Slightly high finishing gravity, looking for input

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by psychotia, Jun 18, 2014.

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  1. psychotia

    psychotia Pundit (857) Jun 27, 2009 Wisconsin

    Hey all --

    I checked my saison which appears to have slowed/stopped primary fermentation (used Wyeast 3724); final gravity reads 1.014, slightly higher than I was shooting for. My first thought was rouse the yeast, bring the temp up, and let it finish, but then I got thinking about my plans... and my girlfriend veto-ed raising our apt's temp to 85 again :slight_smile:

    My original intent was to toss some chardonnay oak cubes and rhubarb into this guy, and I got thinking that this sweeter FG might benefit from oak tannins and rhubarb adding to the sensation of a drier beer.

    So, what do you all think about this? Do I...
    • Throw in the rhubarb/oak as is (FG of 1.014)
    • Toss in some Wyeast 3711 to let it finish out
    • ... Or do you have a better idea?
     
    #1 psychotia, Jun 18, 2014
  2. VikeMan

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

    How long has it been in the fermenter? 3724 is slow.
     
    #2 VikeMan, Jun 18, 2014
  3. psychotia

    psychotia Pundit (857) Jun 27, 2009 Wisconsin

    Only 10 days, room temp is 70 now. Think it has potential to keep chugging that low? I am in no rush.
     
    #3 psychotia, Jun 18, 2014
  4. VikeMan

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

    People have fermented 3724 at 70F before. It just takes a while.
     
    #4 VikeMan, Jun 18, 2014
  5. psychotia

    psychotia Pundit (857) Jun 27, 2009 Wisconsin

    Awesome, then that's just what I'll do. Thanks for the info!
     
    #5 psychotia, Jun 18, 2014
  6. Beerswimmer

    Beerswimmer Initiate (0) Mar 4, 2013 Texas

    Let it sit, or 3711. 3711 will drop it down to nearly 1.000.
     
    #6 Beerswimmer, Jun 18, 2014
  7. CDennyRun

    CDennyRun Initiate (0) Mar 2, 2014 Washington

    Be patient. I've been letting my medium/lower gravity ales sit in the primary longer than that. In your situation, I'd hang tight!

    Regards,

    Chris
     
    #7 CDennyRun, Jun 18, 2014
  8. ventura78

    ventura78 Pundit (972) Nov 22, 2003 Massachusetts

    Ten days does seem too early to take a gravity reading. I don't take mine until the 4 week mark. If you are still too high at that point, you could try using Belle saison dry yeast to finish it up or the above mentioned 3711.
     
    #8 ventura78, Jun 18, 2014
  9. SFACRKnight

    SFACRKnight Grand Pooh-Bah (3,348) Jan 20, 2012 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    If you like funky saisons opt for brett. But, let me ask the appropriate questions...
    What was your griist?
    What was your mash temp?
    How old was your yeast?
    Did you use a starter?
    If you mashed high, or had a huge og, or used a lot of adjuuncts, or even extract, you could run into higher than expected f.g. but, as vikeman and everyone else has pointed out, just give it time. I don't touch my saisons for 3 weeks when they are clean, a couple months if they have the brett in them...
     
    #9 SFACRKnight, Jun 18, 2014
  10. FeDUBBELFIST

    FeDUBBELFIST Pooh-Bah (1,765) Oct 31, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Lose the girlfriend.
     
    #10 FeDUBBELFIST, Jun 18, 2014
    TickleMeTony, ericj551, SFACRKnight and 1 other person like this.
  11. psychotia

    psychotia Pundit (857) Jun 27, 2009 Wisconsin

    I don't have my notes handy, but it was something like...

    Rahr pale 2-row 9.0 lbs
    vienna 1.0 lbs
    white wheat 1.3 lbs
    gold nkd oats 1.0 lbs

    mash temp 148

    yeast was ~one month old

    starter was 1L

    And you know, sometimes it just takes talking (or typing) things out to realize the logic in my situation. I'm gonna get this one down to at least 1.005, because dammit, i deserve it! I'll check the gravity in another month, then consider raising the temp (suck it, GF) or pitching 3711. Thanks everyone for the input.
     
    #11 psychotia, Jun 19, 2014
  12. psychotia

    psychotia Pundit (857) Jun 27, 2009 Wisconsin

    As for the rhubarb/chard oak idea, i think i'm going to brew a clone of this one, only pitch 3711 instead. This 3724 almost tastes too good to mess with this time around!
     
    #12 psychotia, Jun 19, 2014
  13. ericj551

    ericj551 Pooh-Bah (1,638) Apr 29, 2004 Canada (AB)
    Pooh-Bah

    You also could try an aquarium heater to raise the temp. Just put your fermentor in a tub of water and set the aquarium heater to your desired temp.
     
    #13 ericj551, Jun 19, 2014
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