Black IPA/CDA

brew · September 29, 2017, 03:27:46 PM

Ah bummer I've had this happen before as well - 1.068 is quite high to start out with and only using a single pack of yeast is likely not enough - even for notty... Makes it worse if the packet it old and a lot of the yeast is no longer viable...

When things get stuck in the middle (like 1.030) I think there's often more than one thing going on. Not enough yeast is a good candidate, couple that with complex sugars that are harder to break down and you can get a good stuck ferment. I have also tested PH before though and found I can get things going again by raising the PH and re-pitching. If the yeast can't do it by itself you can help it by getting the PH back above 5 or 6. Bi-carb works, but Sodium Carbonate is better, Potassium Carbonate is awesome. 1 tsp per 5 gallons will raise PH by 1 point. I know brewers don't talk about PH that much but I've found it can make a difference...

Brett is pretty heavy duty and won't have any issues with finishing your beer, but be prepared it wont taste anything like Notty ferment

I'd toss in a tsp of pot-carb, re-pitch another Notty packet (or US-05 as its pretty neutral) and give it another week... I have lots of pot-carb if you want to try this approach. Great if you have a PH meter to test with... (bring a 30ml test sample to my place if you want to test it and dont have a meter).

tomoncanterbury · September 29, 2017, 04:40:12 PM

Quote from: brew on September 29, 2017, 03:27:46 PM
I'd toss in a tsp of pot-carb, re-pitch another Notty packet (or US-05 as its pretty neutral) and give it another week... I have lots of pot-carb if you want to try this approach. Great if you have a PH meter to test with... (bring a 30ml test sample to my place if you want to test it and dont have a meter).

I already tossed more yeast can I just add pot-carb (don't know what that is..potassium carbonate now I get it) at this point?

Thanks again.

brew · September 29, 2017, 05:10:18 PM

Quote from: tomoncanterbury on September 29, 2017, 04:40:12 PM
I already tossed more yeast can I just add pot-carb (don't know what that is..potassium carbonate now I get it) at this point?

Yes pot-carb = Potassium Carbonate - really something to order off ebay or the like... sodium carbonate will do as well - can source from Pool supplies stores... (just makes sure its the pure thing)

tomoncanterbury · October 01, 2017, 11:59:41 AM

I'm wondering if you're right about the pH level. Unfortunately I can't test it right now. I racked to secondary to get it off the dead yeast and re-pitched a pack of notty and nothing is going on in the fermenter.

robcoombs · October 01, 2017, 04:08:20 PM

Quote from: tomoncanterbury on October 01, 2017, 11:59:41 AM
I'm wondering if you're right about the pH level. Unfortunately I can't test it right now. I racked to secondary to get it off the dead yeast and re-pitched a pack of notty and nothing is going on in the fermenter.

The only way I've saved a stuck ferment is by pitching an active starter. Pitching a pack of yeast has never worked for me. Pierre's idea of adding Brett is a good one as well if it's truly stalled.

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tomoncanterbury · October 01, 2017, 05:05:36 PM

Quote from: robcoombs on October 01, 2017, 04:08:20 PMI'mThe only way I've saved a stuck ferment is by pitching an active starter. Pitching a pack of yeast has never worked for me. Pierre's idea of adding Brett is a good one as well if it's truly stalled.

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I'll have to try a starter tomorrow when I can get more yeast