Fermentation hasn't started

What went wrong? Was this supposed to happen? Should I throw it out? What do I do now?

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LimeyBastard
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Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2004 12:02 pm
Location: MI

Fermentation hasn't started

Post by LimeyBastard »

It seems that, after 16 hours the yeast hasn't really started doing it's job. Normally, I'd give it twenty-four hours before worrying, but, upon inspection, the wort seems almost lifeless. It smells good but has very little foam on top and is refusing to bubble through the air lock. I pitched at 78 degrees and cannot see how the wort could have been contaminated. The current temp. is 72 degrees. Does anybody have any suggestions?
JSGilbert
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Joined: Mon Aug 02, 2004 1:45 pm
Location: Denver, CO

Post by JSGilbert »

What kind of yeast are you using? variety and form (dry, liq.)

If dry, did you rehydrate?

If liquid, did you use a starter?

What was your OG?
Cheers,

Jeremy

"To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,"
Hold a beer in the palm of your hand
And be glad it's happy hour.

Adapted from W. Blake "Auguries of Innocence"
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KBrau
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Remain Calm

Post by KBrau »

The first thing you should do is pour yourself a cold brew and relax. Once that is done I would try to rouse the yeast by shaking up the fermenter. Another idea is to pitch more yeast. You may not have aerated the wort enough or you may have pitched too little yeast. If you used a dry yeast you may not have rehydrated it properly. If nothing works, call in sick from work tomorrow and brew another batch. Good Luck.
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