Beer Forum

I started a low gravity 1.050 Witbier 4/13. The fermentation went strong for the first several days; and has gradually tapered off ever since. The bubbler activity slowed as expected; and today its slow-going. But this is the first time I've seen the kraeussen stall out this long without settling to the bottom of the primary. I usually rack to a secondary after two weeks and start the next ale. So, of course, this one's cramping my style by throwing my schedule off. If the kraeussen doesn't settle by the weekend I'll be tempted to rack it, krauessen or no. Any thoughts on why the kraeussen won't settle? Would it do any harm to rack it despite the 1/8-1/4 inch layer of kraussen on top?

Thanks

What yeast are you using, what temp are you fermenting at, and have you taken a gravity reading? If you're at the expected FG I would cold crash it for a couple days.

Which yeast did you use?

I would think that layer is due in part to the wheat, Im assuming with a wit, in your beer. wheat = more proteins = better head retention.

check gravity and taste it. If it is done, it is done krausen notwithstanding. I've had some krausens that never fell. 1056 seemed to do that for a while. Just rack out from under it and drink up.

I used Wyeast 3944 and the fermometer has been reading at right around 66 degrees. Sounds like it wouldn't hurt to rack it, kraeussen or no. For now, it's only heading for the secondary carboy. So. I'll be giving another couple more weeks anyways.

And I did suspect it had something to do with the wheat. Thanks for corroborating that.

Thanks for all your thoughts.

I've had WLP400 supposedly the same strain do the exact same thing. Huge krausen that took forever to go away. I racked before it fell and the beer turned out pretty good.

I've had WLP400 supposedly the same strain do the exact same thing. Huge krausen that took forever to go away. I racked before it fell and the beer turned out pretty good.

Cool.