Question about OG and vodka

[jrc64]

Brewed up a pumpkin ale recipe yesterday. Recipe called for OG of 1.04, but mine came in at 1.03. Was hoping to hit around 4%-4.5% alcohol on this. Do I have hope?

Also, I will be soaking a vanilla bean and cinnamon sticks in 8 ounces vodka. When I add to the secondary, do I add just the liquid, just the vodka or both?

Thanks

 

[wonderbread23]

Are you doing all grain or extract? If extract, it would be tough to miss your gravity by that much unless your volumes are off.

8oz of vodka would be a lot to add to a beer starting at 1.030. I would try to use the minimal amount necessary to cover the bean and cinnamon, and then dump it all in ---- maybe 2-3 ounces.

 

[WoodlandBrew]

From 1.030 to 1.000 would be 4% ABV, but 75% apparent attenuation is more likely. It will probably finish about 3% ABV.

I would add the liquid of the extract that you have made and leave the cinnamon sticks and vanilla bean behind.

8oz of 80 proof vodka will add about 0.5% ABV to a 5 gallon batch.

 

[jrc64]

Are you doing all grain or extract? If extract, it would be tough to miss your gravity by that much unless your volumes are off.

8oz of vodka would be a lot to add to a beer starting at 1.030. I would try to use the minimal amount necessary to cover the bean and cinnamon, and then dump it all in ---- maybe 2-3 ounces.

It was a Midwest extract kit. Included specilaty grains as well. Recipe said if you can 2-3 gallons during boil, but if you can do more than go ahead. I have an 8 gallon pot, so I did a 6 gallon boil knowing I'd lose about a gallon during the boil. Could that be the difference?