High FG?

I don't think this is much of a problem, but I want to be sure.

The FG's for my last two brews have been 1.016. I checked both batches over a period of 2-3 days to make sure fermentation was completed. Also, one batch was only 3 gallons, and I used a 1 liter starter of WLP001, so I know there was enough yeast.

This FG, although not too bad, still seems a bit higher than the 1.010-1.014 that most recipes call for. Is there any particular reason for this? Also, is this a problem that could cause bottle bombs?

Did you correct for temp? That's really not to much of a difference, I wouldn't worry unless the beers you made call for a FG on the lower end of the spectrum.

How long has it been sitting at 1.016 for? Could be a patience issue...I did the same once.

i did correct for temp.

they sat at 1.016 for 2 or 3 days before i bottled them.

I am guessing this isn't that big of a deal. They still taste good, and that is all that matters. I was just worried about bottle bombs(I had one[1 out of about 40 bottles] with a beer that got down to 1.014).

So can steeping grains raise the FG of a beer? I am assuming that is what is meant by unfermentables.

ghank15 said:

i did correct for temp.

they sat at 1.016 for 2 or 3 days before i bottled them.

I am guessing this isn't that big of a deal. They still taste good, and that is all that matters. I was just worried about bottle bombs(I had one[1 out of about 40 bottles] with a beer that got down to 1.014).

So can steeping grains raise the FG of a beer? I am assuming that is what is meant by unfermentables.

Click to expand...

I think that if you use 100% malt extract, you get a higher FG than a partial mash recipe, which include steeping some grains (unless you steep carapils).

When I said steeping grains, I was talking about crystal, caramunich, carapils etc. I don't have a kettle big enough to do a partial mash yet, although I am slowly but surely saving up for the equipment to make the move to AG.

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.

I never had a batch finish l lower than 1.018 when I was doing extract. And from what I read this is a very common thing. It wasn't until I went AG that I started getting the lower FG I wanted.

Have you calibrated your hydrometer by measuring the gravity of plain water?
It's not uncommon for hydrometers to be off by a few points.

-a.