To late to increase volume?

[BenS]

So I brewed an irish red last night and my OG is 1.060. It's been in the fermenter with yeast since last night and it's filled to just under the 5 gal mark. I got to thinking this morning that the OG is a little bit higher than I'd like it. Do you think it would be possible to add 3/4 gal. of boiled water to it before fermentation really takes off or just leave it as is? Keep in mind that it's a red so I'd like it to stay that color and I honestly don't know how much it would mess with the IBU's if I dumped it in there. Any thoughts?

Oh, I used wyeast 1084 irish ale yeast, 75% accen.

 

[jagg]

So I brewed an irish red last night and my OG is 1.060. It's been in the fermenter with yeast since last night and it's filled to just under the 5 gal mark. I got to thinking this morning that the OG is a little bit higher than I'd like it. Do you think it would be possible to add 3/4 gal. of boiled water to it before fermentation really takes off or just leave it as is? Keep in mind that it's a red so I'd like it to stay that color and I honestly don't know how much it would mess with the IBU's if I dumped it in there. Any thoughts?

Oh, I used wyeast 1084 irish ale yeast, 75% accen.

I think Id just let it be, thats a lot of trouble for that small amount, I dont think you would be able to tell the difference, just remember next time to up your water volume a bit, soon you will be nailing your volumes, good luck.

 

[Foamenter]

It'll mess with your IBUs just like everything else, it will dilute them. I'd estimate you'll lose about 15% on your IBUs and gravity.

Read up on brewing high gravity, that's basically what you'd be doing. I've added water to fully fermented, carbed beer that was high gravity, and hoppy, and had it end up great.

 

[hal2814]

Are you bottling or kegging? If bottling, just add that much water when bringing your priming sugar to a boil. That's what I always did. You just have to make sure to let it cool enough before racking onto it. If I'm kegging, I just fill to the top with water if I'm really short. Not exactly sanitary but my kegs don't last long enough to matter.

 

[TipsyDragon]

i say don't bother with adding water. next time brew a little more than 5 gallons and that should get you through the rackings with enough beer to fill your bottles.

 

[BenS]

Ok, I guess i need to add more info. This was an all grain batch and I just overshot my target OG. I was planning on 1.053-55. I like my irish reds mildly bitter so there's only about 20 IBU's in it at its current volume. SRM should be around 17 right now. Would it become a psuedo-red if I watered it down?

I'm bottling.

 

[TipsyDragon]

i would think yes. a watered down beverage is never good and thats what i think you would end up with.

 

[Foamenter]

high SG wort + H2O = proper SG wort

It's a good thing.

Seriously, read this https://www.homebrewtalk.com/wiki/index.php/High_Gravity_Brewing

Here's what I would do.

1. Wait till it's done fermenting.
2. Taste it.

If you want it lighter, add extra water when priming.(you can experiment with the ratio on a sample before adding to the bottling bucket.)

 

[elmetal]

+1 on adding at bottling.