pitching with less than 5 gals

[AK_Phil]

For my 3rd batch I used about 4.5 gals of water and I ended up with about 3.5 gals of liquid. I was brewing a dubbel.

7lbs pale malt extract
3lbs pilsner (Infusion mash)
1/2lbs munich
5oz biscuit
3oz aromatic
2.5lbs sugar

It turned into a monster at 10.4% IBU. Doesn't taste like any belgian I've ever had. It's almost like a whiskey ale if such a thing exists.

Can you add water after 2nd ferment and expect it to bottle condition properly? I almost considered this but didn't have the knowledge to feel confident about it.

thanks

 

[Cold Country Brewery]

So you didn't top it off to 5 gallons before you pitched the yeast? That's why you ended up with the monster 10.4%. That's also why it didn't taste like a Dubbel.

I guess I don't see why it would screw anything up by adding water to the secondary, but who knows.