Ask Mr. Steve

I am making a batch of Oatmeal Stout that I recently purchased from your store. The directions said the bubbling during fermentation would stop in approx a week. Well, the bubbling stopped about 2 days into fermentation. It was bubbling fine until the second day. Do you think something is wrong, or am I ok?

- Duane

Answer

Wow...that is unusally quick. Although a low malt beer with less fermentables will finish rather quickly, Oatmeal Stout is not a low malt beer.

Did you use a liquid or dry yeast? The dry yeast ferment a lot quicker than the liquid. What is the fermenting temperature? Hopefully it's not in a cold place that the temperature dropped below 65F. The ale yeast like to ferment closer to 70F. If everything I mentioned is ok, then i would give the fermenter a vigorus shake and let it sit for a day and see if it kicks off again. If nothing happens, i would rack it to the secondary and keep an eye on the gravity readings to see if they drop at all. Keep me posted as to what happens. You can also call me at (717) 751-2255.

Hoppy Brewin!
Mr. Steve