Superfast fermentation

[homebrewnewbie]

I brewed a stout last saturday, and the OG was 1056. The gravity has already reached 1012 in just 7 days. Should I let it rest a few more days, or go ahead and bottle it? Also, how the heck did it ferment that quickly?! I've never seen a batch go so quickly.

I also have a pale ale in secondary, it's been there for a week, two weeks total fermenting, and it has a short way to go before it's ready. So confused someone shed some light.

Details:
Added on 1 LB of honey to the primary fermentor after 1 day. I read on a blog that this was perfectly fine if going for a mild honey flavor, but it will raise the gravity.

Pitched a 1000ml starter: British Ale WLP0005, Floc. high, Att. 73% (relatively high). Starter was very healthy, 36 hours on the stir plate. Not sure if the grain bill is relevant but:

10lbs Marris Otter Pale
12 oz Munich
1 lb Choc. malt
8 oz pale choc malt
12 oz flaked oats
4 oz black patent

6 gallon batch.

 

[bethebrew]

Fermentation temperature? (likely 5 deg above the room temp).

Sounds pretty normal especially with an ale and a starter. Not a big beer either.

 

[kh54s10]

1.012 may not be totally finished. 7 days is not superfast. In fact I would say normal to slow. Wait another week then take a gravity reading. Then wait 2 days and take another. If they are the same you can bottle or check for clarity. If not clear wait even longer.

I often read posts where fermentation temperature was too high and fermentation has stopped by day 3.

I ferment pretty cool so I usually have fermentation end between 5 and 10 days. Usually, I then leave the beer alone to about day 21 before packaging.

 

[homebrewnewbie]

The temp is a steady 69 F. I guess the software im using may be faulty. It show the FG should be 1012-1015. It's a "Sweet Stout". As per my username, I could just be over thinking things.

Also, I have a pale ale that is only down to 1018 in the secondary. Should I transfer the stout to a secondary today?

 

[bethebrew]

The temp is a steady 69 F. I guess the software im using may be faulty. It show the FG should be 1012-1015. It's a "Sweet Stout". As per my username, I could just be over thinking things.

Also, I have a pale ale that is only down to 1018 in the secondary. Should I transfer the stout to a secondary today?

A little confused what the pale ale has to do with the stout?

I would say if racking to secondary seems like it is needed, as in you got a lotta sediment at the bottom then yes. Otherwise, no. Just wait

 

[Trail]

Don't rack. Secondary isnt important unless you are going to be aging the beer for a long time, dry hopping, or adding fruit. Sediment on the bottom is not a problem, and it will help clean up your beer.

 

[bethebrew]

Don't rack. Secondary isnt important unless you are going to be aging the beer for a long time, dry hopping, or adding fruit. Sediment on the bottom is not a problem, and it will help clean up your beer.

Good advice in general. For the newbie that may have ended up with major trub, maybe secondary would be a plus. The idea that all sediment is "not a problem" seems a little optimistic.

 

[Trail]

Good advice in general. For the newbie that may have ended up with major trub, maybe secondary would be a plus. The idea that all sediment is "not a problem" seems a little optimistic.

If he secondaries early, he may have gotten away from the "excess" trub, and he may have prevented it from harming his trub, if he's lucky. He will definitely have robbed himself of the benefits of a long primary. I don't see how this is a win, particularly given the number of people here who have reported dumping some or all of their trub into the fermenter without ill effects.

 

[kh54s10]

The temp is a steady 69 F. I guess the software im using may be faulty. It show the FG should be 1012-1015. It's a "Sweet Stout". As per my username, I could just be over thinking things.

Also, I have a pale ale that is only down to 1018 in the secondary. Should I transfer the stout to a secondary today?

I am not sure what you are worried about. If you have 1.012 and the software predicts 1.012-1.015, where is there any problem? After 7 days it is unlikely to drop much further. A few points low or high is not a significant problem.

You should only transfer to secondary after you have reached final gravity. Or as others have stated you do not have to do a secondary at all.

Wait another 2 days and take a reading. If it is still 1.012 you can, either bottle the beer, transfer to secondary or leave it alone for another week or three. It will clear in primary if you don't want to transfer.