FG reading help!

[cwwillmon]

Hi guys,

Its been a week in the fermentation process. Bubbling has stopped. Is it safe to take an FG reading at this time or wait a week?

 

[dawn_kiebawls]

Its hard to say without knowing what style you brewed, what yeast you pitched, ferm temp and OG.

I'm still a noob, (somebody correct me if I'm wrong) but I would say wait 5 or 6 days then take another sample 2 days after. If they're the same you're OK to bottle/keg it up!

 

[cwwillmon]

Its like an IPA, ferm temp was a little high because I'm in AZ. My OG was 1.034.

 

[flars]

Leaving your beer in the primary a little time after FG has been established will allow it to clear before dry hopping.

 

[cwwillmon]

This recipe didn't call for dry hopping. It was a recipe that a brew shop put together from Oregon.

 

[kh54s10]

7-10 days is within range, I usually go 14 days to be sure it's done. Take one reading, wait at least 24 more hours and take a second reading. If they are the same it is safe to bottle the beer.

The other variable is to look at the beer and wait for it to get clear. Some won't get perfectly clear without some fining or cold crashing. I don't worry if it is not totally clear.

 

[brew703]

Your OG was 1.034? That's low. Is that a session IPA you brewed?

I always go 1.5-2 weeks before taking a gravity sample. Sometime before if I dry hop before fermentation is complete.

 

[GHBWNY]

7-10 days is within range, I usually go 14 days to be sure it's done. Take one reading, wait at least 24 more hours and take a second reading. If they are the same it is safe to bottle the beer.

The other variable is to look at the beer and wait for it to get clear. Some won't get perfectly clear without some fining or cold crashing. I don't worry if it is not totally clear.

This^

I also do 10 days to 2 weeks for most ales. Longer the better for purpose of clearing, but main thing is stable FG readings at the end of ferm period. If FG continues to change, ferm is not done and beer is not safe to bottle. I almost always clear my beer --- at end of ferm put fermenter in fridge for 24 hrs., add gelatin and leave 3-4 days. Super-clear beer every time. Exception is any wheat malt beer (hefe, Belgian, etc.), which are traditionally hazy.

 

[PADave]

Let it sit at least another week. Don't touch it.

I know my method might be unorthodox, but I leave in primary for 3 weeks then bottle. I take the one and only FG reading as I'm bottling. Only time I open the fermenter is to dry hop.

 

[cwwillmon]

Your OG was 1.034? That's low. Is that a session IPA you brewed?

I always go 1.5-2 weeks before taking a gravity sample. Sometime before if I dry hop before fermentation is complete.

I correct myself. I looked at my sheet OG was 1.048

 

[cwwillmon]

Ok I will let sit another week. Just excited for my first brew!!!!

 

[RM-MN]

Ok I will let sit another week. Just excited for my first brew!!!!

I have bottled extract kit beers at one week. The kit listed the expected FG and my hydrometer showed that reading and the kit said I could bottle in one week.

Don't do it! I had an excessive amount of sediment in the bottles that would have stayed behind in the fermenter had I let it have the time. The minimum time I now do is 10 days and that only because I was in a hurry to drink this batch. Two weeks would be better.

Now is too late to change this batch but I've fermenter beer a little too warm and I've fermented beer with temperature control. Temperature controlled fermentation is sooo much better, cleaner flavor and no more fusel alcohol. Find a way to ferment cooler. It doesn't have to be expensive.:rockin:

 

[balrog]

I like the "wait till it's clear" method, but using buckets precludes that. It also doesn't necessarily work perfectly with some English yeasts which drop out easily. It's hard to wait especially if the "instructions" give you nice easy steps and times. Yeasties don't really pay attention to those by the way. They do have a mind of their own. Give it time. You'll be glad you did.

 

[GHBWNY]

I like the "wait till it's clear" method, but using buckets precludes that.

Agree, which is why --- and I don't want to start a "Primary VS Secondary" war --- I have been racking from my [opaque] bucket to a [clear] Big Mouth Bubbler more and more recently. For the record, I have never experienced contamination or oxidation by racking from one vessel to another. The effort has been truly worth the clear beer. Plus, the BMB happens to fit better in my fridge for cold-crashing.

 

[cwwillmon]

I checked FG today at day nine and it was at 1.010. Looks like a bottling weekend!!!!

 

[GPP33]

I correct myself. I looked at my sheet OG was 1.048

That's still low for an IPA. With no dry hop it sounds like you probably have a Pale Ale, not an IPA. Mostly semantics but just don't expect a big hoppy IPA.

It's probably ok to take an FG reading and do it again in a couple days. I've never given a beer longer than 2 weeks in the fermenter. I keg so bottle bombs aren't an issue, I only take one FG reading at the beginning of my transfer.