Help!! Hydrometer reading 1.017

[Razorback_Jack]

Subject says it all, just about. My first brew and I picked a pilsner, not knowing it needed to ferment at COLD temps. It's in a 70-75 degree room. But having said that, it'll still taste like beer and so I've accepted it might not be a true-tasting pilsner.
ANYWAY, after about a week I opened to do a hydrometer test, and it reads 1.017, while the kit says it should be 1.010-1.012. I didn't see any yeast ring around the edges and there are barely any bubbles in airlock. Is my yeast screwed?? Pitch more? Or should I go ahead and siphon to my secondary (with an airlock in case it's not done fermenting?)

Please help the noob. Thanks!!

 

[mdharris99]

Did you take an original gravity reading (before fermentation)? BTW, I don't have any experience with lagers, but I do want to try and help out a fellow piggie.

 

[frazier]

Let it sit another couple weeks. What's the rush? If you test in another week and it's still1.017, then go ahead and transfer. But for now, wait.

 

[theashman661]

At higher temps Yeast ferments faster, so you may already be done fermenting. I would take another reading in a few days and see if it changes. I just recently brewed an American IPA @ around 75 degrees, couldn't get the temp down in my house. I covered my fermenter (glass carboy) in wet towels and that brought it down to around 72 degrees. Try doing that. Other than that see if your gravity continues to drop. If not I would rack and condition the beer, if your doing a two stage ferment.

 

[Yooper]

1.017 is ok, especially if this is an extract batch.

Take a reading in a few days, and if it's the same, and if the beer is clear (or getting pretty clear), it's ready to bottle.

 

[QuercusMax]

Have you calibrated your hydrometer? Room temperature (60-75 degrees) water should read 1.000. (You can use distilled if you have it available, but regular tap water should be fine.) Your hydro might well read several points high - I know mine does, and I just take that into account.

 

[WayFrae]

It is most likely finished but take another reading in a couple days to confirm that the reading is the same. When I did extract batches I had a hard time getting below 1.018-1.020 with them. Just because the instructions say it should be lower doesn't mean that it will get lower.

If I were you, since it isn't really going to taste like a pilsner, I would dry hop it with 2-3 oz citra in the primary for about 5 days and then bottle it. But that's just my inner hop head talking. Good Luck!

 

[Razorback_Jack]

Thanks for all the help!!
I didn't take an OG at the start, because I forgot to. First brew mistake. I'll be doing that in the future. But I also didn't think to check the hydro accuracy with water. I'll do that, but I'll probably wait another few days anyway and see if the gravity's the same. Then I'm going into a plastic carboy a couple weeks for clarity. I think I'll be fine.
Appreciate the advice so much!

Woo Pig Sooie!!!

 

[WhackedBear]

Well since you fermented your lager at warmer temps you are gonna have more of a California Ale. I would also suggest gently twisting the fermenter to stir up some yeast and that can get the yeast going again.

 

[balrog]

Let it sit. The yeasties don't have a clue what the instructions say, and will do their own thing in their own time. Give it another week, or even two. Seriously. Sit back. It's the little secret that's screamed out loud at us beginners that we just don't understand at first. Well, that and sanitize. Ok, and measure carefully. But mostly "be patient". The only way to get fast beer is to buy some.

 

[estricklin]

Subject says it all, just about. My first brew and I picked a pilsner, not knowing it needed to ferment at COLD temps. It's in a 70-75 degree room. But having said that, it'll still taste like beer and so I've accepted it might not be a true-tasting pilsner.
ANYWAY, after about a week I opened to do a hydrometer test, and it reads 1.017, while the kit says it should be 1.010-1.012. I didn't see any yeast ring around the edges and there are barely any bubbles in airlock. Is my yeast screwed?? Pitch more? Or should I go ahead and siphon to my secondary (with an airlock in case it's not done fermenting?)

Please help the noob. Thanks!!

Another Arkie in here?

 

[bknifefight]

www.howtobrew.com

 

[mdharris99]

I'm an expat, grew up outside of Little Rock and went to college in Fayetteville. Currently in coastal Virginia, but still love my Hogs.

 

[Razorback_Jack]

Raised in Ft Smith, graduated from UofA, and then TCU for grad school. I currently live in Ft Worth but a Hog fan all the way!

 

[estricklin]

Glad to meet both of you and WPS!