Currently brewing my 1st batch - Oatmeal Stout from Brewers Best (looking for another kit to try - open to all suggestions).
As best I could tell from putting sanitized hydrometer directly into the batch, my OG was 1.050. Planning on moving to secondary in 2 days & just took another reading - 1.020. Fermentation stopped after two days, so worried, but figure right now I have a ABV of 4%.
Here's the question - I was hoping for ABV of about 5%. Since fermentation seems to have stopped (no gurgling in the airlock), does it make sense to add an alcohol boost to the secondary fermenter? If so, do I have to re-boil the batch, or can I add the sugar directly to the batch without boiling?
I've read that alcohol boost can seriously effect taste and mouth feel, so I'm wondering if I should bother or not. Even though fermentation seems to have stopped, is it possible that the gravity of my brew will still decrease during the secondary?
Thanks
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As best I could tell from putting sanitized hydrometer directly into the batch, my OG was 1.050. Planning on moving to secondary in 2 days & just took another reading - 1.020. Fermentation stopped after two days, so worried, but figure right now I have a ABV of 4%.
Here's the question - I was hoping for ABV of about 5%. Since fermentation seems to have stopped (no gurgling in the airlock), does it make sense to add an alcohol boost to the secondary fermenter? If so, do I have to re-boil the batch, or can I add the sugar directly to the batch without boiling?
I've read that alcohol boost can seriously effect taste and mouth feel, so I'm wondering if I should bother or not. Even though fermentation seems to have stopped, is it possible that the gravity of my brew will still decrease during the secondary?
Thanks
https://cdn.homebrewtalk.com/images/smilies/occasion14.gif