35 replies to this topic

[Tankard]

So the beer that I brewed two Sundays ago is currently sitting at 1.020, down from only 1.044. It is supposed to finish out around 1.010. Never had a stuck fermentation. Not sure what to do. After tasting the hydrometer sample, this is probably one of the best beers I've made. I don't taste residual sweetness, but it has to be there for the gravity to be that high. It's an extract version of Biermuncher's Centennial Blonde, but I used LME instead of DME (much cheaper). Maybe I didn't aerate enough? I have a oxygen bottle but I didn't use it. Should I even attempt to bottle this? I'm afraid I'll get bottle bombs. It's not too late for me to dump this batch and brew it again for my trip in early September. The low OG means a quick finish (not this time, though).I should have known something was up when my rehydrated Safale US-05 got off to a very slow start. I thought it was the low temperature, but I'm not so sure. It's been at 70 degrees for almost 2 weeks and it fermented for days. Not sure how it only dropped 20 points.

[Mya]

have you considered repitching?at the very least swirl it gently, to get the yeast back into suspension

[djinkc]

have you considered repitching?at the very least swirl it gently, to get the yeast back into suspension

That's about all I got too. Been too long since I did extract. Maybe that extract doesn't attenuate well.

[Tankard]

That's about all I got too. Been too long since I did extract. Maybe that extract doesn't attenuate well.

It finishes higher than all grain for sure, but not this much higher. I've never had this problem before with other extract batches.I just blasted it with about 15 seconds of O2 and swirled the yeast around. Hopefully that does the trick. It really tastes good, though, so I may try bottling it.

[djinkc]

It finishes higher than all grain for sure, but not this much higher. I've never had this problem before with other extract batches.I just blasted it with about 15 seconds of O2 and swirled the yeast around. Hopefully that does the trick. It really tastes good, though, so I may try bottling it.

And I don't bottle anymore either, except off the kegs. I guess you know to make sure the gravity has been steady first.

[Tankard]

Shit, I just read that I may have oxidized my beer by adding more O2. I may have to brew this again this weekend

[Mya]

Shit, I just read that I may have oxidized my beer by adding more O2. I may have to brew this again this weekend

I used to used alexander's bulk LME almost exclusively and like you I rarely had a problem with attenuation, most likely your yeast is suspectI would consider getting some more dry yeast in there

[cj in j]

Oxygenating an already fermented beer = very bad. I would plan on brewing a new batch this weekend. And go with the DME -- yes, it’s more expensive, but I always had much better results with it.

[MakeMeHoppy]

if it tastes good and doesn't show new activity with the oxygen hit and swirl, bottle it. If you have plastic soda bottles, use them instead of glass. Put the bottles in a cooler or some other contained place in case you get broken bottles.

[BarelyBrews]

IMHO, i would just bottle it up.I have never had much luck adding yeast to change the brew at this late a stage.You said it taste good. Is there any chance your paper slipped down in your hydrometer? I say your done. Your only real choice is to make another really low finish gravity brew and mix it , or drink it as is. I would drink as is, and move on. I have had a brown beer i made do that, with a 1.018FG.Maybe it was weak yeast, or strained yeast. Drink up.

Edited by Kegdude, 12 August 2011 - 04:46 PM.

[djinkc]

As cj said 02 at that stage was probably not a good idea. Easy to armchair QB but that's a nice time to have a keg or two. Carb it up, keep it cold, drink it fast.I wouldn't give up on it but would be careful bottling.

[Tankard]

Dumped it. Going to try again either tomorrow or Sunday. Going to aerate with an O2 tank for about 30 seconds this time and pitch at a slightly higher temperature. Hopefully that will do the trick.

[cavman]

Just wondering if you have checked your hydrometers calibration, it may not have been as high of an FG as you think.

[djinkc]

Dumped it. Going to try again either tomorrow or Sunday. Going to aerate with an O2 tank for about 30 seconds this time and pitch at a slightly higher temperature. Hopefully that will do the trick.

I would never ever dump this early. It may not be your best but may be OK.

[cavman]

I would never ever dump this early. It may not be your best but may be OK.

This. Don't dump until it actually is bad, seriously drink it if it tastes good and drink it fast.

[djinkc]

This. Don't dump until it actually is bad, seriously drink it if it tastes good and drink it fast.

Yeah, early oxidation and lack of attenuation while not great can be drinkable. If you did start oxidation time is your friend.

[BarelyBrews]

Just wondering if you have checked your hydrometers calibration, it may not have been as high of an FG as you think.

I thought i had this thought in earlier Post also.

[cavman]

I thought i had this thought in earlier Post also.

Missed it.

[Tankard]

Since the OG on this beer is so low (1.040-1.044), how long should I add oxygen? The problem with my oxygenation setup is that I don't know the flow rate. I turn it on at such a level that the foaming does not become excessive (there's enough of a flow to generate a good amount of churning inside the carboy, however). I'm just worried that pure O2 is going to thin out the beer too much, since this beer is already quite light.

[MolBasser]

I just blasted it with about 15 seconds of O2 and swirled the yeast around. Hopefully that does the trick. It really tastes good, though, so I may try bottling it.

You prolly just killed this beer in terms of flavor. Oxygen at this point in the process is the enemy.A beer of the gravity you described, should be done fermenting in 4 days tops if pitched properly. I would have just tossed in a pack of dry yeast and prayed.If I were you, I would re brew and chock it up to experience.MolBasser