Big FG, what's up?

[GreenSpyder]

10# MO
1# Biscuit
Columbus & Cascade hops
BH Efficiency was 91%
OG=1.057 FG=1.031 ABV=3.41%

What happened? The yeast was 1056, harvested twice prior, so this was its 3rd brew. It took off after only 3.5hrs, and bubbled like mad for nearly 3 days (I had to use an overflow tube). The last week I couldn't get a bubble even shaking it, so I assumed it went well. The beer tastes excellent, flat & warm, but really good.

10 days in the primary, and I only got my FG to 1.031, any suggestion? Should I post this on the "Yeast Forum"?

Thanks for opinions.
G.S.

 

[BigPerm]

Two initial questions:

1. Mash temp?

2. Measuring via hydrometer or refractometer?

 

[GreenSpyder]

Two initial questions:

1. Mash temp?

2. Measuring via hydrometer or refractometer?

1. 156F
2. Refractometer

 

[BigPerm]

1. 156F
2. Refractometer

Measure with a hydrometer. Refractometer readings are inaccurate post-fermentation. You didn't mention it tasted overly sweet, so I'm guessing you've got an inaccurate reading.

I assume this is a Pale Ale/IPA? Why the high mash temp? What FG were you trying to get?

 

[GreenSpyder]

Hydrometer shows FG=1.014...thanks, good call. That puts me around 5.64%.

I forgot reading about refractometers measuring alcohol, glad I didn't get rid of old hydrometer.

Damn, I love this forum, thanks BigPerm!!!

.....I assume this is a Pale Ale/IPA? Why the high mash temp? What FG were you trying to get?

Yeah, Pale Ale trial.
Because my temps started high, I cooled down from 163, after "fixing" my MT, it didn't lose any temp over an hour, it used to lose at least 3. I generally try for 153.
FG? Didn't care, but better than that!!

Going back and looking at the Brewer's Friend Calculations, it predicted:
OG=1.057 FG=1.014, ABV=5.62%, IBU=65.29, SRM=7.73
I'm amazed it called it so close. I'm a BF believer. I may have to buy a subscription after this.

 

[BigPerm]

Hydrometer shows FG=1.014...thanks, good call. That puts me around 5.64%.

I forgot reading about refractometers measuring alcohol, glad I didn't get rid of old hydrometer.

Damn, I love this forum, thanks BigPerm!!!

Glad I could help. I've never really understood the allure of refractometers in brewing, with the exception of an arguably more accurate OG. You'd be surprised how many people make that exact same mistake.

Yeah, Pale Ale trial.
Because my temps started high, I cooled down from 163, after "fixing" my MT, it didn't lose any temp over an hour, it used to lose at least 3. I generally try for 153.
FG? Didn't care, but better than that!!

Going back and looking at the Brewer's Friend Calculations, it predicted:
OG=1.057 FG=1.014, ABV=5.62%, IBU=65.29, SRM=7.73
I'm amazed it called it so close. I'm a BF believer. I may have to buy a subscription after this.

Yeah, 156 probably accounts for a little. I usually mash my pale ales at about 150 and add a small percentage (~5-8%) Munich malt for a little body. I like mine to dry out to about 1.010 though; if you're going for a little higher, 153F is appropriate, although the munich will still accentuate the malt backbone.

Cheers!

 

[Riot]

Glad I could help. I've never really understood the allure of refractometers in brewing, with the exception of an arguably more accurate OG. You'd be surprised how many people make that exact same mistake

Cheers!

I know at least for me the appeal of a refractometer is being able to take a reading in under a minute at any point in the process. I check first runnings gravity to make sure conversion is where I want it, and multiple readings throughout the boil to make sure my OG is on target. Still use my hydrometer for everything after it makes it into the fermenter, including my actual recorded OG

 

[douglasbarbin]

I know at least for me the appeal of a refractometer is being able to take a reading in under a minute at any point in the process. I check first runnings gravity to make sure conversion is where I want it, and multiple readings throughout the boil to make sure my OG is on target. Still use my hydrometer for everything after it makes it into the fermenter, including my actual recorded OG

This, and the fact that it literally takes 2 drops to take a reading.

 

[Riot]

I only use the refractometer hot side, which makes sample size irrelevant. Everything can be dumped back in with no contamination worries. It does take way less time and effort to get a few drops to a reasonable temperature than a couple hundred ml though.

 

[stpug]

...
OG=1.057 FG=1.031
...

Glad I could help. I've never really understood the allure of refractometers in brewing, with the exception of an arguably more accurate OG. You'd be surprised how many people make that exact same mistake.

The "allure" is that they are (arguably) as accurate as reading a triple-scale hydrometer, which is what most folks use, and require an extremely small sample size.

Case in point:
http://www.brewersfriend.com/refractometer-calculator/
-Plug in 1.057 OG using SG scale
-Plug in 7.9 Brix FG (corresponds closely, in Brix, to the 1.031 OP posted)
-Plug in 1.029-1.040 wort correction factor (BS vs SeanTerrill, respectively)
-Result is 1.015 FG using SG scale

I, myself, cannot confidently say that I can accurately distinguish between a 1.014 and 1.015 reading using my triple-scale hydrometer given the clarity of the beer combined with the rounding of the meniscus, and where exactly the hydrometer is supposed to be read (top, bottom, middle of meniscus). I generally call out a two-point range and use the middle with a hydrometer.

That, to me, is the "allure" of a refractometer; however, I can certainly understand where you're coming from because I've corrected many folks in the past using refractometers who have inadvertently failed to use a correcting calculator.

 

[SnakeRidge]

I love my refractometer, but I've learned to zero it with water every brew day. I was chasing an efficiency loss for a couple of brewdays and realized that it was reading about negative 1.5 with water. Adjusting the little screw brought me right back up to normal efficiency.

 

[BigPerm]

That's the thing. For me, I don't care about sample sizes on the hot side, and I can't use it on the cold side. And really, when you get down to it, having an accuracy of 1.002 is good enough for me. Plus, as far as estimating abv, as long as you are consistent in where you read the meniscus, it's fine.

I know a lot of people like to use refractometers and im glad you guys like yours. For me though, a hydrometer works just as well and there's a lot more things I'd rather spend $50+ on.

 

[SnakeRidge]

That's the thing. For me, I don't care about sample sizes on the hot side, and I can't use it on the cold side. And really, when you get down to it, having an accuracy of 1.002 is good enough for me. Plus, as far as estimating abv, as long as you are consistent in where you read the meniscus, it's fine.

I know a lot of people like to use refractometers and im glad you guys like yours. For me though, a hydrometer works just as well and there's a lot more things I'd rather spend $50+ on.

You're totally right about all that. I don't really measure FG anymore unless it's a big big beer, but when I do, I use my hydro. A buddy gave me the refract I use cause he preferred his hydro. I wouldn't have spent the money on it. I really want to get those small scale hydros that come three in a kit for measuring starting and finishing gravities.

 

[douglasbarbin]

You're totally right about all that. I don't really measure FG anymore unless it's a big big beer, but when I do, I use my hydro. A buddy gave me the refract I use cause he preferred his hydro. I wouldn't have spent the money on it. I really want to get those small scale hydros that come three in a kit for measuring starting and finishing gravities.

I have the small-scale hydrometer that goes up to 1.020. It's pretty cool. Easier to read because the marks are further apart. Normally I use the refractometer for everything hot-side and also for taking SG while the wort is cooling. I only use the hydrometer for taking FG, if I even take it at all.