Membership questions? Log in issues? Email info@brewersassociation.org

Author Topic: first octoberfest  (Read 1226 times)

Offline zman51

  • Assistant Brewer
  • ***
  • Posts: 127
first octoberfest
« on: November 11, 2017, 06:32:03 am »
Hey all

I brewed my first octoberfest two weeks ago. After I saw some activity in primary, I brought temp down to 50f. A few days ago, it looked like all settled to bottom and wort was clear. I raised temp to 65. Today I checked spg and it is 1.023. Recipe says fg should be 1.015. I taste rested from thief and taste ok but has a "sharp" zing to it. Right now, the beer will only be 3.5%. Anything I can do to get spg down? more yeast? more time?

thx

Offline BrewBama

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 6074
first octoberfest
« Reply #1 on: November 11, 2017, 12:12:18 pm »
Wait a couple days and ck FG again. If still dropping give it some more time. That ‘zing’ might be yeast still working.

If it’s not dropping I would gently stir with a sanitized spoon to rouse the yeast. YMMV


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Offline zman51

  • Assistant Brewer
  • ***
  • Posts: 127
Re: first octoberfest
« Reply #2 on: November 12, 2017, 07:16:04 am »
thanks, will give it a go

Offline a10t2

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 4696
  • Ask me why I don't like Chico!
    • SeanTerrill.com
Re: first octoberfest
« Reply #3 on: November 12, 2017, 09:28:55 am »
Using a hydrometer? Calibrated recently?
Sent from my Microsoft Bob

Beer is like porn. You can buy it, but it's more fun to make your own.
Refractometer Calculator | Batch Sparging Calculator | Two Mile Brewing Co.

Offline el_capitan

  • Brewer
  • ****
  • Posts: 491
Re: first octoberfest
« Reply #4 on: November 12, 2017, 06:25:29 pm »
If you go the route of rousing the yeast, be very careful if you're stirring in a glass fermenter with a metal spoon.  I had to do that recently, and luckily there was no problem, but I was paranoid the whole time!

Do you guys think it would be helpful to give it an oxygen boost at this point, or would that oxidize the beer?

Offline zman51

  • Assistant Brewer
  • ***
  • Posts: 127
Re: first octoberfest
« Reply #5 on: November 13, 2017, 05:12:34 am »
Using a hydrometer? Calibrated recently?

How would I calibrate the hydrometer?

thx

Offline pete b

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 4146
  • Barre, Ma
Re: first octoberfest
« Reply #6 on: November 13, 2017, 05:24:42 am »
Using a hydrometer? Calibrated recently?

How would I calibrate the hydrometer?

thx
Your not so much calibrating as checking the calibration and adjusting if it's off. Simply look at your chart you get and see what temperature it is meant to be used at and test it in plain water at that temp. It should be very close to 1.000.
Also, when measuring the gravity of wort or beer make sure you adjust for temperature using that chart.
Don't let the bastards cheer you up.

Offline zman51

  • Assistant Brewer
  • ***
  • Posts: 127
Re: first octoberfest
« Reply #7 on: November 13, 2017, 06:24:40 am »
ok makes sense. thanks