Using High-Quality Brewer’s Yeast
One of the biggest mistakes you can make during fermentation is using low-quality brewer’s yeast. Not only will this lead to increased beer loss, but it can also result in off-flavors and affect the appearance of your brew.
For best results, use a high-quality starter culture or fresh dry yeast that has been packaged within the last six months. If you’re using liquid yeast, ensure that it has been stored correctly (between 59°F and 72°F) with sufficient oxygen, so it is not stressed before pitching into the fermenter. It’s important to note that different strains have different optimal temperatures for activity. If you’re unsure which strain will work best with your desired style or process temperature range, consult an experienced professional before making any decisions.
Pitching the Correct Amount of Yeast
Pitching enough yeast is crucial to ensure complete and clean fermentation. If you pitch too little yeast, fermentation may stall or stop before reaching the terminal gravity (SG). In such cases, you’ll have a thick layer of yeast at the bottom of the fermenter, which can introduce off-flavors into your beer.
If you notice an active fermentation that’s progressing slower than expected or signs of contamination, such as bubbles in the airlock or mold growth on the surface of your wort, it may be necessary to discard some unfermented wort and pitch fresh yeast. If you don’t have access to another culture, you can use canned liquid malt extract after boiling it to kill any bacteria. Avoid using boiling water from a kettle as an alternative, as it may also kill desirable yeasts present on your equipment.
Avoiding Oxygen and Contamination
You can prevent oxygen and contamination by using a clean and sanitized fermenter. A fermenting bucket with a lid is suitable, but if you don’t have one or prefer not to buy one, you can use a blowoff tube to keep air out of your beer. To prevent contamination, sanitize your equipment before use and ensure that all materials are non-porous so that fermentation is contained within the fermenter, including glass bottles.
Regularly Check the Thermometer
The temperature of your fermentation is one of the most important factors for its success, and it’s also easy to control. Set your fermenter at a warm and stable temperature or use a thermometer to ensure it remains within the desired range. Failure to monitor the temperature can result in over-fermentation (flat beer) or under-fermentation with a vinegar-like flavor, both of which can ruin the batch.
Monitor the Beer’s Progress
If your beer is fermenting too slowly, check if the temperature is too low. If that’s the case, you can raise the temperature by adding hot water at around 110°F to revive the process. Conversely, if your batch appears to be fermenting faster than expected, you can add another yeast pack or two to reduce attenuation (retain more carbonation) and introduce extra flavor to slow down the process.
Preventing Beer Loss During Fermentation to Achieve Great-Tasting Beer
We all strive to produce great-tasting beer, and the first step is preventing beer loss during fermentation.
Here are some tips:
- Use high-quality brewer’s yeast. The yeast should be fresh, healthy, and of good quality. If your beer batch has a pH level higher than 4-5, you may need to add fresh yeast or pitch multiple packets of dried yeast into the fermenter with an equal amount of water (1/2 cup). When using liquid yeast, use only one vial per 5 gallons as they tend to have smaller cell sizes compared to dried yeasts.
- Pitch the correct amount of yeast at bottling or keg filling time, not before. Too much yeast can result in off-flavors due to excessive ester production from diacetyl compounds generated by rapid growth. Conversely, too little yeast may cause incomplete conversion processes, leaving residual malt sugars in your finished brew and resulting in flat-tasting beers that leave residue when poured into glasses.
