[Nykademus]

Hello everyone New here.

I have my first stuck batch of beer and would like some input for correction please.

Cream Ale:

Starting SG: 1.029 (which seems low, but its the first time using this particular hydrometer and all SG have been with the same one)
SG on 10/30/20 - 1.010
Current SG - 1.009

Original (started) yeast was pitched at below 80 deg.

Starting fermentation temp - approx 65 deg
I brought it upstairs on 10/30 where its holding at 71 deg
No joy...


The first night, fermentation started like gangbusters, clogging the airlock and blowing the bung. Once fixed, the next few days it seemed like fermentation was slow, but working.

After a few days, it seems to have stopped.

My question: Should I add nutrient, energizer, re-pitch yeast, or a combination?

Thanks for reading!! Any advice is much appreciated.

[BrewBama]

I have more questions than answers:

What was your expected OG based on grist and your system efficiency?

What temp did you mash that grist?

What yeast did you use?  How much?


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[pete b]

I have more questions than answers:

What was your expected OG based on grist and your system efficiency?

What temp did you mash that grist?

What yeast did you use?  How much?


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All this^^^^^  and it dropped a point in two days so by definition it’s not a stuck fermentation and is at a sg I would expect most beers, including a cream ale to be finishing up.
My advice is to keep taking hydrometer readings until it stops then package. Also, it sounds like you need to check the calibration of the hydrometer. Perhaps the paper inside slid a bit.

[Nykademus]

I have more questions than answers:

What was your expected OG based on grist and your system efficiency?

What temp did you mash that grist?

What yeast did you use?  How much?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Expected OG - 1040
Grains were steeped until target temp of 170

Yeast used - Wyeast 1056 (1 pkg ) that appeared to start fine

Thinking back on the cook, there is one thing that I may have neglected to do properly. That is to aerate. I usually tape over the bung for transport home and when I do, I give the carboy a good shake for a minute, which I do not remember doing this time.

Thank you for the responses already though. They are already helping to build my troubleshooting skills. 

[pete b]

Was this an extract batch with steeping grains?

[denny]

Was this an extract batch with steeping grains?

Same thing I thought.  Both low OG and low fermentability could be attributed to that.

[Nykademus]

Was this an extract batch with steeping grains?

Yes.

Did I post in the wrong forum?

[Nykademus]

If so, I apologize.

[pete b]

If so, I apologize.

Your in the right place, just clarifying the method.

[denny]

Was this an extract batch with steeping grains?

Yes.

Did I post in the wrong forum?

Nope, you're in the right  place but it might help explain things.  If you used the usual extract technique of a partial boil and then adding top up water it wpuld explain your low OG reading.  And extract is often low in fermentability, so that could explain your FG reading.

[BrewBama]

Was this an extract batch with steeping grains?

Same thing I thought.  Both low OG and low fermentability could be attributed to that.

+1.


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[pete b]

aha, its that the water and extract may not have been mixed thoroughly for the og reading, which was the most problematic thing.
Same advice holds, take gravity readings until they stop falling, the range your in now seems like a reasonable expectation.
I think your going to be fine.

[Nykademus]

aha, its that the water and extract may not have been mixed thoroughly for the og reading, which was the most problematic thing.
Same advice holds, take gravity readings until they stop falling, the range your in now seems like a reasonable expectation.
I think your going to be fine.

So its likely that the OG reading was incorrect. I can see your logic path. That being the case it probably will wind up being around 5% abv like it should be, not the 2.4% I was coming up with.

Thanks again for your help!

[ynotbrusum]

Yep - adding too much water (overall ending volume being high) or not mixing it in well enough (stratification) will both give you improper starting gravity (OG) readings.  Otherwise, extract kit or recipes should be pretty much spot on for OG.