crazy high starting SG

[gregsmigla]

I recently brewed a batch of Brewers Best Imperial Blonde Ale the initial SG I got was 1.076 the target range was 1.058-1.064. I did not add more water to try to adjust the SG. Spent one week in the pirmary fermentor and one week in the secondary the SG has read 1.020 for the last 4 days the target final gravity is 1.008-1.010. Do I need to just wait longer, pitch more yeast, or is this just because the starting SG was so high?

 

[McKBrew]

Chances are that with the OG starting out so high, you didn't have enough yeast to fully ferment the batch. Additionally, it's not too uncommon for extract kit beers to finish higher than the target gravity.

With 4 days of constant FG at 1.020, you can get away with botting now. I have bottled several extract beers at the 1.018-1.020 range with no issues.

Welcome to Homebrewtalk.

 

[gregsmigla]

Is re-pitching yeast not a good idea? If I bottle now, since the yeast did not fully ferment the batch will it need to bottle condition longer than usual?

 

[carl spakler]

A couple comments:
1) Was this AG, PM or extract? If it was anything other than AG it is more likely your SG reading was erroneous for some reason than as high as you saw. I've had issues with wacky SG readings, I now ensure the wort of well stirred before pulling a sample. I know with a fermented batch it is harder to do this, but worth a shot.

2) What is the recipe? Did you validate the expected gravity readings with another beer calculator? I've had a prepackaged recipe that came in way different than the box, the HBS made a typo.

3) What is the timeline? A beer typically likes time on the yeast cake, the larger the beer the more it can help, prior to racking/bottling/messing around with. I know a rule of thumb often pitched was the 1-2-3 (1 week primary, 2 week secondary, 3 week bottle carb (if needed)), but i've moved to a 3-4 week primary, 1 week secondary, and 2 week bottle carb and have been happy with the results.


That is my input, if I'm wrong someone should be awake soon to correct.

 

[BobOscarBob]

It's an extract - my beersmith comes up with 1.066 OG...

7 lbs. Briess Pilsen DME
8 oz. Briess Wheat DME
8 oz. Crushed Gambrinus Honey Malt
8 oz. Maltodextrin
3 oz. German Spalt Hops (Bittering)
2 oz. Argentine Cascade Hops (Finishing)
2 tsp. Yeast Energizer

Does you hydrometer read 1.000 in straight water? I've got one that reads .004 'too heavy'. Might be an issue - might not. Still sounds like you'll have one nice brew on your hands!

 

[carl spakler]

It's an extract - my beersmith comes up with 1.066 OG...

If it's an extract, my suspicion is that the device/operator is the source of the discrepancy. I'd calibrate the hydrometer and see if that is the source of the problem.