Tactics for reaching full attenuation?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by IPeteA91, May 9, 2013.

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  1. IPeteA91

    IPeteA91 Initiate (0) Nov 10, 2012 Texas

    After looking for low lying fruit to improve my beers, looks like I need to finish better (around 1.016 mostly). I've seen raising temps and rousing the yeast, how much to raise temps for WLP001 and when is it safe to arouse the yeast?

    Right now I pitch at 70 and adjust to hold it there throughout, it almost always drops to 68 after krausen falls.
     
  2. IPeteA91

    IPeteA91 Initiate (0) Nov 10, 2012 Texas

    Having a little Elevated IPA right now provided the inspiration to elevate my own brews!
     
  3. Mfedonczak

    Mfedonczak Initiate (0) Aug 18, 2008 Texas

    I wouldnt go any warmer than you are now. Are you pitching enough yeast and shaking or oxygenating your wort?
     
  4. IPeteA91

    IPeteA91 Initiate (0) Nov 10, 2012 Texas

    I pitch 180 billion for 5gal with a starter stirred for 24hrs, and shake for about 5 mins before pitching. I've always feared adding pure oxygen... maybe I'm not oxygenated enough?
     
  5. Mfedonczak

    Mfedonczak Initiate (0) Aug 18, 2008 Texas

    Pure oxygen can help some but I don't think that is your problem based on what you are already doing. What do the recipes that are finishing high look like? Too much crystal malt can cause a high fg. Also are you using extract or all grain?
     
  6. IPeteA91

    IPeteA91 Initiate (0) Nov 10, 2012 Texas

    All grain, 1lb crystal 10 with 16lbs 2-row. My efficiency is a little low so if it sounds like a lot of grain you'd be right.
     
  7. Mfedonczak

    Mfedonczak Initiate (0) Aug 18, 2008 Texas

    That is a reasonable amount of crystal. Make sure that you have an accurate thermometer and try mashing a little lower (150 would be a good starting point)
     
  8. drgarage

    drgarage Initiate (0) Aug 19, 2008 California

    That sounds like a lot of crystal to me. I'd try cutting it in half, just as an experiment.
     
  9. IPeteA91

    IPeteA91 Initiate (0) Nov 10, 2012 Texas

    Ok, sounds like a good reason to start another batch!
     
  10. mattbk

    mattbk Savant (1,111) Dec 12, 2011 New York

    OK, need to butt in.

    If you are making a 5 gallon batch with 16 lbs of 2-row and 1 lb of crystal, at 75% efficiency your OG is 1.092. How close is this?

    Being that you are at 1.016, your attenuation is at 82-83%, not bad. That's 9.9% abv though. Typically, DIPAs have an FG from 1.012 to 1.020. You are dead center. How low do you want the beer?

    This is already a pretty light DIPA in terms of color. Removing crystal will make it even lighter. A DIPA with no malt character will just be a hop/bitter bomb. Maybe this is what you are going for? But, it is usually okay for a 10% DIPA to have some malt character.

    If you really want to lower your FG - lower your OG. OR - replace some of your base malt with sugar. If you take out crystal - add less of a darker crystal to give it some color and body, and a bit of a backbone. The less crystal you have, the drier the beer will be, even if you match the color with a darker crystal. Of course, you can combine these tricks as well.

    Finally, I don't think this is your problem - but pitch more yeast. You should be striving for about 280 billion cells by my calcs. If your 10% beer is a bit hot, this will help.

    Good luck!
     
    JackHorzempa likes this.
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