I've read a lot of threads on the "stuck fermentation" question but have not come across my scenario. I hope you can help me understand what might be going on with this batch. The data tells me fermentation is complete but the last measured SG is higher than I believe it should be. Here are the details:
- Scottish Wee Heavy from Northern Brewer extract kit
- OG 1.080 11/12/23 pitched two packs of S-04 yeast @ 68-70 deg F
- 11/13/23 fermentation started
- 11/14-18/23 vigorous fermentation
- 11/20/23 fermentation slowed significantly
- SG 1.024 11/21/23 racked to secondary on this date
- SG 1.022 11/25/23 pitched another pack of S-04 yeast, temp consistent @ 68-70 deg F
- No additional fermentation seen between 11/25-11/29
- SG 1.022 11/29/23
My thinking: I believe fermentation is complete but am interested in your thoughts/ideas.
My experiment: Today I used a thief to draw-out two 16-oz bottles from the secondary. I dropped a single priming drop (Coopers) into each bottle, capped and put them in a utility sink (68-70 deg) as an "experimental" conditioning to see if they explode in the next few weeks. (I've never used priming drops but thought this would be a good way to condition just two bottles). If there is any interest in this thread I will post the results here in a few weeks.
Thanks for your thoughts/ideas!
- Scottish Wee Heavy from Northern Brewer extract kit
- OG 1.080 11/12/23 pitched two packs of S-04 yeast @ 68-70 deg F
- 11/13/23 fermentation started
- 11/14-18/23 vigorous fermentation
- 11/20/23 fermentation slowed significantly
- SG 1.024 11/21/23 racked to secondary on this date
- SG 1.022 11/25/23 pitched another pack of S-04 yeast, temp consistent @ 68-70 deg F
- No additional fermentation seen between 11/25-11/29
- SG 1.022 11/29/23
My thinking: I believe fermentation is complete but am interested in your thoughts/ideas.
My experiment: Today I used a thief to draw-out two 16-oz bottles from the secondary. I dropped a single priming drop (Coopers) into each bottle, capped and put them in a utility sink (68-70 deg) as an "experimental" conditioning to see if they explode in the next few weeks. (I've never used priming drops but thought this would be a good way to condition just two bottles). If there is any interest in this thread I will post the results here in a few weeks.
Thanks for your thoughts/ideas!