Gravity reading concern

[mtrogers14]

I brewed my first batch ( an Irish Red from extract ) on September 29th. The original gravity after I added water to get the batch to 5 gallons in the fermenter but before I pitched the yeast was 1.040, I think. I took the reading after I aerated so it was tuff to get a true number with all the foam but I think I was close. So today October 8 I open my fermenter to take my first reading and its showing 1.014. My question is........is that it ? will the FG drop any more as the next 3 weeks of fermentation go on ? It seems to me that that reading is less than 3% ABV, not good !! Otherwise the beer looks and smells great so far. I would appreciate anyone and all wisdom on this LATEST dilemma as I begin my new passion !!

 

[Pappers_]

It is likely that the 1.014 is your final gravity. To know for certain, wait a few more days and take another reading. If it is still 1.014, then you know it is. Generally, my normal-sized beers are done fermenting anywhere from 5 - 10 days. You will do no harm letting it sit in the fermenter (carboy or bucket) for a few extra days or even weeks, and the yeast will clean up after themselves for a while after active fermentation is over, according to Yeast (the book by Jamil Z. and Chris White).

As for your ABV, I wouldn't worry. I suspect your original gravity reading was incorrect, which is very common for extract batches where you do a partial boil and top off with water. It is nearly impossible to thoroughly mix it to get an accurate reading. The good news is that you don't have to worry about mash efficiency, because it was already done for you by the maker of the extract, so whatever the predicted original gravity was is likely where you ended up. The only issue would be if your final volume or the amount of extract you used was off.

Congrats on your first batch!

 

[JLem]

Like Paps said above...your FG is good, your OG reading may be off.

What was your recipe? Expected OG?

 

[mtrogers14]

I think closer to 1.050. Like I said in my op I may have been off due to the foam. I'm hopeful that's it anyway.

 

[tre9er]

Mix the wort/water well and immediately take the sample next time. Do this before aerating too. Then chill it to 60 degrees and let it degas as it does so. You can use a thief/turkey baster to remove the foam, that's what I do. Then spin the hydrometer in the wort and take a reading.

As mentioned, the FG is only "final" or "terminal" when you've checked it at least twice over 2-3 days and there is no change. Again, chill the sample to 60.

 

[JLem]

I think closer to 1.050. Like I said in my op I may have been off due to the foam. I'm hopeful that's it anyway.

If this was an extract batch and you are confident that your volumes are accurate, your actual OG is probably closer to your anticipated OG since a given amount of extract dissolved in a given amount of water will yield a relatively known gravity. How much (and what kind) of extract did you use?

If this was a all-grain batch or even a partial mash, there could be a number of reasons why you might not hit your expected OG.