Krausen has lasted 14 days, is this normal? Options

[northbound]

Two weeks ago I pitched WLP 001 straight from the tube to a PA with an OG of 1.062. The yeast was slow to start, took over 24 hours however once it did it rocked, I needed to attach a one inch blow off tube.

14 days later there is a lot of airlock activity and still krausen on top of a cloudy wort.

I’ve never had krausen last quite that long, is that unusual?

[Chris W]

Wow- I've had Krausen that long but not too often with 001 and something as low as 1.062. Saying that though- I do not think you have anything to worry about! I expect the beer would be great!

It could be something as simple as a lower temperature- so a little slow fermentation. Also, a long lag time tends to indicate two other reasons. #1 is under pitching- According to mr.malty (http://www.mrmalty.com/calc/calc.html) this could have used a 2 liter starter. #2 is the wort was not aerated enough.

I tend to use a appropriate starter and I aerate with O2 and my lag times tend to be 30-90 minutes and my fermentations are about 3-4 days in normal circumstances.

These suggestions are not about the difference between bad beer and good beer but just suggestions that could make good beer just a little better!

[damoller]

did you add oxygen to your wort?

[northbound]

did you add oxygen to your wort?

I oxygenated the wort using my standard routine which is to pour the wort from one ale pale to another approximately eight to ten times, stopping periodically to scoop foam off the top.

...... I aerate with O2 and my lag times tend to be 30-90 minutes and my fermentations are about 3-4 days in normal circumstances.

Granted my oxygenating technique is primitive, I plan to purchase an air stone next trip down to the HBS and have heard of using O2, do you use medical O2 or the same gas sold at welding supply stores?

[dagomike]

Really, you'll need to take a gravity sample to see what's going on. I've had krausen just sit on top forever, and as soon as I disturbed it a bit it fell.

Just $0.02, I'm sure it's well aerated by your technique, but that doesn't seem very sanitary. You may want to consider getting a drill stirrer as a cheap option or an aquarium pump + sterile filter or O2 system as a future upgrade. (IMG:style_emoticons/brewboard/smile.gif)

[Chris W]

usually welding supplies fill both medical and welding from the same tank- so no difference! lots of posts concerning this if you do a search.

Personally I use those little tanks you can get from lowes or homedepot- I have not had a problem yet.

[JoePolvino]

Normal. I let my primaries got for 3-4 weeks to let it clarify, and the krausen normally falls by this time. Don't feel you have to rush your beer along!

[AUGIE91]

By my experience 001 has a very "sticky" krausen. It has a lot of staying power and will stay there for awhile. Fermentation is probably complete though. Successive hydrometer readings in your anticipated finishing zone will confirm. If you were to take a sample it would probably drop down and dissipate.