Membership questions? Log in issues? Email info@brewersassociation.org

Author Topic: How do I stop fermentation?  (Read 4984 times)

Offline egghead

  • 1st Kit
  • *
  • Posts: 19
How do I stop fermentation?
« on: January 05, 2010, 07:32:40 am »
I've been making a 1-gallon experimental batch of a lemon/orange melomel with Lalvin 71B, and it has reached the desired sweetness.  How do I stop it from fermenting any further?  I crushed up 4 campden tablets and added it to the must a couple of days ago, but the airlock is still bubbling away.  Any suggestions?

Offline hamiltont

  • Brewmaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 988
  • Location: Eastern Nebraska
Re: How do I stop fermentation?
« Reply #1 on: January 05, 2010, 08:35:20 am »
It's pretty difficult to stop fermentation once it's going.

Personally, I'd let it finish and completely clear.  Then you could add 1 crushed campden tablet per gallon and rack the mead on to potassium sorbate. Wait a few days, then back sweeten to taste with honey.  Just make sure it doesn't start fermenting again after back sweetening it before you bottle it.
If Homebrew & BBQ aren't the answer, then you're askin' the wrong questions... Cheers!!!

Offline ndcube

  • Brewmaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 612
Re: How do I stop fermentation?
« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2010, 09:41:57 am »
It's pretty difficult to stop fermentation once it's going.

Personally, I'd let it finish and completely clear.  Then you could add 1 crushed campden tablet per gallon and rack the mead on to potassium sorbate. Wait a few days, then back sweeten to taste with honey.  Just make sure it doesn't start fermenting again after back sweetening it before you bottle it.

+1 to all that.

Offline Beertracker

  • Brewer
  • ****
  • Posts: 294
  • ExperiFermenting since 1994!
    • Fellowship of Oklahoma Ale Makers (FOAM)
Re: How do I stop fermentation?
« Reply #3 on: January 07, 2010, 03:10:44 pm »
Try "cold crashing" it in the fridge or snow. If that doesn't stop it then +2 on adding some potassium sorbate to kill the beasties.  ;) 
CHEERS! Jeff
"A homebrewed beer is truly a superior beer." ~ "Buffalo" Bill Owens - American Brewer

Jeffrey Swearengin
Fellowship of Oklahoma Ale Makers (FOAM)
Tulsa, OK USA

Offline dbeechum

  • Global Moderator
  • I spend way too much time on the AHA forum
  • *****
  • Posts: 2914
  • Pasadena, CA
    • Experimental Brewing
Re: How do I stop fermentation?
« Reply #4 on: January 07, 2010, 04:26:07 pm »
Just a note.. sorbate is useless against an already active ferment.

I can't count the number of times I've finished out, sorbated and then back sweetened.
Drew Beechum - Maltosefalcons.com
- Vote in the AHA GC Election! - http://bit.ly/1aV9GVd  -
-----
Burbling:
Gnome is in the Details
*Experimental Brewing - The Book*
Tap:
Peanut Butter Jelly Time
Tupelo Mead
Farmhouse Brett Saison

Offline mtbrewer

  • Assistant Brewer
  • ***
  • Posts: 101
Re: How do I stop fermentation?
« Reply #5 on: January 07, 2010, 07:51:48 pm »
Just a note.. sorbate is useless against an already active ferment.

I can't count the number of times I've finished out, sorbated and then back sweetened.
+1 wait it out, then back sweeten.

Offline Beertracker

  • Brewer
  • ****
  • Posts: 294
  • ExperiFermenting since 1994!
    • Fellowship of Oklahoma Ale Makers (FOAM)
Re: How do I stop fermentation?
« Reply #6 on: January 08, 2010, 12:46:02 pm »
True!  ;)
CHEERS! Jeff
"A homebrewed beer is truly a superior beer." ~ "Buffalo" Bill Owens - American Brewer

Jeffrey Swearengin
Fellowship of Oklahoma Ale Makers (FOAM)
Tulsa, OK USA

Offline mmclean

  • 1st Kit
  • *
  • Posts: 3
Re: How do I stop fermentation?
« Reply #7 on: September 08, 2010, 05:12:31 pm »
My understanding is, the safest way to stop fermentation is to cold crash in a fridge below 40F for a few weeks til the yeast fall out.
Then you can sulfite and sorbate. It’s called "cold crashing" and "stabilizing".

Or, use an absolute filter of less than 0.5 microns to remove yeast.

You’ll still want to bottle up a few 12 oz test bottles, just to check on them every once in a while.