I sound like everything is ok. As long as your air lock is still bubbling it is still going. Not really sure of the type yeast you are using but lots of yeast varieties settle to the bottom these are bottom fermenting yeast. As for the initial fermentation it was just a very active fermentation...
I agree buy in bulk and store it away properly and most items will last at lest 6 months.
Wash yeast is a good idea to but i use the novel approach and just make a big stater and save it before it even gets used. I started to do this with the last yeast i bought Safale-04 and have used it for...
I have a stout going right now with coffee in it and the guy at my lhbs said to cold brew the coffee with my recipe. doing so would avoid a lot of the bitterness coffee naturally has and would get a stronger coffee flavor.
But to tell the truth I do not know yet. But that is what i did as...
I just finished off my first batch of ginger beer it was quite good had good flavor just not a lot of the ginger bit.
I back sweetened with lactose is came out very nice.
For your yeast try a good Ale yeast or Champagne yeast I used don't think it was quite best for it but it worked.
Also...