Averagely Perfect Kölsch - Poll #2 - Final Gravity

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by VikeMan, Apr 19, 2020.

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What should the target Final Gravity be?

Poll closed Apr 21, 2020.

  1. Lower than 1.007 (and write it in)

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  2. 1.007 (with OG of 1.044)

    1 vote(s)
    3.4%

  3. 1.008 (with OG of 1.045)

    15 vote(s)
    51.7%

  4. 1.009 (with OG of 1.046)

    7 vote(s)
    24.1%

  5. 1.010 (with OG of 1.047)

    4 vote(s)
    13.8%

  6. 1.011 (with OG of 1.048)

    2 vote(s)
    6.9%

  7. Higher than 1.011 (and write it in)

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
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  1. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    -> Poll #1 <- determined that the ABV target will be 4.8%.

    This poll will determine the target Final Gravity, as well as the target Original gravity.

    I suggest thinking about residual sweetness, body, and mouthfeel. Even though there is no (group) grain bill context yet, there may be one in your head.

    Here is the formula I used to determine the potential FG/OG pairs.
    ABV = 131.25 x (OG - FG)
    There are formulae that would give slightly different answers. This is the one I used.

    This poll will be open for 48 hours.

    When this poll is done, I will look at the data a few different ways to determine if there is a central tendency. It may or may not be as simple as a plurality would indicate. There may or may not be a runoff(s). It depends on the data. I reserve the right to cast (or not) deciding votes to avoid (or not) runoff polls.

    If you have issues with or suggestions for methodologies used in this project, please send them via PM. Let's keep the threads themselves on topic to the question at hand and not about how you would have asked the question differently.

    The Averagely Perfect Kölsch Recipe so far...

    Target ABV: 4.8%
    OG: TBD (this poll)
    FG: TBD (this poll)
     
    #1 VikeMan, Apr 19, 2020
  2. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    When I homebrew my Kolsch beers I enjoy a low FG since this yields the quality of 'drinkability' (the Germans would say süffig). I selected 1.008 but any value below 1.010 should get you in the 'drinakble' zone.

    Cheers!
     
    #2 JackHorzempa, Apr 19, 2020
    JSullivan likes this.
  3. dmtaylor

    dmtaylor Savant (1,149) Dec 30, 2003 Wisconsin

    FG will depend on yeast choice, so I don't know what to pick. 2565 gets roughly 80% apparent attenuation on average, whereas WLP029 gets closer to 74%. So I guess I'm picking my yeast at the same time as the FG.
     
    #3 dmtaylor, Apr 19, 2020
  4. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Those are actual figures from identical worts?

    My last two Kolsch beers:
    • WY2565: AA = 83%
    • WLP029: AA = 84%
    For both of these batches I had the same grain bill (100% Weyermann Pilsner Malt) and the exact same mash schedule.

    Plus there are more yeast strain choices than WY2565 & WLP029.There is
    LalBrew® Köln Kölsch Style Ale Yeast from Lallemand as just one example.

    Cheers!
     
    #4 JackHorzempa, Apr 19, 2020
  5. OddNotion

    OddNotion Pooh-Bah (1,915) Nov 1, 2009 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    1.007 for me. Light and dry works nice for a summer beer.
     
    #5 OddNotion, Apr 19, 2020
  6. dmtaylor

    dmtaylor Savant (1,149) Dec 30, 2003 Wisconsin

    You want identical worts? Actual results:

    Wyeast 2565: 73%
    WLP029: 78%

    Well, shoot, that's backward now, ain't it! I suppose attenuation is all over the dang board on both of these then. With WLP029, I've gotten as low as 72% and as high as 78%. With Wyeast I've gotten 73-84%. YMMV.

    I'm pretty sure the Lallemand Koln yeast is more closely related to Wyeast 1007 than anything else. Still should make a pretty dang tasty Kolsch though.
     
    #6 dmtaylor, Apr 20, 2020
  7. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Yes siree Bob!

    Because actual attenuation achieved is more a factor of the fermentability of the wort vs. the specific yeast strain selected.

    There should be a lot of discussion on how 'best' to produce wort in upcoming threads:
    • Specific grain bill
    • Mash Schedule
    I believe that is the intention from Lallemand here.

    There should be other yeast options as well here.

    Cheers!
     
    #7 JackHorzempa, Apr 20, 2020
  8. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    After removing outliers...

    Median: 1.008
    Mode (and majority): 1.008
    Mean: 1.0085, close enough

    Calling this for 1.008.
     
    #8 VikeMan, Apr 21, 2020
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