why is my OG so low?

[bobtheUKbrewer2]

Today I made a Coopers Australian bitter kit up, the can contains 1.7kg malt extract and the instructions say add 500 gm DME plus 300 gm dextrose. I added 1000gm DME but no dextrose. OG measured with refractometer was 8.2 BRIX. Suspecting poor mixing in the FV I spent 5 minutes rousing from the bottom and generally stirring. I then got the same 8.2 BRIX.

The kit is designed to make 23 litres, I made it to 28 litres. Assuming the kit would have come out at 4% my extra water reduces that to 3.3% but I did add 500 gm DME instead of 300gm dextrose.

Should I add some brewing sugar? but the main question is 8.2 BRIX down to say 5 BRIX ( I never get FG under 5 BRIX with all grain brews) is not going to get me 3.4% ABV. Any thoughts, folks?

 

[hbtasdfg]

Yes add some light malt extract if you have it (liquid is easier to work with) until gravity is 1.050 or so (about 11-12 brix or whatever you want to get to). If you boil it let it cool to 100F or 35C before adding or you will kill the yeast.

With 28 liters need a lot more sugars to achieve this at least 1 kg more. Use 1kg if you want 4% and 2kg for 5%. right now you're looking at around 3% abv

You can use brewing sugar or table sugar in a pinch but an extra 1-2 kg of malt extract may taste better and is probably not much extra cost.

 

[unionrdr]

The Cooper's cans/kits are designed for 23L,or 6.072USG. You got too much water in it for the amounts of ingredients used. 6G would've been fine.

 

[bobtheUKbrewer2]

6 UK gallons = 27 litres