Final Gravity Always High

[casanovaw]

I've been brewing for almost a year now. A lot of extrac and i just started doing the Brew In A Bag 3 monts ago. I've always had a hard time hitting my FG. 20-25 batchs and i dont think i've really hit it once. i'm getting about a 25 point drop on every batch. I've tried dry yeast, smack packs and even making a starter.
At first I thought it was just the extrac kits but now with the all grain its the same thing. The beer alwasy tastes good and will get you drunk but it comes out at 3.3% What am I missing?
I've fermented at 62 last winter and 68 this summer all with the same results. I just did Yoopers Dead Guy Clone. SG 1.056 tested it last night 1.033. I've tried fermenting in the primary for up to 4 weeks with the same high gravity.

 

[paulster2626]

I am of no assistance, but I did need to come here and make fun of you.

3.3% gets you drunk? Silly lightweight Americans!

 

[ayoungrad]

Mash temps? Mash times? Iodine tests done?

 

[frazier]

Is 1.033 a typical FG for you? Yes that is rather high. Some possible suggestions:
Confirm calibration of hydrometer and thermometer
Lower your mash temperature to 150
Replace some of your grain with corn sugar (~~1 lb. sugar max)
Add yeast nutrient at end of boil
Prior to pitching, "shake like mad to aerate" (Walker)

OK, I'm out of ideas for now. Good luck.

 

[casanovaw]

1.025 is a common FG for a lot of them. But that was true for the extract batches as well. The last batch i did was 158 for 60 mins should of finished at 1.018 and i am at 1.033. I've been using a refractometer w/temp correction and it always reads 1.000 with water. Its doing the same thing with extract and all grain.

 

[carrotmalt]

I've been using a refractometer w/temp correction...

Are you calculating FG based on both pre and post fermentation readings, or just reading directly off the refrac?

 

[shawnbou]

Are you using a refractometer to check the gravity during fermentation? Refractometers are not accurate once fermentation begins, because the reading is thrown off by the alcohol in the solution. You should use a hydrometer for calculating gravity during and after fermentation.

There are refractometer spreadsheets that supposedly correct for the presence of alcohol, but as far as I know, they still only get to about 90-95% accuracy.

 

[casanovaw]

maybe thats my whole problem. I'll switch back to my hydrometer and see if my readings change. Thanks

 

[carrotmalt]

This one has been on par with my hydro readings.

 

[shawnbou]

Thanks for the link, carrotmalt. I keep looking for one that measures accurately but I haven't tried that one yet.

 

[casanovaw]

Thank you. if i use that link i'm right at 1.018. I guess I didn't know how to get the FG correctly. I was just using the 8 brix (1.033) Thanks again for everyones help

 

[frazier]

Hey, now you know why 3.3% ABV was getting you drunk!