I previously used this yeast in a plastic pail fermentor and then harvested it. This time, I used it in a CAP which fermented in a glass carboy in my fermentation fridge. It has been a month and there is still a good layer of yeast/krausen sitting on top (about a half inch) but all bubbling from the carboy has ceased. It is now been at 60F for a few days completing the D-rest. Is it safe to just push my racking cane through this layer and rack it to the keg? I was hoping this layer would fall once it was warmed up to 60F.
[quote author=White Lab] WLP800 Pilsner Lager Yeast:
Classic pilsner strain from the premier pilsner producer in the Czech Republic. Somewhat dry with a malty finish, this yeast is best suited for European pilsner production.
Attenuation: 72-77%
Flocculation: Medium to High
Optimum Fermentation Temperature: 50-55°F
Alcohol Tolerance: Medium
[/quote]
Uh my limited experience with lager yeast is that when and if it is making Krausen,
It would be normally outgassing thru your airlock in some manner. This strain
is said to be med/high flocculation and I am having trouble getting my mind around
stuff being on the surface of your fermenter with a bottom fermenting strain of yeast…
others may chime in…you have a photo???
It should fall. I recently made a Bopils with WLP800 and it took about a month to finally fall. Did you take a gravity reading?Try tapping around the outside of the fermenter to give it a little assistance. This yeast takes quite a while to drop but it should’ve dropped in a month’s time.
Gravity reading will tell you if you are done with fermenting.
Nothing else will.
I can’t argue with this logic. Let your gravity be your guide.
thanks for the reminder about the gravity reading. But I was concerned about doing anything with the large head (krausen?) still floating on top… I tipped the carboy back and forth slowly a couple times to see if I could force anything to fall… next day I opened the fridge and sure enough, it has pretty much fallen out… Now I feel more comfortable taking the gravity reading ( even though if I would have done so at the beginning I probably would have felt less anxiety ) … thanks for the responses…