Made a kolsch kit this past Saturday, yet it seems it fermented too quickly. No bubbles that I have noticed today. I looked in the bucket and it looks like it is done. I’m giving it another day or two to see if any change. Any comments or advise welcome.
Thanks. ;D
Check the gravity with your hydrometer and record, wait a few days and check again. It could be done, but the only way to tell is measure and taste.
What temp did you ferment at?
It’s been between 70-73F…
That’s pretty warm for a kolsch, especially if that was the ambient temp. Typically it would be low 60’s. Safe bet that is close to being done.
ok, thanks for the info!! greatly appreciated!
I’d advise leaving it alone for at least another week. After active fermentation, your yeast needs some time to “clean up” after itself by metabolizing some fermentation by-products. My standard is to never touch my fermenter for at least two weeks, and even longer for bigger beers. And visible activity is a poor indicator of continuing fermentation. After a couple of weeks, check Final Gravity with a hydrometer; it’s done when you get the same reading three days apart.
Patience, Grasshopper…
And research fermentation temps! You need to be controlling fermentation and fermenting much cooler than you are, especially for a kolsch.
Get a large tub that will fit your fermenter. Fill with a couple of gallons of water. Switch out frozen water bottles to regulate temperature.
This has worked well for me until I can make the jump to a temp controlled chest freezer for fermentations. I was actually able to do a lager pretty damn well this way but I probably won’t attempt that in the summer…
This is what I use for my 30L speidel:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/HOMZ-0409GRBK.08-Storage-Tub-w-Rope-Handles-10-Gal-Black/40736908