Floating yeast?

Discuss making up beer kits - the simplest way to brew.
Post Reply
slurpy

Floating yeast?

Post by slurpy » Fri Oct 01, 2010 6:01 pm

Hi, im on my first brew a Woodfordes Werry.
On Sunday I made the kit up and by Monday it was bubbling away but had stopped by Wednesday.
I checked with a hydrometer on Wednesday and again Today (Friday) and both readings were 1018.
Im guessing I could keg it now but one thing thats putting me off is what looks like lots of floating brown gunk sitting on the top of the brew. I am guessing its yeast? Is this normal cos it looks a bit nasty. I noticed how much of it stuck to the sides of the trial jar when doing a reading and am a bit concerened somethings gone wrong.

User avatar
Kev888
So far gone I'm on the way back again!
Posts: 7701
Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2010 6:22 pm
Location: Derbyshire, UK

Re: Floating yeast?

Post by Kev888 » Fri Oct 01, 2010 6:22 pm

A sort of thin layer of scummy stuff on the surface seems fairly normal to me - at least it is in my brews, though its usually a broken layer that you can see the beer through the gaps in.

Of course that in itself isn't proof that its worked, but it wouldn't suggest any kind of a problem. This Thread may be of interest.

EDIT: It just occurred to me that I don't get it in the trial jar because I either syphon the beer out or on FVs with taps get at it that way - both take beer from below the surface. If you're dipping your jar or a jug or something in then that may simply account for it clinging to the jar's sides (BTW, make sure anything comming into contact with the wort is sanitised though).

Cheers
kev
Kev

Wolfy

Re: Floating yeast?

Post by Wolfy » Fri Oct 01, 2010 6:29 pm

All normal.
It does depend on which yeast you used, however what you have described sounds simply like normal behavior for top-fermenting (Ale) yeast.

slurpy

Re: Floating yeast?

Post by slurpy » Fri Oct 01, 2010 6:42 pm

Top fermenting yeast ! thats the problem then, only thing else I have ever brewed before is turbo cider and the yeast in that sunk to the bottom.
Guess I was expecting the same thing to happen with the Wherry.
btw I sterilised everything thats touched the brew, even my hands lol
Cheers for putting my mind at rest.

Wolfy

Re: Floating yeast?

Post by Wolfy » Sat Oct 02, 2010 3:59 pm

slurpy wrote:Top fermenting yeast ! thats the problem then.
I'm not sure its a problem (as long as you are brewing an ale) as much as its an explanation for your issue. ;)

Post Reply