Trouble reaching projected OG

[MountainGoatBrewing]

Ok, for the second batch in a row, I'm getting a lower reading on the hydrometer than expected...in the case of the batch I just did today, much lower.

It's a Breakfast Stout clone...and the beer calculus calculator estimated 1.090 and a final ABV of 8.9%, which is slightly above the original brew's 8.3%.

However, we got 1.052 with a temperature correction of 1.065. That seems drastically low, and if even if the FG gets to where it's supposed to be (1.023), we'll end up with a ~5.5% beer.

We followed the recipe pretty damn close, except for throwing the oats in for only 20 of the 30 minute steep.

What the f?

 

[david_42]

Is this extract? If so, there is something wrong with your hydrometer. Extract batches can't be that far off.

 

[sonex]

with extract brewing the only way your OG can be wrong is if your volume is wrong.

 

[MountainGoatBrewing]

Yeah - it's extract. 2 Gallon boil, and topped up to 5...pretty much the same as all the others I've done so far.

 

[OHIOSTEVE]

probably not well mixed before taking sample. As was stated it is ALMOST impossible for an extract batch to be off like that unless you have way too much volume.

 

[Revvy]

We get this question 3-4 times every day, so you're not alone. And in reality, nothing's wrong.

It's a pretty common issue for ANYONE topping off with water in the fermenter (and that includes partial mashes, extract or all grain recipes) to have an error in reading the OG...In fact, it is actually nearly impossible to mix the wort and the top off water in a way to get an accurate OG reading...

Brewers get a low reading if they get more of the top off water than the wort, conversely they get a higher number if they grabbed more of the extract than the top off water in their sample.

RM-MN has a great analogy;

This phenomenon is easy to see if you have a glass measure cup, some dark honey, and water. Pour in half a cup of water into the glass container, then dribble in some honey. Notice the honey sinks right to the bottom? It's more dense because of the sugar it contains. Now use a toothpick to stir the water above the honey. This will simulate using a spoon in a 5 gallon container. Did you get the honey mixed in? Not likely. If you drop in some dry yeast, it will find the honey and begin eating and the activity of the yeast will mix the honey in just fine.

When I am doing an extract with grain recipe I make sure to stir for a minimum of 5 minutes (whipping up a froth to aerate as well) before I draw a grav sample and pitch my yeast....It really is an effort to integrate the wort with the top off water...This is a fairly common new brewer issue we get on here...unless you under or over topped off or the final volume for the kit was 5 gallons and you topped off to 5.5, then the issue, sorry to say, is "operator error"

More than likely your true OG is really what it's supposed to be. And it will mix itself fine during fermentation.

And just use the number it says in the instructions as the true OG, because it will be.

So the answer is, relax and do nothing.

 

[MountainGoatBrewing]

much obliged, Revvy!

 

[onthedot]

And it will mix itself fine during fermentation.

I've always wondered about taking a post-fermentation sample and if it was accurate or if the sugars had sunk to the bottom (similiar to leaving different liquids like oil and water in a cup... even after mixing them they eventually settle back to their layers). It seems like it would be best to shake it but I wouldn't want to disturb the sediment at the bottom of the carboy.

 

[hough77]

I've asked the same question, the conversion to sugars was already done for you, unless you didn't add all of the ingredients or used too much top off water, it will turn out fine. The yeast will mix it up nice for you so you should be fine. In my experience the only way to screw up an extract batch is fermentation temps, starters, and over or under pitching etc.
Fermentation and patience is key IMO.