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Author Topic: Not hitting final gravity goal  (Read 2840 times)

Offline mikemartin53

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Not hitting final gravity goal
« on: July 19, 2016, 04:04:09 pm »
I'm on my second batch, the first being a Coopers hopped extract kit.  This batch is from a Midwest Supplies Snow Plow Porter extract kit.  Brew day was May 29th.  OG is 1.072 (goal is 1.065).

After 2 days of vigorous airlock bubbling, the bubbling almost stopped completely.  SG is 1.032 (target is 1.018).  I pitched another packet of Lallemand Windsor.  No increase in airlock activity.

Day 11: Gave the wort a stir.  SG still 1.032.  Airlock bubbling increased in the next day or two.

Day 25:  Airlock bubbling every 1-2 minutes.

Day 42:  Added oak cubes that had been soaking in bourbon with vanilla beans.

Day 52 (today):  Airlock bubbling every 3 - 3 1/2 minutes (which I understand may not be the result of fermentation).  SG is still 1.032.  Again, the target is 1.018.  The beer tastes good.

Is this beer ready to bottle?  How far off of a target FG is acceptable?

Thanks in advance.

Offline dmtaylor

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Re: Not hitting final gravity goal
« Reply #1 on: July 19, 2016, 04:15:05 pm »
It's done.  When it's done, it's done.  Many extracts have poor fermentability.  That's all this is.  If you use the same brand of extract again in the future, trade some of the extract for plain white table sugar and you'll get closer to the final gravity you wanted.  Or, try a different brand of extract next time.  Also, be aware that Windsor ale yeast is a poor attenuator around 60% anyway, so that's why that didn't help.
Dave

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Offline 69franx

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Re: Not hitting final gravity goal
« Reply #2 on: July 19, 2016, 09:50:04 pm »
Guess I'll be the one to ask how you measured your FG? Hydrometer or refractometer? Only the hydro will give you a proper read after alcohol is introduced without using a calculation to adjust the refractometer
Frank L.
Fermenting: Nothing (ugh!)
Conditioning: Nothing (UGH!)
In keg: Nothing (Double UGH!)
In the works:  House IPA, Dark Mild, Ballantine Ale clone(still trying to work this one into the schedule)

Offline tommymorris

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Not hitting final gravity goal
« Reply #3 on: July 19, 2016, 09:59:45 pm »
Day 52? That's patience.

Offline Stevie

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Re: Not hitting final gravity goal
« Reply #4 on: July 19, 2016, 10:43:06 pm »
If you are using a refractometer, your FG is more like 1.011-1.013

Offline 69franx

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Re: Not hitting final gravity goal
« Reply #5 on: July 19, 2016, 10:57:11 pm »
Thanks Stevie, didn't have the math, but knew it was a potential issue often seen with high FG readings
Frank L.
Fermenting: Nothing (ugh!)
Conditioning: Nothing (UGH!)
In keg: Nothing (Double UGH!)
In the works:  House IPA, Dark Mild, Ballantine Ale clone(still trying to work this one into the schedule)

Offline mikemartin53

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Re: Not hitting final gravity goal
« Reply #6 on: July 20, 2016, 06:13:23 am »
Guess I'll be the one to ask how you measured your FG? Hydrometer or refractometer? Only the hydro will give you a proper read after alcohol is introduced without using a calculation to adjust the refractometer

Hydrometer.  So I guess it's bottling day!

Offline Hooper

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Re: Not hitting final gravity goal
« Reply #7 on: July 31, 2016, 07:32:03 pm »
Heres to Mike Martin...A Brewer
“Stay with the beer. Beer is continuous blood. A continuous lover.”
—   Charles Bukowski

Offline Philbrew

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Re: Not hitting final gravity goal
« Reply #8 on: July 31, 2016, 08:04:23 pm »
Heres to Mike Martin...A Brewer
I'll raise a glass to that.  ;)
Many of us would be on a strict liquid diet if it weren't for pretzels.