Do you take a series of FG readings to know when fermentation is done?

[eanmcnulty]

I have read that many brewers check the gravity 3-4 days in a row for final gravity. I know that is how it is supposed to be done. I have never done it, because I don't know how to easily do it. I just give it 3 weeks, check gravity right before I bottle it and hope for the best. I brew mostly 3 gallon batches, so would I take a tube of beer out of the fermenter, test it, and add it back or drink it? I don't want to lose three tubes of beer to the test. Can you explain your process for collecting the beer and checking it? Thanks, Jon

I asked this question in another thread, and the answers I received made me think that more brewers than not just go with a 2 to 4 week primary, and not many brewers actually check for FG until they are ready to bottle.
So, do you take hydrometer readings for a few days in a row to check for FG, or do you just give it "long enough; it should be done..."?
That's pretty much what I do. I'm really wondering, because I often hear brewers talk about taking those readinds, but I'm not sure that many actually do it.
What do you think?

 

[frazier]

No. No need. I wait three to four weeks, then bottle. I check gravity on bottling day.

 

[samc]

On new styles I haven't brewed before I will take a reading, wait 2 days and take another, if the same I'm happy.

Also I will leave a hydrometer sample in a glass, covered and check that with a refractometer for FG numbers. It will be done before the fermenter beer but it gives me an indication of when to check that.

 

[weirdboy]

I wait 10 days-2 weeks, sometimes longer, and then I check gravity. If it is where I expect it to be, that's pretty much all she wrote. If it is high for some reason, then I start checking notes and consider rousing, repitching, etc.

If I pitched a yeast which flocculates well, I usually will rouse the yeast a bit during fermentation a couple of times to make sure it gets the job done.

 

[Hanso]

I also just let it run it's course. All it takes is a couple batches of doing it the "right way" as you described and you realize it is silly. Just pitch properly and watch closely the first several days to make sure you have a strong healthy fermentation. After that it's just a matter of waiting for the airlock to stop. Take two hydrometer readings is also better for the beer in terms of contamination.

 

[eanmcnulty]

Yes, let it run its course. It's not like I'm on some production schedule. Patience seems to make beer better. I just don't like to open the fermenters and muck araound in there.

 

[osagedr]

For ales I usually go quite awhile in the primary (4,5,6 weeks). I know it's done, and record the FG at bottling/kegging.

For lagers I might take a few gravity readings to time my d-rest right, then perhaps a few more to ensure FG before I rack for lagering.

 

[stevedasleeve]

I never take readings along the way, just let the beer do its thing and keg after 3 weeks (minimum) or when I have time. Usually this is around 4 weeks. I am 100% sure the beer is done by then so the gravity reading at this point is so I can warn people about the strength and, most importantly, so I can sample it before carbonation!

It seems silly to risk contamination by taking multiple readings when there is not much you can do anyway, the beer makes itself after you pitch so why bother?

Just MHO and YMMV. etc. and so on,
Steve da sleeve

 

[Snowhere]

I am in the camp of just letting it go until I am ready to transfer to secondary or to bottle. I am a firm believer of bulk aging or conditioning so being patient is a plus. I try to keep my pipeline full so I am in no rush to bottle early. If I find my gravity is not low enough at transfer time, I take additional measures and give it a few more weeks to finish up.

 

[kcpup]

On new styles I haven't brewed before I will take a reading, wait 2 days and take another, if the same I'm happy.

Also I will leave a hydrometer sample in a glass, covered and check that with a refractometer for FG numbers. It will be done before the fermenter beer but it gives me an indication of when to check that.

+1. If I've made a significant change in process or brewed a new style (to me) or am using an unfamiliar yeast strain (especially if mid-high in flocculation) I will take one hydrometer reading after 2 weeks. That is long enough for most ale strains to do their work, but not so long that the yeast can't easily be roused, etc.

Once I got a stir plate for starters, I didn't have to worry much anymore. I am confident there's enough yeast to do the job.

 

[Hoosier-Brewer]

No, I take the OG and 4 weeks later I take the FG and then bottle. No issues in the 8 batches I have done so far.

 

[El_Exorcisto]

I take a gravity when bubbles stop and krausen falls, then another two days later. If gravity is stable it goes in bottles.

 

[wailingguitar]

In a commercial setting, yes... because of the need for record keeping. It that case it's easy; spray sanitizer in a sample port, draw a liter or so, taste, degass...

At home? Nah... haven't done in a very long time. I know that the beer is finished after a certain amount of time based on experience. If there is something I am curious about for a specific reason (new recipe etc.) I might... but even that hasn't happened in a while. Basically, I don't want to waste the beer, chance fate with contamination... ok, that's what I SAY the truth is I am just too lazy to bother

 

[eanmcnulty]

This is leaning way over to the side of not checking for FG until botting/kegging. The most popular reason seems to be contamination, but I think it may too much of a bother. Why do something when I can just be patient and not worry about it. I wonder if there is a poll on HBT?

 

[AintLifeGrand]

I do not take gravity readings consecutively, I don't like opening the bucket lid or bung on the carboy to take samples. I always take readings on brew day before I pitch yeast and on bottling day as the beer is going in the bottling bucket. I guess if I had a suspicion my brew has petered out or gotten stuck I would check before going in the bottling bucket. After about 22 5 gallon batches I've never had a bottle bomb (I'm sure one day I will, though).

 

[luke2080]

Usually - let it sit the 4 weeks and take a reading before I keg.

If I brew a high gravity beer, I'll check it with readings, so that if I get a stuck fermentation I can solve that, rather then be surprised by a too high gravity on kegging day.

 

[DarthMalt]

Usually - let it sit the 4 weeks and take a reading before I keg.

If I brew a high gravity beer, I'll check it with readings, so that if I get a stuck fermentation I can solve that, rather then be surprised by a too high gravity on kegging day.

This is pretty much my process as well.