Decisions

[duskb]

I put an ale in the fermenter on Sept. 30 with a OG of 1.067 and a pint starter of 001. The 001 took off slower than expected but it did seem to do it's work. The temp sat pretty solid at 70 for the whole process.

I took a gravity tonight because I was about to move from primary into keg and the reading was 1.028, not ready for transfer yet, but it does taste nice. I typically can buy several points by shaking the fermenter up and moving it to a warmer room for a few days. Still not where I need it but probably all I'll get at this point.

Here's the question. I'm quickly approaching 3 weeks in primary and I don't mind pushing it to 4 if I have to but I'm afraid I'll run into problems with the beer being on the yeast cake for that long. To add insult ot injury I'm leaving town this weekend so if the beer doesn't clean up before Friday AM it's going have to sit till Monday.

Who's been lucky in my spot and how did you get around it?

 

[Airborneguy]

Autolysis is a myth. Leave it and it will be fine.

 

[alcibiades]

Autolysis is a myth. Leave it and it will be fine.

word up soul sister

 

[duskb]

Autolysis is a myth. Leave it and it will be fine.

Thanks...it'll sit till next week. I hope it drops far enough to keg without repitching.

 

[Airborneguy]

It might. Give it that shake you were talking about then let it sit while you are gone. That is a big drop you are looking for though, so don't be totally surprised if it doesn't go all the way. Also, remember, a few points off from your projected final gravity is okay.

 

[duskb]

So, I waited and checked again today (five days later) and I'm down to 1.026. Not enough to keg....just not enough to be DONE.

So, the beer is still cloudy (because I shook the hell out of it). Should I just say screw it and keg or pitch in a new vial of 001?

 

[Yooper]

What's the recipe? Some beers would be not done and cloyingly sweet at 1.026. Some beers, like a sweet stout, would be fine at 1.026.

 

[FishinDave07]

word up soul sister

LOL, he's onto something here...

 

[strat_thru_marshall]

So, I waited and checked again today (five days later) and I'm down to 1.026. Not enough to keg....just not enough to be DONE.

So, the beer is still cloudy (because I shook the hell out of it). Should I just say screw it and keg or pitch in a new vial of 001?

dude just it go. gravity is dropping. its still fermenting. back away, let the yeast do their thing. 4 weeks is fine, 5 weeks is fine. let the yeast finish their job!!! 3 days in a row at the same gravity, rack to keg!

 

[duskb]

dude just it go. gravity is dropping. its still fermenting. back away, let the yeast do their thing. 4 weeks is fine, 5 weeks is fine. let the yeast finish their job!!! 3 days in a row at the same gravity, rack to keg!

My God this is the slowest ferment I've ever had. 4 weeks in and the danged stuff is _still_ hanging in the 20's. I figured by now I'd be drinking pumpkin brew...at the rate I'm going it'll be Christmas before it's done.

Anyways, I gotta hand it to you...3 days later checked gravity. 1.024. 2 points every 3 days...

Slow as molasses but like you said, it is working.