Beer Forum

I have a Pliney the Elder clone that has been fermenting for 16 days now and I'm getting bubbles in the airlock about once a minute. I have have never had one go this long before. Did I do something wrong?

Here is the background info:

OG 1.068
Used a 2000ml starter w/ White Labs Cal Ale yeast
Started bubbling 4 - 6 hours after pitching
Pitched yeast at 70 degrees and cooled down to a fermentation temp around 67 degrees.

I can't get Pliney here in Texas so I'm really hoping this one turns out well so I can at least get an idea of what the real thing would taste like. Some day I hope to make it out to Russian River.

Since primary is definitely done, you could bump it up to 70-72 so that it might finish out a little quicker.

Have you taken a gravity?

I haven't taken a gravity reading. I'll definitely do that and try upping the fermentation temp.

Thanks for the info!

Also, since it is a pliny clone, I'm assuming there is some dry hopping going on. Many times when you add dry hops to the fermentor, it introduces a little bit of o2 and will kick up a ferment - a little bit. That could be a bit of what is going on as well.

Otherwise, take a grav. and if it as terminal gravity, and/or near the middle to high end of attenuation for your yeast strain (and the beer tastes good/great) you're ready to package.

The bubbling could also just be CO2 coming out of solution. If the temp warms up, the beer can hold less CO2. VOILA! Bubbles.

A gravity reading will confirm if its through or not.