my first stuck fermentation

[jigidyjim]

Why is it that my xmas ales are always cursed! This year, I decided to try the famous vanilla bourbon porter recipe. I did a partial mash, had a ~1.080 OG, used 1.5 packs of us-05, pitched and fermented at 62+2 degrees. 10 days later, it's at 1.030. I bumped up the temp to 64+2. 6 days after that... still at 1.030. So tonight I bumped it up to 66+2 and gave it a bit of a shake/swirl...

It should come down to around 1.020 or so. Right now it's only at 63% attenuation. 70% would be 1.024, 75% would be 1.020.

Not sure what to do next. I've still got time in the fermenter before I bottle, but I don't want to bottle at 1.030. I'll read around the forums some more - this is my first stuck fermentation after 20+ brews.

 

[Warped04]

What was your mash temp? Full recipe...Some more details might help clarify some things...You might be done...Although I hope not....

 

[badhabit]

what was your mash temp? Full recipe...some more details might help clarify some things...you might be done...although i hope not....

+1

 

[jigidyjim]

Partial Mash Recipe, 5 gal batch:

4 lbs Maris Otter
2.5 lbs Munich
1.5 lbs Brown
1 lb crystal 120
0.5 lb crystal 40
0.5 lb chocolate

All mashed at 150. I stove top brew, and my mash temps tend to have "hot pockets" sometimes, but overall things were pretty close to 150 for the hour.

Then added 4 lbs light DME to the boil.

Ended up at 1.080, probably a little under 5 gal.

1.5 packs us-05 pitched, with temp schedule listed in the first post. I haven't checked gravity after the most recent temp boost 2 days ago to 66+2 degrees.

Thanks for any advice you have. I can't decide whether to bottle (after awhile and adding vanilla bean), or pitch more (us-05?).

 

[jigidyjim]

Just measured again. Still stuck. Gave it a swirl, bumped up the temp some more.

Anyone think pitching again will help? If so, more us-05, or do i switch to something else?

Thanks.

 

[badhabit]

Here's my $.02 on it. Seems like you should have had better FG, nothing realy strikes me as something that you goofed up, If it was sitting at my house I would hydrate the half pack of 05 you have left and add it, giving a nice stir. I would give it up to 72 hours at 68ish F to show life and if it did not I would let it settle and bottle it.