[flbrewer]

Yup that's the beer. I have checked the hydrometer w distilled water and it is spot on zero.

I plan on doing a bigger batch of it this weekend.

[Wort-H.O.G.]

Yup that's the beer. I have checked the hydrometer w distilled water and it is spot on zero.

I plan on doing a bigger batch of it this weekend.

ok. and it was the California ale yeast you used? 

[flbrewer]

Yes

[Wort-H.O.G.]

Yes

i've read people getting into the mid to high 80's ADT with california ale. anyway, as we discussed, try the beer and perhaps get your mash temp in the 150-151F range if you want less attenuation on the next batch.

couple things could have happened on your pre boil and post boil gravity-wort was thoroughly mixed for accurate representation of gravity, and or you boild off more and had a more concentrated wort. taking your gravity reading at first boil should get you an accurate reading, and then reading at flameout. i also take a refractometer reading once i transfer to carboy and its all mixed up.

[denny]

So a quick update, I believe fermentation is pretty much done (confirming in a couple of days) and I'm at 1.004! What a low FG considering I started with 1.056, which Beersmith tells me is about 76% efficiency.

It sure doesn't taste like 6.83%, so I'm thinking my FG reading was off somehow. Any thoughts?

Trust your hydrometer.  It's more accurate than your taste.  A 1.056 beer could easily go to 1.004 with the mash schedule you used.  I don't recall the yeast, but something like US05 would certainly make it possible.

[flbrewer]

Ok good info. I will ensure I really mix up the pre boil wort before taking a reading. I'll also wait until the wort is really mixed up in the carboy to draw a post boil reading.

[Wort-H.O.G.]

So a quick update, I believe fermentation is pretty much done (confirming in a couple of days) and I'm at 1.004! What a low FG considering I started with 1.056, which Beersmith tells me is about 76% efficiency.

It sure doesn't taste like 6.83%, so I'm thinking my FG reading was off somehow. Any thoughts?

Trust your hydrometer.  It's more accurate than your taste.  A 1.056 beer could easily go to 1.004 with the mash schedule you used.  I don't recall the yeast, but something like US05 would certainly make it possible.

used California ale

[JT]

My last two ales with 001 and 1056 came in at 84 and 85 % attenuation. 

[denny]

Ok good info. I will ensure I really mix up the pre boil wort before taking a reading. I'll also wait until the wort is really mixed up in the carboy to draw a post boil reading.

Unless you do a small boil and top up, there's no reason to worry about mixing post boil.  For the preboil reading, just wait until it boils for a minute or so then take a reading.  The boil will mix it thoroughly.

[denny]

So a quick update, I believe fermentation is pretty much done (confirming in a couple of days) and I'm at 1.004! What a low FG considering I started with 1.056, which Beersmith tells me is about 76% efficiency.

It sure doesn't taste like 6.83%, so I'm thinking my FG reading was off somehow. Any thoughts?

Trust your hydrometer.  It's more accurate than your taste.  A 1.056 beer could easily go to 1.004 with the mash schedule you used.  I don't recall the yeast, but something like US05 would certainly make it possible.

used California ale

OK, then given the mash temp his numbers are totally believable.

[Wort-H.O.G.]

Ok good info. I will ensure I really mix up the pre boil wort before taking a reading. I'll also wait until the wort is really mixed up in the carboy to draw a post boil reading.

Unless you do a small boil and top up, there's no reason to worry about mixing post boil.  For the preboil reading, just wait until it boils for a minute or so then take a reading.  The boil will mix it thoroughly.

im a refractometer guy.for me,  i can say having taking multiple reading at different points in the process, that accuracy and consistency of the gravity readings were when post boil was cooled, trub settled, transferred and then take my final reading (refractometer compared to hydrometer).

[flbrewer]

So a quick update, I believe fermentation is pretty much done (confirming in a couple of days) and I'm at 1.004! What a low FG considering I started with 1.056, which Beersmith tells me is about 76% efficiency.

It sure doesn't taste like 6.83%, so I'm thinking my FG reading was off somehow. Any thoughts?

Trust your hydrometer.  It's more accurate than your taste.  A 1.056 beer could easily go to 1.004 with the mash schedule you used.  I don't recall the yeast, but something like US05 would certainly make it possible.

used California ale

OK, then given the mash temp his numbers are totally believable.

I should mention that I mashed for 75 minutes if that matters.

[Wort-H.O.G.]

So a quick update, I believe fermentation is pretty much done (confirming in a couple of days) and I'm at 1.004! What a low FG considering I started with 1.056, which Beersmith tells me is about 76% efficiency.

It sure doesn't taste like 6.83%, so I'm thinking my FG reading was off somehow. Any thoughts?

Trust your hydrometer.  It's more accurate than your taste.  A 1.056 beer could easily go to 1.004 with the mash schedule you used.  I don't recall the yeast, but something like US05 would certainly make it possible.

used California ale

OK, then given the mash temp his numbers are totally believable.

I should mention that I mashed for 75 minutes if that matters.

only that the extended time at lower mash temp helped ensure your maximum potential for conversion given your grist and crush. the estimates in software for OG and other are just that..estimates. your practices and variables will determine reality that is repeatable.

[denny]

im a refractometer guy.for me,  i can say having taking multiple reading at different points in the process, that accuracy and consistency of the gravity readings were when post boil was cooled, trub settled, transferred and then take my final reading (refractometer compared to hydrometer).

My experience with a hydrometer is that I get the same reading in each of those situations.  I take a reading during the last minute or so if the boil to be sure I'm on target.  I always get the same reading after the wort is chilled.

[Wort-H.O.G.]

im a refractometer guy.for me,  i can say having taking multiple reading at different points in the process, that accuracy and consistency of the gravity readings were when post boil was cooled, trub settled, transferred and then take my final reading (refractometer compared to hydrometer).

My experience with a hydrometer is that I get the same reading in each of those situations.  I take a reading during the last minute or so if the boil to be sure I'm on target.  I always get the same reading after the wort is chilled.

makes sense-im working with a samller sample size.