Both times, not reached FG

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by TastyAdventure, Mar 31, 2013.

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  1. TastyAdventure

    TastyAdventure Initiate (0) Nov 13, 2012 Kentucky

    I just moved my 2nd batch of beer to secondary today.
    The OG was 1.061, as is should have been, but my FG was 1.020, when it should have been 1.015.

    To help it along I rehydrated a small amount of dry yeast and pitched into the secondary.

    On my first batch, I had the same problem, 1.021 was supposed to be 1.017.

    What am I doing wrong?
     
  2. JebediahScooter

    JebediahScooter Initiate (0) Sep 5, 2010 Vermont

    Hard to say without more information:

    Extract or AG?
    Grain bill?
    Mash temp if AG?
    Yeast strain? Dry or liquid? Viability? Yeast rehydrated / starter made?
    Wort aerated?
    Fermentation temperature?
    How long in fermenters?
    Correcting hydrometer readings for temperature?

    If you're not already, start keeping good notes. It really helps with trouble shooting and dialing in your process.
     
  3. koopa

    koopa Initiate (0) Apr 20, 2008 New Jersey

    I agree. Grain bill, yeast health, pitch quantity, and mash temps are the main things to consider hear. Please describe those aspects of your process and this fine homebrewing community will be glad to help!
     
  4. TastyAdventure

    TastyAdventure Initiate (0) Nov 13, 2012 Kentucky

    Answers for my current, 1/2 batch (2.5 gallons) BPA now in secondary:

    Extract or AG? i guess it's called "partial" or "mini" mash? I steep grains, remove them, and add liquid extract.

    Grain bill? Steeping grains: Crystal, Munich, Aromatic

    Yeast strain? Wyeast 1762 Belgian liquid, popped 28 hrs before pitched, package well expanded, no starter. Plenty of yeast for a 5 gal., much less 2.5

    Viability? --What's this mean?

    Wort aerated? -Most definitely

    Fermentation temperature? 70 F

    How long in fermenters? -Been in primary for 7 days, just moved to secondary

    Correcting hydrometer readings for temperature? --Hydro readings change depending on temp? I take them at 70 F, wort might have been slightly higher when I took the reading for OG.


    Thanks guys!
     
  5. GeckoPunk

    GeckoPunk Initiate (0) Jul 29, 2012 Connecticut

    If the yeast bag expanded, the viability should be good.
    Essentially, it is the liveliness of your yeast...

    Typically, I transfer from primary to secondary after 2 weeks. You may have some residual sugars still not consumed by the yeast.
     
  6. HerbMeowing

    HerbMeowing Maven (1,295) Nov 10, 2010 Virginia
    Trader

    Crystal can be steeped. AFAIK...Aromatic and Munich need to be mashed.
    Herein lies the most probable cause for the high gravity. Most will leave the wort in primary for at least two full weeks.

    More harm in transferring too soon than letting it ride a while longer.

    Best practice calls for 1) leaving the wort in the primary until the gravity is constant over three days before moving to 2ndary (even then...it's more better to wait a few extra days to let the yeast finish cleaning up after themselves) and 2) fergettaboutit the 2ndary altogether unless you're adding fruit or need bulk storage before packaging.
     
  7. JebediahScooter

    JebediahScooter Initiate (0) Sep 5, 2010 Vermont

    Yep, hydrometers are calibrated for 60*. If you use beersmith, there's a built in correction calculator. Not sure about other software. There are also online calculators:

    http://hbd.org/cgi-bin/recipator/recipator/hydrometer.html

    That said, 1.020 at 70 comes out to 1.021 at 60. But if you tested your OG at a much higher temp (any chance you remember the temp when you tested?), it could have been really skewed on the high end, and your attenuation numbers would be off. Bottom line, as Herb mentioned though, is that it's done fermenting when it's done. Stable hydro readings, whether they're higher or lower than anticipated, are the easiest way to tell if your beer has fermented out. The expected FG isn't always what the actual FG is going to be. Best to leave your beer in your primary for longer, secondary only if you have a reason to do so (avoiding racking when unnecessary is also good for keeping more o2 out of your beer).
     
  8. tngolfer

    tngolfer Initiate (0) Feb 16, 2012 Tennessee

    How do you aerate your wort?
     
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