5 Signs your fermentation is off (and how PLAATO Pro can help you fix it fast)
In a commercial brewing environment, fermentation is the engine room—and if that engine stutters, everything from flavor to timelines (and profit margins) can be thrown off. Early detection of fermentation issues is key, and with tools like the PLAATO Pro, brewers now have real-time insight to catch problems before they become costly.
Here are five signs your fermentation might be off—and how you can use data to respond effectively.
1. Fermentation Hasn’t Started on Time
What it looks like:
The wort is pitched, but gravity readings stay flat. There’s little to no CO₂ evolution, and the temperature remains static.
Why it matters:
Delayed starts increase the risk of contamination and off-flavors, especially in larger batches where temperature stratification can occur.
How PLAATO Pro helps:
With real-time gravity and temperature readings pushed directly to your dashboard, you can confirm the moment fermentation kicks off. If activity is delayed, you’ll know within hours—not days—and can take corrective action like warming the tank or re-pitching.
2. Gravity Plateaus Too Early
What it looks like:
Fermentation starts normally, but then the gravity stalls well above the expected final gravity (FG).
Why it matters:
A stuck fermentation can lead to under-attenuation, sweetness, and potentially explosive packaging if not caught in time.
How PLAATO Pro helps:
The Pro’s continuous SG tracking lets you visualize fermentation curves in real time. Set alerts for stalled SG readings so your team can respond quickly—by increasing temperature, adding yeast nutrients, or troubleshooting oxygenation.
3. Uncontrolled Temperature Swings
What it looks like:
Sudden temperature drops or spikes during active fermentation.
Why it matters:
Yeast health is extremely sensitive to temperature. Even a few degrees off can lead to ester imbalance, diacetyl production, or incomplete fermentation.
How PLAATO Pro helps:
The Pro’s temperature probe gives you precise readings inside the fermentation vessel—not just ambient tank readings. Set custom temperature thresholds and get notified immediately if anything falls outside your spec.
4. Fermentation Profiles Don't Match Your SOP
What it looks like:
This batch of IPA is fermenting faster—or slower—than previous ones. Gravity is behaving unpredictably.
Why it matters:
Consistency is everything in craft brewing. Variability makes quality control, scaling, and customer satisfaction harder to maintain.
How PLAATO Pro helps:
PLAATO Pro stores historical batch data, so you can compare current fermentations against past profiles. See where things are deviating in real-time and adjust proactively—not reactively.
5. Finished Beer Isn’t Hitting Target Specs
What it looks like:
Even though the fermentation “finished,” the ABV or FG doesn’t line up with your formulation.
Why it matters:
Out-of-spec beer can’t go to market—or if it does, it might damage your brand’s reputation.
How PLAATO Pro helps:
Because PLAATO Pro measures actual extract change over time, you get a more precise fermentation curve and accurate FG. Use this data to back up QA decisions or validate whether a batch needs to be reprocessed or dumped.
The Bottom Line
When fermentation goes off track, it can cost your brewery time, ingredients, and customer trust. With PLAATO Pro, you get real-time, end-to-end fermentation visibility—helping your team make faster, smarter decisions at every stage.
Ready to reduce batch variability and increase confidence in your process?
Check out PLAATO Pro or book a demo with our today.
