Increasing or decreasing FG after fermentation

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by GeeL, Feb 19, 2013.

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  1. GeeL

    GeeL Initiate (0) Aug 27, 2008 Massachusetts

    I have a Vienna style lager that is done fermenting and has been lagering for a few weeks. I want to increase the FG. If it were a darker beer, I'd stir in some lactose powder. Not sure how this would go with a lager. I may try it, now that I think of it, I'm up for experimenting. But it might make it cloudy.

    I have a darker beer that is done fermenting and I want to reduce the FG. Adding water would thin it out, make it taste watery, so that's not an option.

    Thanks.
     
    #1 GeeL, Feb 19, 2013
  2. Tebuken

    Tebuken Initiate (0) Jun 6, 2009 Argentina

    Respectfully, leave them as they are.
     
    #2 Tebuken, Feb 19, 2013
  3. BumpkinBrewer

    BumpkinBrewer Pundit (993) Jan 6, 2010 Massachusetts

    I agree with Tebuken. Try to find out why these FG are not what you preferred in the first place and correct on the next batches.
     
    #3 BumpkinBrewer, Feb 19, 2013
  4. VikeMan

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

    I think lactose in a Vienna Lager would be yucky. I'd rather have a thin bodied lager (exactly how thin is it anyway?) than add lactose. Maltodextrin maybe. But even then, why mess with it?

    Options, although I doubt I would really do any of them...
    - pitch a higher attenuating yeast to eak out some more attenuation
    - blend with a lighter bodied beer
    - blend with some other alcohol (yuck)
    - water (already ruled out by you)
     
    #4 VikeMan, Feb 19, 2013
  5. FATC1TY

    FATC1TY Pooh-Bah (2,564) Feb 12, 2012 Georgia
    Pooh-Bah

    Leave it.

    Sounds like a train wreck. Make notes, go back to your brewing recipe book, and next time around make the changes needed to get where you "think" you want to be.
     
    #5 FATC1TY, Feb 19, 2013
  6. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    Blend it with your next lager. :wink: Make something totally drinkable, but leaning towards a heavier beer that will help amp up your first beer.
     
    #6 inchrisin, Feb 20, 2013
    pweis909 likes this.
  7. pweis909

    pweis909 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,250) Aug 13, 2005 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    In agree with inchrisin. I think quick fixes to back correct minor fermentation flawscould easily backfire. A better approach is to blend with another beer that was brewed in a way to compensate. This assumes you are a good enough brewer to do this, and if you are a good enough brewer to do it, what business do you have making a minor fermentation mistake to begin with? A quicker fix is to suck it up and drink.:wink:
     
    #7 pweis909, Feb 20, 2013
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