Slow Belgian Wit

akenthusiast · Aug 5, 2011

Hi everybody. First time poster, still fairly new to the game. I have a question/musing about WYEAST 3944 primary. So, I pitched a week ago (July 29, 2011), today is the 5th of Aug. My OG was 1.049, and after a week I'm only at 1.025. I'm not going to mess with it, other than swirling up the carboy a couple times a day to try to get the yeasties back in suspension.

The problem is... I'm leaving to go on a research cruise in the Bering Sea on the 17th, for 2 weeks. That only leaves me 12 days, and the SG is only a little better than half way there. The new plan is to just leave it in the primary and bottle a day or two before i go, assuming I'm near my target (~1.012). If not, I guess I'll rack to 2ndary and wait to bottle till I get back. Clearly though, I was hoping to drink it when I get home. IDEAS/THOUGHTS

6 gal. batch
6.6 lbs Coopers wheat LME (3.3 at 60m, 3.3 at 15m)
1lb Briess light DME (60m)

0.7oz Mt. Hood (60m)

3.5oz Sitka Spruce tips (I had these left over, picked them myself)
0.7oz. Whole Coriander lightly crushed (5m)
1oz. Sweet Orange Zest (2m)
0.5oz. Pink Grapefruit Zest (2m)

WYEAST 3944

On the bright side, the sample was delicious, even if a little sweet yet!

phenry · Aug 5, 2011

3944 is just a slow working yeast. Mine finished up in about 3 weeks, 1.052-1.010. Leaving it in the primary for the time you're on the cruise won't hurt it if it's not finished fermenting.

TheBrewinator · Aug 5, 2011

I must have got lucky, I had my latest wit which I brewed with 3944 (first was with WLP400) and it ripped it from 1.052 to 1.010 in about 10 days. I was expecting it to take forever like WLP400. Only thing to do is swirl it a bit and wait, it should do its thing.

phenry · Aug 5, 2011

Yeah I didn't make a starter like I usually do and just pitched the smack pack into the wort. With a starter I'm sure my results would be closer to yours. It did take a while, but it sure is tasty.

akenthusiast · Aug 6, 2011

If I leave it in there over the whole cruise it will have been in my primary for almost 5 weeks. That seems like too long to be left sitting on the trub.

McGarnigle · Aug 6, 2011

akenthusiast said:
If I leave it in there over the whole cruise it will have been in my primary for almost 5 weeks. That seems like too long to be left sitting on the trub.

It isn't too long.