Incomplete fermentation

[MadMechanic]

I started out with a batch at 1.10 SG, pitched a White Labs California Ale that I grew in a starter for 36 hours. I finished at 1.028 SG which should yield approximately a 10 % ABV. It sat in the fermenter for three weeks prior to kegging, do you think I under pitched or should I have let it set longer?

 

[jekeane]

What size starter? A 2l starter would just get you there assuming the yeast was fresh.

 

[MadMechanic]

It was 2 liters, I think I should have doubled the size but I under shot my original gravity and tried to make up for it with extract. Unfortunately I didn't have extra yeast ready to make up for the higher SG. But another lesson learned on the road to mastering the craft.

 

[ballsy]

Need more info, mainly what your mash temp was but also what temp you fermented at. Also keep in mind, typically big beers like that tend to end at a higher FG. It's not uncommon for them to end at 1.02 or a little higher. My big beers typically end b/w 1.018 and 1.022 and that's with more than enough yeast pitched and a mash temp of 150...

 

[Likefully]

If I was forced into answering the OP based on the stats given (like threatened with not having beer for a week) I would say you are fine. If in doubt, try a little rousing and raising the temp for a few days.

 

[hottpeper13]

With that high of OG the FG is about rite for a RIS or something like that. Prowlley finished fermenting,that will happen sometimes when you add LME. When formulating big OG beers my efficiency drops from 80% to around 65%, it's weird but can stay close to 80% up to about 1.074 IIPA territory.