Well That Was Dumb...

[WildPirate]

The last three batches I've made have all come out to about 3% ABV, about half of what each should have ended up. I've done an extract with specialty grains, mash-tun batch sparge all grain, and a BIAB full volume mash. I've used a muntons dry yeast, s-o5, and wyeast 1056. Each and every one has had a vigorous fermentation within about 12-24 hours that's lasted about 1 1/2 - 2 days then everything stops. I'll leave them in the primary for about a week to ten days then into the secondary for about 10 - 14 days with no other activity.

I've just realized that I haven't made a starter for any of these batches:smack::smack::smack::smack::smack:

I'm about to harvest the yeast off of my latest batch, will it be any good? Could I wash it and re-pitch it into my secondary to get the rest of the fermentables out? Then do a tertiary for clearing?

 

[Jayhem]

Are you using dry yeast for each of these? Dry yeast usually works fine for 5-6 gallon batches and I've actually had a bad experience trying to make a starter for dry yeast so now I only use dry yeast plus re-hydration or get liquid yeast vials and use a starter.

Liquid yeast need starters.

I use this calculator to determine if and when to use a starter:
http://yeastcalc.com/

 

[Shooter]

Yeah, I also suspect failing to make a starter with dry yeast is not the issue here.

 

[WildPirate]

I've used a muntons dry yeast, s-o5, and wyeast 1056. Each and every one has had a vigorous fermentation within about 12-24 hours that's lasted about 1 1/2 - 2 days then everything stops.

Are you using dry yeast for each of these?

Yeah, I also suspect failing to make a starter with dry yeast is not the issue here.

One batch was muntons dry yeast, one was safale dry yeast, and one was liquid wyeast

 

[wormraper]

have you taken your OG readings before hand along with your FG readings??? maybe your efficiency wasn't that great

 

[slarkin712]

What temperature is the beer fermenting at? If it's especially cold (<55F), then the yeast may have gone dormant and dropped out. The other thing to look at is the fermentability of the wort. If you have a lot of unfermentables like crystal malts, or your ash temperature was very high (>160F) then your FG will be high.

 

[WildPirate]

have you taken your OG readings before hand along with your FG readings??? maybe your efficiency wasn't that great

Yep, my target with this last batch was 1.055 and I hit 1.054

What temperature is the beer fermenting at? If it's especially cold (<55F), then the yeast may have gone dormant and dropped out. The other thing to look at is the fermentability of the wort. If you have a lot of unfermentables like crystal malts, or your ash temperature was very high (>160F) then your FG will be high.

It stays at 65-68F at all times. Used very little crystals. BeerSmith has my target FG at 1.010-1.018 and I'm at 1.033. Mashed at 152F

BTW Where a bouts in STL are you? I lived there for 15 years before moving out here to CO

 

[wormraper]

Yep, my target with this last batch was 1.055 and I hit 1.054



It stays at 65-68F at all times. Used very little crystals. BeerSmith has my target FG at 1.010-1.018 and I'm at 1.033. Mashed at 152F

BTW Where a bouts in STL are you? I lived there for 15 years before moving out here to CO

how long are you letting it ferment for? 1.033 is a ridiculously high number

 

[WildPirate]

how long are you letting it ferment for? 1.033 is a ridiculously high number

8 days primary, 14 secondary

 

[Shooter]

Are you measuring you FG with a hydrometer?

 

[wormraper]

8 days primary, 14 secondary

let it sit all 3 weeks in the primary, you very well may have taken it off the yeast too early while it was still fermenting, no need for a secondary unless you're racking on fruit or something unique like that. my last hefeweizen took 13 days to finish FERMENTING let along sit around and let flavors clean up

 

[Shooter]

8 days primary, 14 secondary

I wouldn't move it out of primary until it was done. At eight days it should probably be done, but a lot of people never move to a secondary.

 

[WildPirate]

Are you measuring you FG with a hydrometer?

I've used a hydrometer calibrated at 59F with 59F sample as well as a refractometer that has an SG scale.

 

[Shooter]

Okay, I just wanted to make sure you weren't only using a refractometer and failing to make the post fermentation correction for the alcohol.

 

[eastoak]

you moved the beer off of the yeast before it was done fermenting, no real reason to do that.

 

[WildPirate]

you moved the beer off of the yeast before it was done fermenting, no real reason to do that.

Ok so then I suppose my question is now, can I re-pitch my washed yeast I took from the primary?

 

[BenS]

Ok so then I suppose my question is now, can I re-pitch my washed yeast I took from the primary?

Yes. I would also re-aerate the unfinished wort a little bit to help the yeast along. (Shake the carboy a minute)

 

[slarkin712]

Yes. I would also re-aerate the unfinished wort a little bit to help the yeast along. (Shake the carboy a minute)

If it was me I would not re-aerate the wort. First, you don't know that pitching more yeast is going to help. Then you'll just have oxidized high FG beer, rather than high FG beer. Also, I believe I've read that you shouldn't aerate beer that is more than 50% to it's FG (can't remember where I read this). Just aerate the pitched yeast if anything.

 

[slarkin712]

It stays at 65-68F at all times. Used very little crystals. BeerSmith has my target FG at 1.010-1.018 and I'm at 1.033. Mashed at 152F

BTW Where a bouts in STL are you? I lived there for 15 years before moving out here to CO

I live on the South Side of STL near Carondelet Park, but I've spent some time in South County as well.

 

[eastoak]

Yes. I would also re-aerate the unfinished wort a little bit to help the yeast along. (Shake the carboy a minute)

don't do this!

 

[JeepDiver]

I did over 20 batches without a starter. That isn't your problem, something else is going on

 

[biddyk]

Are you sure your thermometer is accurate? Perhaps mashing at too high a temp?