Noob Question about OG

[jonsteenbergen]

I've been searching around trying to find out how low is too low, and how low is really OK. I'm new to brewing - 5 batches (AG) so far -

Last night I did a BIAB 3 gallon batch CDA, and my OG was slightly lower than i should be. The target was 1.060 and I was around 1.052. I didn't lose as much liquid as I thought I would and ended up with almost 3.5 gallons instead of the 3. Didn't realize this until moving to the fermentation bucket. So I know why the OG is low, and I'm not really worried about this batch. This just got me thinking - when should I worry and think about adding things like DME to bring up the gravity?

 

[Lucky_Chicken]

if it has some sugars it will ferment, the OG just gives more body and alcohal. If you are trying to match brews then its important otherwise you can make a good beer (maybe better than planned) with any OG

 

[TopherM]

If you had ended up with a 1.035 instead of 1.05 or something like that, it'd be reason to worry, because you'd have a watered down beer.

From expected 1.06 to 1.052, there is still PLENTY of body in that beer. More like going from a beer on the heavier side to a medium-bodied brew.

I'd just let it ride. The final result might now be a little off from the original intended recipe, but not enough that it isn't still going to be a good beer.

 

[tknice]

Yeah, it will still be great. I have beers come in low quite a bit which is why I adjust the recipe to account for it. You could always add dme as you said, but what is worst case, your beer will be a little more sessionable!

 

[jonsteenbergen]

Thanks everyone! I figured that this one wasn't too low, but just got me thinking what would I do if I was way off.

It's bubbling away in the fermenter now so we'll see how it turns out.