I am 18 hours into my first Russian Imperial Stout fermentation. It’s basically a modified Jamil recipe. 11 gallons in a 14.5 gal conical, with an SG 1.100, apr. 800 billion cells of very healthy 4 gen WLP001, (from local brew pub) 2 min of oxygen at .5 L per min. pitched at 60 f, currently at 61.
The krausen has already taken up all the head space and is just barely getting started! I am afraid to keep the temp this low early in the ferment for fear that the beer won’t fully attenuate later? I currently have a stopper with a 3/8 inch blow off tube attached, but even at a low temp I don’t think it will last long. I am picking up some 1 inch tube at lowe's to take care of the blow off.
Has anyone else had this problem with the krausen bubbles not dissipating with this type of beer? Do you think I will have a problem with the beer not fully attenuating without warming it up to 65 or so?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Matt