My First Ag Won't Stop Bubbling

[malbur]

For my first AG (BIAB) i did AndrewQLD's Coopers Pail Ale clone from the recipeDB.
the whole process went really well, chilled down to 24 deg with a wort chiller, drained to fermenter 22L at 1.047, my efficiency was down a bit. Pitched recaltured Coopers Yeast.
Kept at 18 deg for 7 days, racked to secondary for 7 days at 18 deg, took reading 1.008, and what was in the tube tasted and smelt pritty good to me. But it's still bubbling, and that was 2 days ago.
What should i do, should i let it finish by it's self or throw it in the fridge and drop it down to 4 deg to stop it?
The main reason i want it to finish by it's self is that i don't have kegs, so i bottle all my brew, and i don't won't bottle bombs going off in my shed.


Mal.

 

[3G]

1008 is about right for coopers yeast depending on mash temp.
Dont take notice of the airlock, they can bubble due to difference in air and fermenter temperature.

 

[rich_lamb]

Hehe, yeah I've heard that coopers yeast is not too fussy!
Also, when you start AG you can get a lot more fermentable wort than you are used to with extract; until you get a handle on temperature control in your mash.

I agree with you - let it finish.

 

[Swinging Beef]

he he.. this happened to my first AG brew too.
but it was infected

If you are used to extract or kit brews, then I found that the AG ones ferment out quicker and to a lower FG than extract.

 

[rich_lamb]

Infected is the new black.

It's very trendy to be brewing with brett or lacto these days.

(Yeah, an ongoing fermentation can be a sign of infection, but all the more reason not to bottle yet.)

 

[buttersd70]

as has been stated, don't trust the airlock. Take another grav reading, and if it's still 1008 after 2 days, you should be good to go....if it's dropped, it's still working, leave it to finish. There are quite a number of reasons why the airlock will continue to bubble even though fermentation may be finished.

 

[malbur]

Thanks Guys,
I will take a reading when i get home.

 

[raven19]

as has been stated, don't trust the airlock. Take another grav reading, and if it's still 1008 after 2 days, you should be good to go....if it's dropped, it's still working, leave it to finish. There are quite a number of reasons why the airlock will continue to bubble even though fermentation may be finished.

+2 for consistent hydrometer/refractometer readings over 2 to 3 days.

 

[daanmuller]

RDWHAHB

Have Patients young padawan. Just let it ferment out and enjoy