Oatmeal stout has no krausen

[brew_darrymore]

Hi all,

I brewed an oatmeal stout last night. I’ve been brewing for a year and this is my 17th batch. So far all of my fermentations had a krausen with the exception of this one. I am posting a picture, so you can see what’s happening.

Fermentation started within 12 hours. Airlock is bubbling nicely every 2-3 seconds.

It's been 24 hours since pitching S-04 dry yeast, fermentation is actively going, but without krausen. I do not use soap to clean my carboy or any of my equipment. I always sanitize with Starsan. Nothing in my process has changed but it's the first time the krausen is missing.

Here’s the recipe:

5 gallon batch, full-grain, mashed at 157F for 60'. Measured OG 1.050

6lb Maris Otter
2lb Malted oats (Thomas Fawcett)
1lb chocolate malt
1lb roasted barley
0.5lb Crystal 120

2oz East Kent Golding, 60’

1 capsule Servomyces yeast nutrient, 20’

Safale S-04 dry yeast, hydrated for 30’ @ 80F

Chilled wort to 60F and currently fermenting at 60-62F.


Has anyone experienced this? I want my krausen

 

[pdxal]

If it is fermenting nicely who cares if there is a krausen?
All fermentations are different. Perhaps the oats are making it too slick for a krausen to be formed/sustained.

 

[nighteagle1701]

I'm having the same problem with my chocolate milk stout....

 

[brew_darrymore]

Thanks Pdxal, it must be the oats.

Last week I used 0.5lb of toasted steel cut oats in a citra IPA and, again, there was no krausen. That made me think what part was common for both recipes. Different fermenters, different grain bills (but the oats), different yeasts (I used US-05 in my citra IPA).

It must be the oats! I'll do some more research on that.

Thanks again!