Not sure if this is going to be ok....advice please.

[super15068]

Hi all - I made a clone of a double IPA the other week which I was about to dump down the drain. Before I pitched the yeast the reading was 1.085. 4 packets of yeast went into this 23 litre batch. I never saw any activity in the fermentation. I just assumed I'd done something wrong so, like I said, was going to dump it. However, before I did I thought I'd just take a reading and it reads 1.008. So I'm guessing something went on in there then? There's hardly any scum line around the fermenter either. Weird. Dump or not to dump?
CHeers in advance for any advice on this.

 

[jodell]

Don't dumb.
Take a taste of it and see how it taste. Are you fermenting in a bucket? Those are notorious for not sealing well, not having any scum on the side happens and is nothing out of the ordinary.

 

[neverfadeaway86]

always taste it before considering dumping, if it really did drop that far then there was definite fermentation. also could have been a bottom fermenting strand of yeast

 

[super15068]

Don't dumb.
Take a taste of it and see how it taste. Are you fermenting in a bucket? Those are notorious for not sealing well, not having any scum on the side happens and is nothing out of the ordinary.

Doesn't taste too bad tbh. Yes plastic fermenting job.

 

[super15068]

always taste it before considering dumping, if it really did drop that far then there was definite fermentation. also could have been a bottom fermenting strand of yeast

Not the old bottom fermenting strand of yeast chestnut!.......(I have no clue, care to tell me what that's all about?) thanks for your response btw.

 

[IslandLizard]

Fermentation happens, even if you don't see it.

But 4 packets of yeast in a 5 gallon batch? Dry (11.5 gr each) or liquid yeast?

If liquid, look into making yeast starters to save $$$.

 

[RM-MN]

Fermentation happens, even if you don't see it.

But 4 packets of yeast in a 5 gallon batch? Dry (11.5 gr each) or liquid yeast?

If liquid, look into making yeast starters to save $$$.

Your OG and FG seem to suggest a very high attenuation which may have been caused by over pitching the yeast. That doesn't make the beer bad. Have you dry hopped it yet? If not, take another sample just in case you misread the hydrometer and drink the sample as a check on flavor, then dry hop for a 4 to 7 days and bottle or keg that batch unless it is putrid.

 

[ericbw]

It's a double IPA, so no, it's not going to be ok. Your instinct to dump it down the drain was correct. (That's a joke. I don't like IPAs, especially double.)

That's a lot of yeast for one batch. Why did you add 4 packs?

 

[super15068]

Your OG and FG seem to suggest a very high attenuation which may have been caused by over pitching the yeast. That doesn't make the beer bad. Have you dry hopped it yet? If not, take another sample just in case you misread the hydrometer and drink the sample as a check on flavor, then dry hop for a 4 to 7 days and bottle or keg that batch unless it is putrid.

Dry hopped this evening. No didn't misread,Definitely 1.008. Well I'll see how it is in a few days then. Thank you

 

[super15068]

It's a double IPA, so no, it's not going to be ok. Your instinct to dump it down the drain was correct. (That's a joke. I don't like IPAs, especially double.)

That's a lot of yeast for one batch. Why did you add 4 packs?

Haha I won't be doing that just yet now. That's what the recipe stated. 4x M44 West Coast.

 

[super15068]

Fermentation happens, even if you don't see it.

But 4 packets of yeast in a 5 gallon batch? Dry (11.5 gr each) or liquid yeast?

If liquid, look into making yeast starters to save $$$.

Dry yeast

 

[super15068]

Fermentation happens, even if you don't see it.

But 4 packets of yeast in a 5 gallon batch? Dry (11.5 gr each) or liquid yeast?

If liquid, look into making yeast starters to save $$$.

It was dry yeast

 

[ericbw]

Haha I won't be doing that just yet now. That's what the recipe stated. 4x M44 West Coast.

Is this a recipe from the yeast manufacturer? "Then add $100 worth of our yeast..." Ha

 

[Cavpilot2000]

Don't dumb.

This is just good advice for life in general...

 

[super15068]

Is this a recipe from the yeast manufacturer? "Then add $100 worth of our yeast..." Ha

Haha no mate.cost me a few bucks to make though so I'm glad I'm not chucking it....yet

 

[Special Hops]

Do not pour it out without proper testing! Bottle the entire batch and send to me for a comprehensive evaluation. I will submit a complete report in about 4 weeks.

 

[super15068]

This is just good advice for life in general...

Thanks I'll bear it in mind

 

[super15068]

Do not pour it out without proper testing! Bottle the entire batch and send to me for a comprehensive evaluation. I will submit a complete report in about 4 weeks.

Ok....you can pay the postage from Australia though.

 

[stella_tigre]

M44 attenuates pretty thoroughly, but even by MJ's recommendation two packets would have been sufficient. They call for two packets if OG>1.050 but a single packet easily handles over that, 1.065 or so. I haven't checked the FG on our (single) IPA that started that high, but our pale ales that start around 1.055 regularly finish at1.008.

Don't know what your hop schedule was, but with it that dry tou may want a lighter touch?

 

[IslandLizard]

40 grams of dry yeast is still a lot of yeast for a 5 gallon batch. Two 10 gram packages, properly re-hydrated before pitching, should be enough for a 1.085 beer, together with a good dose of oxygenation/aeration. 1.008 from 1.085 is getting near super attenuation territory at over 90%.

 

[SlitheryDee]

One of the things you'll hear over and over is to not give too much credence to what things look like in the fermenter. It's nice to see active fermentation as a confirmation that something is happening, but hydrometer readings are where the proverbial rubber meets the road. Your hydrometer is telling you that you've got beer.

 

[Morrey]

I bought out a guys brew equipment that had a "Tilt" hydrometer in the assortment of goods. This floating unit is battery powered and sends a signal to my iPhone via an app. I didn't put much credence in the device at the time other than it was included in the bundle. Also included was a SSBrewtech bucket which I now know can be finicky to get a good seal. My BO tube was silent on day 3....bad lid seal.

I hate to open lids for obvious reasons, but the Tilt showed my SG was dropping quickly. I could smell fermentation but the hydrometer gave me peace of mind knowing all was ok.