ward

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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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