Is it safe to bottle at 1.020?

Schnitzengiggle · 04-09-2009, 07:20 PM

I brewed a stout recipe and posted some questions:

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/12-days-i-still-have-airlock-activity-111238/

This has been in primary for about 3 weeks (23 days to be exact).I am still at 1.020 after a total of about 10 days. Last Saturday I swirled the fermenter and brought the temperature up a bit to see if that would make a difference. It didn't. Flyangler18 commented that, because this was an extract recipe and I used Amber DME, that this may be the end of the road for the gravity dropping.

Am I safe to bottle without getting grenades?

Here is the recipe:

Type: Extract
Batch Size: 5.25 gal
Boil Size: 3.80
Boil Time: 60 min

Amount Item Type % or IBU
4.75 lb Amber Dry Extract (12.5 SRM) Dry Extract 58.06 %
1.00 lb Wheat Dry Extract (8.0 SRM) Dry Extract 12.90 %
1.00 lb Chocolate Malt (450.0 SRM) Grain 12.90 %
0.75 lb Caramel/Crystal Malt - 60L (60.0 SRM) Grain 9.68 %
0.50 lb Barley, Roasted (300.0 SRM) Grain 6.45 %
1.50 oz Fuggles [4.50 %] (60 min) Hops 19.5 IBU
0.50 oz Goldings, East Kent [5.00 %] (15 min) Hops 3.6 IBU
1 Pkgs Irish Ale (White Labs #WLP004) [Starter 1000 ml] Yeast-Ale

Beer Profile

Measured Original Gravity: 1.060 SG
Est Final Gravity: 1.015
Estimated Alcohol by Vol:6.00 %
Bitterness: 23.1 IBU Calories: 269 cal/pint
Est Color: 38.0 SRM

Sum1Stu · 04-09-2009, 07:24 PM

Thats a tough one!

You might want to just keep it in an airlocked carboy and monitor that the SG isnt dropping anymore.

Schnitzengiggle · 04-09-2009, 11:33 PM

1. Would being at 1.020 for 10 days suggest fermentation is complete?
2. This isn't "stuck" is it?

My greatest concern is bottle grenades, It's been alot of work drinking to save those puppies up!

**Edcculus** · 04-09-2009, 11:38 PM

If its been in the fermenter for 3 weeks AND has consistently held 1.020 for 10 days, I think you are pretty safe to bottle.

**Yooper** · 04-09-2009, 11:41 PM

1.020 is pretty typical for a stout. If the gravity hasn't changed, it can be bottled. It's finished!

Schnitzengiggle · 04-09-2009, 11:48 PM

Thanks this is my 3rd brew and I was sweatin it a little!