OG and FG Way Low

[andejos]

Hello all -- I am newer to brewing and have been reading this forum a lot as a point of reference throughout my first two brews. I recently just tested the FG of my latest home brew (Hank's Hefeweizen- Malt Extract) and it is coming out considerably lower than the target.

Here is some of the data I collected during the brew:

• I brought 6 gal of water to 160 degree F
• Steeped speciality grains at 160 degree for 30 mins
• Killed the heat
• Added 6 lbs of Liquid Malt Extract after grains were removed from steeping
• Added 1 lb of dry malt extract
• Once the malt extract was completely dissolved through stirring, I brought the wort back to a boil (210 degree F). This took about 10 min.
• Tossed hops (1 oz of Tettnag hops)
• Boiled for 60 mins -- this was a "choked" boil. I was afraid of a boil over due to boiling in a turkey fryer and couldn't achieve a rolling boil, but the water was still at a boil
• Once it finished boiling for 60 min, I transferred to bucket and back to boiling container several times and stirred like crazy
• I tossed the wort in an ice bath (wort was 180 degree)
• I set it to chill and came back about 6 hours later and it was 60 degrees
• Took OG Hydrometer reading of 1.075 (calibrated with pure water at 1.065 so true OG was 1.01). Target OG is 1.051
• I hydrated and pitched the yeast at 60 degree
• Airlock activity the next evening
• 4 days later, intense fermentation, fermentation came through airlock
• FG is 1.070 but true FG was 1.005. Target FG was 1.014

Not sure if I had too many Founders KBS or CBC Creepers during the process but I am hesitant to bottle this Odoul's with the fear that this beer will only be 0.5% ABV.

What went wrong?

 

[ancientmariner52]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that either something is wrong with your hydrometer, or you are not using it correctly.

Fermentation is fueled by sugar. If you had vigorous fermentation for a long period, then you had plenty of fuel, therefore you'll have a reasonable percentage of alcohol.

I may be completely wrong, but I think you have made beer, pretty close to your target. I can't imagine how a functional hydrometer, properly used, could read 1.065 in pure water.

 

[DownstairsBrewing]

Something is seriously off there with your hydrometer or your reading. Blood has a specific gravity of around 1.060. Seawater is around 1.025. Distilled water at 4 C is 1, and it is less at lower temperatures (0.998 at 20C). Tap water characteristically has lower specific gravity by a few points due to aeration, but settled drinkable city water just doesn't contain anywhere near that much in solution.

 

[ncbrewer]

I may be completely wrong, but I think you have made beer, pretty close to your target. I can't imagine how a functional hydrometer, properly used, could read 1.065 in pure water.

I agree you probably made beer. As long as you added the recipe amounts of malt extract, steeping grains, and water, the OG will be as planned, or extremely close. I'll note that pouring the wort back and forth (for aeration, I assume) should be done after the wort is cooled.

 

[blubrewbbq]

Like everyone else said.... check your hydrometer. However based on the numbers you gave (1075 OG and 1005 FG) that should be one boozy beer for a Hefe. How did it taste?

If anything you should be worried about it being too hot. You have pics of the hydrometer reading?