Fermentation in the bottle/barrel

[jonnymorris]

I'm going to bottle my stout tonight which has bottomed out at 1020 and am wondering if I can expect much movement from this in the bottle, i.e. does 'secondary fermentation' have any signifacant effect on specific gravity?

 

[pittsy]

That seems a little high , what was your starting gravity and how long has it been fermenting (i take it you've done a final G reading over 2 to 3 days and its remained constant)? you may want to stir it and leave for a few days more then if you've got a 2nd bucket transfer it to that for a week (4-8 day) to allow it to settle before bottling :)

 

[jonnymorris]

It is high. It started 2 weeks ago at 1042 and seemed stuck after a week at 1023. I gave it a stir and its only moved to 1020 after another week. It's fairly stable now but I'm conscious that it's high and will result in a week beer at c.3%. I may leave it another week in a second FV as you suggest.

Back to the original question... can I expect it to drop much/any further once bottled?

 

[pittsy]

i dont think it will , another thing i would try is add more yeast just try add same type , but i 'm not totaly sure i'd bet it won't,

 

[artiums_enteri]

1.020 is a bit high for an FG. I'd leave it in primary another week or two and take a few more gravity readings to see if it drops a few points.

Was a starter used? What temp was the beer fermented at? If you don't drop a few more points in a week I would rack to a secondary and pitch another resilient yeast like 1056 that can attenuate down in a stressful environment. I'm not sure I'd bottle at such a high gravity for fear of bottle bombs.

 

[jonnymorris]

Artiums, don't you ever go leaving this forum. Despite talking a different language, its experience like yours that the relative novices amongst us (or me at least) sign up for in the first place.

I will take yours and Pittsy's advice (already conscious the 1020 is too high) and try pitching some more yeast to get my stout back on its feet.

Cheers.

 

[artiums_enteri]

Speaking a different language? Damn it I thought I was speaking English...