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Author Topic: Time to reach FG/full attenuation?  (Read 2232 times)

Online hopfenundmalz

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Re: Time to reach FG/full attenuation?
« Reply #30 on: February 25, 2020, 07:56:17 am »
Ok, my lagers? I've had them stop bubbling in as few as 4 days. 5 is more usual. A long time ago I was in the 10 days 2 weeks length of time.

Lots of healthy yeast, O2, nutrients in the boil shortened the time.
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TXFlyGuy

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Re: Time to reach FG/full attenuation?
« Reply #31 on: February 25, 2020, 08:30:20 am »
Ok, my lagers? I've had them stop bubbling in as few as 4 days. 5 is more usual. A long time ago I was in the 10 days 2 weeks length of time.

Lots of healthy yeast, O2, nutrients in the boil shortened the time.

After reviewing my logs, the time in primary ranged from 6 to 9 days. Then the time in secondary before racking to the keg was 2 to 3 weeks. The beers always were quite good, based on my notes.

Offline a10t2

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Re: Time to reach FG/full attenuation?
« Reply #32 on: February 25, 2020, 08:36:41 am »
In the absence of a flow meter, aim for just enough flow that  you can perhaps hear some bubbling and see a small disturbance of the surface.

In the absence of a flow meter, I would aerate instead. I don't add anything else to my beer without being able to measure it.

My preferred lager strain (W206) does have a "long tail", as do some others I have less experience with. Case in point, the current batch was at <5°P and starting its temp ramp on day 4, but didn't reach 1.7°P FG until today (day 9).
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Offline Visor

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Re: Time to reach FG/full attenuation?
« Reply #33 on: February 25, 2020, 10:18:07 am »
I apologize if this has already been addressed. Have you taken a hydrometer reading to see where you're at? No offense but if you have been brewing lagers for 20+ years, shouldn't you know what to expect?

No offense taken! Yes, after 20+ years we generally have a pretty good idea as to what's going on. This one is taking a bit longer, with obvious signs of ongoing active fermentation, even after it's 9th day. Hence the question on average time for a lager.

My star-date brewing logs are intact, so will browse to check on historical data.

Never taken a hydrometer reading. Not one time in my brewing history. We always went by sound, smell, taste, and time. Surprisingly, it has worked for us quite well. I know this is blasphemy, and certainly I'll be labeled as a heretic!
   Not a heretic, but perhaps an aspiring Luddite :)? Being an avowed Luddite myself [flip phone and all] I suggest you do yourself a favor and spring for a hydrometer or refractometer. While it is wonderful to have sufficiently developed senses and the experience to successfully fly sans instruments, there is nothing wrong with adding accurately measured data points into your routine - you might be surprised by the results. If my understanding of Lager brewing history is correct, decoction mashing came about more because of an absence of thermometers with which to accurately measure temperatures than because of any special contributions of decoction offered over single infusion mashing. Some modern gadgets are worth adopting, a hydrometer is one I'd put at the top of the list. 
I spent most of my money on beer, tools and guns, the rest I foolishly squandered on stupid stuff!

TXFlyGuy

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Re: Time to reach FG/full attenuation?
« Reply #34 on: February 25, 2020, 12:20:41 pm »
I apologize if this has already been addressed. Have you taken a hydrometer reading to see where you're at? No offense but if you have been brewing lagers for 20+ years, shouldn't you know what to expect?

No offense taken! Yes, after 20+ years we generally have a pretty good idea as to what's going on. This one is taking a bit longer, with obvious signs of ongoing active fermentation, even after it's 9th day. Hence the question on average time for a lager.

My star-date brewing logs are intact, so will browse to check on historical data.

Never taken a hydrometer reading. Not one time in my brewing history. We always went by sound, smell, taste, and time. Surprisingly, it has worked for us quite well. I know this is blasphemy, and certainly I'll be labeled as a heretic!
   Not a heretic, but perhaps an aspiring Luddite :)? Being an avowed Luddite myself [flip phone and all] I suggest you do yourself a favor and spring for a hydrometer or refractometer. While it is wonderful to have sufficiently developed senses and the experience to successfully fly sans instruments, there is nothing wrong with adding accurately measured data points into your routine - you might be surprised by the results. If my understanding of Lager brewing history is correct, decoction mashing came about more because of an absence of thermometers with which to accurately measure temperatures than because of any special contributions of decoction offered over single infusion mashing. Some modern gadgets are worth adopting, a hydrometer is one I'd put at the top of the list.

Ha! Got a laugh out of this! A good laugh is good for the soul ;D. My career flying heavy Boeings kept me on the tip of the spear with technology, and all of it's issues.

Yes, some more instruments for accurate readings and measurements will be added to the Bel Air Brewery!

Thanks for the suggestion.
« Last Edit: February 25, 2020, 01:27:22 pm by Myron Oleson »

Offline Visor

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Re: Time to reach FG/full attenuation?
« Reply #35 on: February 26, 2020, 09:50:15 am »
  Glad I could give you a chuckle, I thought you might appreciate the aviation reference.
I spent most of my money on beer, tools and guns, the rest I foolishly squandered on stupid stuff!