Did I screw up?

[fightingswede]

Put my first ever batch to ferment about 36 hours ago. I had two "problems". One, is that when I poured the wort into the carboy, I forgot to shake it around to get in more oxygen. Is that going to be a major problem? Also, when I put it aside to ferment, the temperature was 73 degrees. Since the temperature of the room was 68 degrees, I thought it would chill out. However, 20 hours after I set it aside to ferment, I noticed that the temperature was 75 degrees. So, I put the carboy in a tub and poured ice in the tub. The temperature went down fairly slowly -- an hour later it was at 68 degrees. So, I took the ice and tub away.

This morning, 36 hours into this, the fermentation has really slowed. Yesterday there was about two inches of foam and the fermentation lock was bubbling big-time about every second of two. Now, the foam is about 1/2 inch and the fermentation lock bubbles once every 6-7 seconds. The brew is still extremely murky. I can see some settling out on the bottom.

So, is this where I should be? I'm making Northernbrew's Irish draught ale. Or, did I screw this batch up bigtime? Thanks!

[Barley-Davidson]

Welcome to homebrewing and to the forum.

You will be fine on both counts.
From fermenting a higher temps you will get more esters from the yeast, but it certainly won't ruin your beer.
As far as the slowing fermentation, that's all it is. The yeast already finished with most of the sugars so everything's calming down, that's what it's supposed to do.
As for aerating the wort, just do it next time.

What are you planning for your second batch?

[fightingswede]

Next I'm planning to go for a Baltic Porter, which is what I really like to drink, along with various stouts. I thought the Irish ale looked easier to make for my maiden voyage into this, yet still is drinkable beer. Thanks for your answer.

[mr x]

What yeast did you use?

[fireballmatt]

Welcome to brewing! Brew as much as you can, each batch you'll get better and feel more comfortable...promise!

You'll find oftentimes that directions will say "Leave in primary for 5-7 days" I find that generally the explosive fermentation is over by beginning or middle of the second day, and it further slows down into the third and fourth days. What the 7 days allows is for your thrub and yeasts to settle to the bottom and makes racking to secondary much easier as you aren't sucking it all up.

Secondary will settle even more, and hopefully get pretty clear...then you can transfer off the little bit of yeast left there into your bottling bucket and get to bottling.

My newbie mistake with my first ever batch of cider, I didn't understand that when you rack to secondary the whole purpose was to get the liquid off the yeast on the bottom...so I sucked it up too! Oh well...you brew more, you learn more :)

[fightingswede]

the yeast I used was Danstar Windsor Ale Yeast

[Ó Flannagáin]

Welcome to the forum fighting! Don't worry about your brew, it will be fine. Might have a more "fruity" flavor to it thanks to the higher fermenting temps, but should still be tasty.

Aeration is good, but just pouring it in the bucket aerates more than you'd think.

[mr x]

Might have a more "fruity" flavor to it thanks to the higher fermenting temps, but should still be tasty.

Aeration is good, but just pouring it in the bucket aerates more than you'd think.Agreed. I've never used that particular yeast, but I'm guessing an Irish draught is fairly low in O.G. so even if you are a little light on the aeration, it shouldn't be a problem.

Do you have a hydrometer. If you don't, put it on your must have list.

[fightingswede]

speaking of hydrometers, that's another error that I hate to admit. I have one, and in the process of taking the initial reading in the carboy, the f*(*&#ing string came off and so my hydrometer has been floating in the fermenter this whole time. I can't believe that will be a problem, but looks stupid.

[Ó Flannagáin]

hahaha... don't worry about it. You did sanitize everything beforehand though right? As long as the hydro was sani, no worries.

[mr x]

I wouldn't use a string on your hydrometer. They are very sensitive, and a little weight will set them off. As far as floating in the carboy, I do it all the time. No biggie there.

[fightingswede]

My OG was 1.043

[mr x]

You won't have any under aeration issues with that O.G. and a packet of dry yeast. Also you can buy long reach tools for picking up hard to get at items. I have one works well for grabbing hydrometers.

Like this:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000K1GHQ0/ref=nosim/?tag=prontocom60945-20&creative=380333&creativeASIN=B000K1GHQ0&linkCode=asn

[MrMarbleHead]

Hey welcome to the forum, and the hobby!

Sounds like your first brew is going along just fine. You should think about getting a sample jar for your Hydro readings, then you don't have to worry about loosing it in the fermentor.

Also about Baltic Porters, they are lagers and require some temperature control during fermentation. You should read up on how to lager a beer to make sure that you have the room to do so, Really all you need is a fridge to keep it cold in.

Good luck with the beers, and keep us up to date on how they are coming out.

[mdd134]

I have used Danstar Windsor Ale Yeast on a few batches, and I really liked it.
Your beer will be good.