FG measurement issues

[Trail]

I've had a Saison in my closet primary for a month. It fermented using Wyeast Belgian Saison at around 90 degrees, and I just cracked the fermenter open for the first time to take a sample.

It's the first batch I've done in a Better Bottle, which is both wider than I'm used to and has a more domed bottom. The result being, I struck the bottom and got a noticeable amount of yeast cake goo along with my sample: when I drew the wine thief out, I had about half relatively clear beer and half thick gunk. Once decanted into my sample tube, it looked kind of like those nasty Orbitz drinks from the 90s: absolutely filled with yeasty particles, drifting slowly back and forth in suspension.

The hydrometer says it's 1.016, with an expected FG of 1.010. Is it reasonable to imagine that the gunk I sucked up might have raised the apparent gravity?

The sample was delicious, though the odor had a very slight over-the-top funk which disappeared after sip 2. Big, powerful barnyard funk that was mostly very enjoyable, fruity ester character in the back that ebbed forward into the finish. Very excited to taste it again once it's done.

SWMBO says it "smells like stinky cheese," though. I sniffed and sniffed, but I just don't get it.

 

[Trail]

Guess I'm going to buy a turkey baster tomorrow so I can pull a shallower sample. Has anyone seen a .006 difference from sediment, though?

 

[Ta0]

I have never seen a difference in SG due to sediment, but if it does not dissolve, I would imagine the mass could either be the same, greater or less dense then the fluid. That being said they would Float, sink, or just wonder and non would be to do with buoyancy of the liquid and should have any affect on your hydrometer reading.
Cheers

 

[dgr]

TaO has it. No effect on gravity. Drop some rocks and corks in a bucket of water and measure the gravity. No change.

 

[dhallila]

Guess I'm going to buy a turkey baster tomorrow so I can pull a shallower sample. Has anyone seen a .006 difference from sediment, though?

It shouldn't have any affect on gravity. It probably just finished out higher than expected. Try aeration when you pitch the yeast into the wort. Helps to awaken yeast better for fermentation. Sounds like yours had stalled. Most fermentation completes within 14 days. So you should test then. A month is a little excessive. Cheers!