My FG reads 1.020, I need 1.017. Worth Worrying About?

This weekend I went to bottle a lager that started fermentation on October 19th and after a week of strong fermentation I pulled the carboy from my temperature controlled freezer for a diacetyl rest at room temperature. The gravity reading was 1.020 and BeerSmith indicates that 1.017 is ideal.
Original gravity was around 1.055 and the yeast is a mix of Wyeast Bohemian Lager (2124) and Czech Pils (2278.)

I decided not to bottle at this point. I sloshed the beer around in the carboy to agitate the yeast and hope this gets me closer to my ideal FG. If the gravity doesn't drop any further in the next 5-6 days should I just go ahead and bottle?

Is there any problem with bottling when you haven't hit your intended FG?

Was this an extract batch? If so, as I have just learned, it is not uncommon for extract batches to finish high.

I have had a few of my beers finish around 1.020. I would have done what you did(ie rousing the yeast) but If you don't have any more fermentation it's probably done

This was all grain mashed for 60 to 75 minutes at 158.

I'd think if you're that close you'll be fine. But, I'd have done what you did - stir the yeast a bit then wait another week or two.

B

158 is on the very upper end. Your FG is about what you should expect. Most brewing software does not account for mash temperature when it spits out your expected FG. I honestly never even pay attention to what it says you should get for a FG. Knowing your yeast, usage of grains and a good understanding of mash temperature will allow you to predict your FG with better accuracy.

+1, with that mash temp you're likely done.

why are you bottling a lager without lagering tho? that should be sitting in the 30s for a few more weeks before even considering bottling.

+1 I also agree with that mash temp your more than likely at FG.

dcp27 said:

+1, with that mash temp you're likely done.

why are you bottling a lager without lagering tho? that should be sitting in the 30s for a few more weeks before even considering bottling.

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I was under the impression that I should be getting the beer off the cake and allow it to lager in the bottles for a couple months. Is that wrong?

maltoftheearth said:

I was under the impression that I should be getting the beer off the cake and allow it to lager in the bottles for a couple months. Is that wrong?

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well bottle lagering is one method of it. most just rack to another carboy to lager though. make sure to let it carbonate first before you start lagering all the bottles.

maltoftheearth said:

I was under the impression that I should be getting the beer off the cake and allow it to lager in the bottles for a couple months. Is that wrong?

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Most of the brewers I know lager in a carboy, and then bottle. That keeps the beer crystal clear with less crap in the bottles.