One final shout before re-pitching

[Moonlighter]

I brewed a high gravity extract Porter a while back. It sat in my temperature controller at 62-64 degrees for 10 days (Wyeast 1084), where by all visible aspects it went through a vigorous fermentation. High, healthy krausen that peaked in 3 days and slowly ebbed to day 10. OG 1.084, 5 gallon batch. I can provide the recipe if that helps. Expected final gravity: 1.022

On day 10 I removed the carboy from temperature control and allowed the temperature of the beer to rise to 68 degrees. I find this helps get those last couple points of gravity.

Anyhow, fast forward to week 3. I take my first post fermentation gravity reading and get... 1.040.

So, I swirl and wait another week and get... 1.038. I think I'm stuck.

I did some research and it was suggested that I hydrate some S-04 and repitch.

I know this topic has been discussed a hundred times; I'm just asking, is there anything I should re-try before repitching. Note: The recipe already called for amylase, so I don't want to add any more.

Thanks

 

[benbradford]

shake and raise it to 73 if possible

 

[Exbeerienced]

Ah the always disappointing fermentus interruptus. Do you feel you aerated well enough? What was your method?

 

[TyTanium]

Have you tasted it? And was it a hydrometer or refractometer reading?

If you're going to pitch more yeast, I would highly recommend pitching actively fermenting yeast. I.e., make a small starter, plug it with an airlock and pitch the whole thing at high krausen (~8-12 hours later). Keep the temps warm, ~70F.

 

[Moonlighter]

Always ready to give it more time. I'll bring it up to 73 for 3-4 days and check the gravity.

I feel that I under pitched. I made a 3/4 gallon starter, was shooting for 1 gallon but had to brew before that happened. As the name implies I work two full time jobs. Aeration method is vigorous shaking. Yeast pack was fresh.

 

[benbradford]

Starter on stir plate or no? 1.61 liters if stirplate would have been sufficient. If not on stirplate, then 4.28 liters

You made 2.84 liters or .75 gallons...

 

[Moonlighter]

Yep no stir plate.

 

[benbradford]

I wouldnt think that the under pitching(not by mutch) would be the issue... I would say the temp and the beginning gravity were the issue... Yeast nutrient might help

 

[Moonlighter]

follow up. I swirled, I raised the temp to 72 and waited. Gravity dropped a few points. I figured maybe I didn't add enough amylase so I added another 1/4 tsp. Kept temp at 72. I'm happy to report the gravity dropped to the expected FG in 3 days and stayed there. Waited a week and kegged; carbed up and waited another week. I am now sipping a rather fantastic porter.

Thanks for all the help.