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Author Topic: Where to find target SG?  (Read 867 times)

Offline wortdog1

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Where to find target SG?
« on: March 29, 2021, 03:14:22 pm »
My Northern Brewer instruction sheet for an extract cream ale does not call out a target finished SG.
I see reference to a target in posts and articles, but at a loss to find it.

Offline dmtaylor

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Re: Where to find target SG?
« Reply #1 on: March 29, 2021, 04:01:14 pm »
Welcome to the forum!

The target gravity will depend on your recipe and the specific yeast strain.  If you provide these parameters, we can come up with a reasonable guess for final gravity.  Yet ultimately, since yeast is a living organism, the results can vary somewhat from the target as well.
Dave

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Offline wortdog1

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Re: Where to find target SG?
« Reply #2 on: March 30, 2021, 07:09:52 am »
I gather, you would run this through a software program.

KIT INVENTORY: MAILLARD MALTSTMSPECIALTY GRAIN -0.75 lbs Gambrinus Honey Malt -0.25 lbs Belgian Biscuit MAILLARD MALTSTMEXTRACTS & OTHER FERMENTABLES -6 lbs Pilsen malt syrup HOPTIMUS REXTMPREMIUM HOPS & OTHER FLAVORINGS -1 oz Cluster (60 min) YEAST -DRY YEAST (DEFAULT): Safale US-05 Ale Yeast. Optimum temp: 59°-75° F

Offline dmtaylor

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Re: Where to find target SG?
« Reply #3 on: March 30, 2021, 07:45:34 am »
Yes, you can enter this recipe into any homebrew software and it will give you a good idea of what to expect for original and final gravity readings, etc.  For kits like this, I would expect an extract efficiency of roughly 65%.  Most software assumes 75% but if you are just starting out then 65% is a good starting point that most people will be able to achieve.  Also, the apparent attenuation of the yeast is often estimated to be 75%, but in the case of US-05, this is a very attenuative yeast averaging closer to 83%, which means you can generally expect a lower final gravity from it.  Also worth mentioning, liquid malt extract often is a little less fermentable than dry malt or actual malt.

So..... with all of this in mind, based on software plus my own experience, I would expect about 1.049 to start, and a finishing gravity of approximately 1.011.  This assumes 78% apparent attenuation, which means of the 49 points of original gravity, apparently 78% of that will be fermented and 22% will remain.  If you multiply 49 times 0.22, you get 11, which gives 1.011 for expected final gravity (plus or minus a point or two).  That's another way to calculate it, just ignore the 1.0 in front and use gravity points.

Hope this helps.  Should be a tasty brew.
« Last Edit: March 30, 2021, 07:47:38 am by dmtaylor »
Dave

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Offline BrewBama

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Re: Where to find target SG?
« Reply #4 on: March 30, 2021, 07:57:22 am »
I see your 1.011 and raise to 1.014.

I don’t have faith in the fermentability of the extract syrup so I’m thinking a ~4.5% beer.

Call.

IOW — it’s just a gamble. ...but it’ll be a refreshing pint.


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Offline denny

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Re: Where to find target SG?
« Reply #5 on: March 30, 2021, 08:04:12 am »
I see your 1.011 and raise to 1.014.

I don’t have faith in the fermentability of the extract syrup so I’m thinking a ~4.5% beer.

Call.

IOW — it’s just a gamble. ...but it’ll be a refreshing pint.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Totally agree.
Life begins at 60.....1.060, that is!

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Offline neuse

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Re: Where to find target SG?
« Reply #6 on: March 30, 2021, 09:02:17 am »
My experience has been varied. Early on I was getting poor attenuation with LME beers, averaging around 65% AA with various yeasts, including US-05. After considerable effort to improve yeast health and fermentation conditions, I now get average attenuation around 80% AA (same yeasts). So I wouldn't be surprised at anything in the range of 65 - 80. I hate to have such an imprecise answer, but I think it's realistic.

Offline dmtaylor

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Re: Where to find target SG?
« Reply #7 on: March 30, 2021, 10:33:56 am »
I see your 1.011 and raise to 1.014.

I don’t have faith in the fermentability of the extract syrup so I’m thinking a ~4.5% beer.

Call.

IOW — it’s just a gamble. ...but it’ll be a refreshing pint.

If I lose the wager, do I need to slam my drink?  Cheers to that.  ;)
Dave

The world will become a much more pleasant place to live when each and every one of us realizes that we are all idiots.

Offline BrewBama

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Re: Where to find target SG?
« Reply #8 on: March 30, 2021, 11:20:48 am »