And Boom Goes The Dynamite, Big Fermentation Question
Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 6:45 pm
by TheeMattSmith
I made my first high gravity beer yesterday. 1.094. I made an appropriate starter and visible fermentation started within 4 hrs. I awoke this morning with a puddle on the floor and some crazy ass fermentation activity. It was pretty cool except for the mess and the beer loss. I have lost at least a gallon of beer with this.
My question is this
Is this "Normal" for a high gravity beer? If so I will just use a larger carboy. Thanks, now it's time to mop.
Cheers

Re: And Boom Goes The Dynamite, Big Fermentation Question
Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 9:27 pm
by DannyW
You can keep it under control with cooler temps, a larger fermenter, or some foam control drops. Or just plan to mop up after big beers. I learned the hard way to put mine in a tray to catch overflow like that on really big beers with big pitches.
Re: And Boom Goes The Dynamite, Big Fermentation Question
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 7:08 am
by Ironman
Blow off tube
Re: And Boom Goes The Dynamite, Big Fermentation Question
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 9:54 am
by TheeMattSmith
Yup, yup, yup. Used a blow off tube, out had overflowed my catch growler. My fermentation temp was set for 67. I'm not upset about the mess, it's the beer loss that makes me cry. I just want to avoid future losses. I think I will just find a larger carboy our other vessel to ferment in. thanks.
I'm thinking about cats again
Re: And Boom Goes The Dynamite, Big Fermentation Question
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 11:56 am
by spiderwrangler
What size batch in what size carboy?
Re: And Boom Goes The Dynamite, Big Fermentation Question
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 12:29 pm
by TheeMattSmith
5.5 in a 6 I've had oozing with lower gravity beers before but this batch was just going crazy.
Re: And Boom Goes The Dynamite, Big Fermentation Question
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 1:45 pm
by spiderwrangler
Yeah, a half gallon head space get's filled with krausen pretty quick. Anti foam would help, as suggested previously...
Re: And Boom Goes The Dynamite, Big Fermentation Question
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 7:03 pm
by HoozierDaddy
Yeah I won't put more than 5.25 gallons in a 6 gallon carboy. I use foam control also and it seems to help.