To add H2o or Not

[Toy4Rick]

Hey gang,

Doing my second brew (Hef), only my first in a 5gal bucket and when i started fermentation, I was right at 4.8 gal due to being a bit short on malt extract and malt grains..., after a week i am down to about 4.4 gals, should I top off now before fermentation stops or at the end before I bottle or leave it alone?

Thanks in advance
Toy4Rick

 

[Gunfighter04]

Don't add water after fermentation has started. Just go with what you have.

 

[Yooper]

Taste it. If you taste it and say, "this beer is good, but would be even better watered down!", then add some water. Few beers taste good watered down, though.

 

[ntaylor0]

I agree with the other posters, always add water before the yeast never after.

 

[Toy4Rick]

Thanks everyone.

After taking a reading today I noticed the krausen had originally risen to about 3" above the wort so if I added water now, all that dried krausen would go back into the beer, not a good idea on second thought.

SG today is 1.016, getting close

Toy4Rick

 

[RobWalker]

I'm always gutted when you leave a liter or two behind in the bucket because of the yeast, especially losing that little bit when it's a 1 gallon batch...I even return what I've taken readings from, if I don't drink them!

But yeah, you're gonna lose a bit, it's a fact of brewing sadly...but hell, it's not much when you consider how little most brews cost.