Under pitched?

telebrewer · Oct 5, 2015

I used Golden promise instead of 2 row this time. I always end FG at or near 1.012. 5.5 gal. batches. My OG was a little higher this time at 1.059.

I pitched 1 packet of Safale 05, like always. I don't rehydrate, just sprinke in. My FG was 1.019.

So my question is, since I haven't changed really anything, was there not enough yeast? Should I rehydrate the dry yeast to increase cell count? Or just pitch 2 packs?

Thanks.

lumpher · Oct 5, 2015

i make beers around that og all the time, with that yeast, don't rehydrate, and they come out fine. did you use lactose or a lot of crystal malt? i know you're not a noob; just throwing it out there

telebrewer · Oct 5, 2015

Well I used 13lbs. Golden Promise and 2 lbs. 10L and 1 lb. 120L. Is that too much crystal malt? That was the choices I had from the lhbs at the time.

Thanks.

slym2none · Oct 5, 2015

3 pounds of crystal malt? What style are you making??? That just seems like a lot to my inexperienced eye...

Gnomebrewer · Oct 5, 2015

Under pitching shouldn't affect the final gravity, it just takes longer to get there. One packet of US-05 is enough for a batch anyway.

You've used nearly 20% crystal malt! Have you used that much before?
Also, what was your mash temp?

cilestiok · Oct 5, 2015

telebrewer said:
Well I used 13lbs. Golden Promise and 2 lbs. 10L and 1 lb. 120L. Is that too much crystal malt? That was the choices I had from the lhbs at the time.

Thanks.

Holy crystal malt!

Your fg seems fine. I hope there's a ton of hops in this recipe to counterbalance the cloying sweetness of that much crystal.

telebrewer · Oct 5, 2015

I've used up to 2 lbs. of crystal malt, not 3. Making an IPA. Mashed at 156F.

So that's a lot of crystal malt huh?

Gnomebrewer · Oct 5, 2015

That much crystal combined with the high mash temp will make a very sweet beer. Not very IPA like - I hope it turns out drinkable for you. 1.019 sounds about right.

slym2none · Oct 5, 2015

*redacted*

Gnomebrewer · Oct 5, 2015

telebrewer said:
I've used up to 2 lbs. of crystal malt, not 3. Making an IPA. Mashed at 156F.

So that's a lot of crystal malt huh?

As a bit of a guide....
You've used about 19% crystal.
I typically use:
Up to about 15% in amber ales;
Up to about 10% in pales ales and bitters;
I don't often brew IPA's, but a mate brews them almost exclusively - he rarely goes over 5% crystal (mostly carapils) and mashes low (148-150).

telebrewer · Oct 5, 2015

The truth is, I was going with organic grain. That is all that was available. Thought I'd give it a try. It's not the best. I'm brewing again on Wed. My last brew was so good, this is kind of a bummer. It's all hopped up and drinkable though.

Going organic to avoid GMO grain. Not to get political, my wife is Celiac and can drink my brews when I use Clarity Ferm. Non GMO grain is something that may help her out.

Thanks for the responses. Can't wait to brew another great one. I have the organic grain. It will be 2 row and a bit of Munich.

lumpher · Oct 5, 2015

Yep, that mash temp combined with that much crystal malt will definitely turn out sweet

Gnomebrewer · Oct 6, 2015

telebrewer said:
The truth is, I was going with organic grain. That is all that was available. Thought I'd give it a try. It's not the best. I'm brewing again on Wed. My last brew was so good, this is kind of a bummer. It's all hopped up and drinkable though.

Going organic to avoid GMO grain. Not to get political, my wife is Celiac and can drink my brews when I use Clarity Ferm. Non GMO grain is something that may help her out.

Thanks for the responses. Can't wait to brew another great one. I have the organic grain. It will be 2 row and a bit of Munich.

If your reason for organic grain is only to avoid GMO, try Gladfields grains (from New Zealand) if you can get it. GM crops are not allowed in NZ.

Under pitched?

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