Help - low OG

[slowdrinker]

Hello,
Tried my first extract brew today - used a recipe that called for steeping 350g of crystal malt for 30mins then adding two kilos of light dried malt and boiling for 90 mins with various hopping steps (I assume the hops are not relevant to OG ?)

Made it up to the 5 gallon line on the fv - have been waiting for a few hours for it to cool from 26 degrees, but it seems to be taking its time.

Just checked the OG and it is 1020 !!! - recipe suggest it should be more like 1035.

The malt I used is this one http://www.thethriftyshopper.co.uk/brew ... t-1kg.aspx x2 and I got the crystal malt from there too.

I remembered that I needed to correct for temperature, but his only made it 1023.

Any ideas where I have gone wrong ?

Will the beer be OK ? I don't mind lower alcohol (in fact its a boon for me) but will it even brew ? I've pitched in a packet of safeale-04 just now.

[floydmeddler]

It will ferment but will probably taste very watery to be honest. If I were you, I'd buy a tin of liquid malt extract and chuck it in.

[slowdrinker]

Thanks Floyd,
I've got a bag of beer kit enhancer - was planning to try it later, but I guess this will do ?

I can't understand how I can have lost so much OG, or could it be that the spraymalt is at fault - I didn't weigh it, but they were definitely 1Kg bags not 500g.

I just chucked them in the boil and gave it a quick stir - should I have added them differently ? As it was boiling around for over an hour I figured it would all be mixed in pretty well...

[floydmeddler]

Seems that you did everything right. My brewing program tells me that you should have hit the 1039 so am a little confused myself. I can only assume the DME is the problem. the good thing though is that you have some kit enhancer. I'd get it added ASAP.

[slowdrinker]

Pulled out a saucepan full, added in the enhancer, whisked it with a bit of heat to help it dissolve. Let it cool. Put it back in.

Now gives an OG of 1042 - bit more than I wanted, but better than wasting the beer.

[floydmeddler]

Pulled out a saucepan full, added in the enhancer, whisked it with a bit of heat to help it dissolve. Let it cool. Put it back in.

Now gives an OG of 1042 - bit more than I wanted, but better than wasting the beer.

1042 is more like it! I don't settle for anything lower than 1050. Drinking my 9.4% Belgian ale at the minute here. Have to admit. Feeling a bit dizzy!

[Chicken Dipper]

This used to happen to me all the time when I used to do extract brews, I was forever adding extra to hit the target strength. The yeast makes a difference, as some ferment down further (nottingham) were s-04 and more so windsor seem to leave sweetness to the beer as the OG will be higher.
Glad you got the OG sorted.

[slowdrinker]

Thanks CD. I was doubting my basic counting skills. Did you find extract variable, or always lower than the recipe/calculator ? I've got another set of the same ingredients, but It will be a month or two yet until I get another brew on.

[slowdrinker]

Barrelled the brew yesterday - the trub ( is that the right term for the stuff at the bottom) had loads of big cheesy lumps as I tipped it away. I guess that is where my 20 point went.

Any tips on adding the dried malt extract for my next brew greatly appreciated.

[Chicken Dipper]

e mail sent, apologies for late reply

[EoinMag]

Did you correct the reading for temperature? You said it's taking an age to cool so what temperature was it when you took the hydrometer reading, if it's over 20c you have to correct it.

[slowdrinker]

Did you correct the reading for temperature? You said it's taking an age to cool so what temperature was it when you took the hydrometer reading, if it's over 20c you have to correct it.

Yes - used the calc - only brought it up to 1022 corrected from 26 to 16 degrees. Anyway, will see what it tastes like in a few weeks, and will report back.

[slowdrinker]

Just done a second brew with the identical ingredients - all ordered at the same time. OG came out 1025 this time. Temp was 13degrees (cooled the stockpot in the snow for too long) but correction is negligible. I'm going to let this one run at 1025 - if it get down to below 1010 it might be reasonable. I'm unsure if I like the 'Wonky" - its been 3.5 weeks in the barrell now - I'll keep this new batch in the FV for a couple of weeks, and see if the Wonky improves, if not it can clean the drains and make way for the 'Watery'. If thats no good, I'll go back to Kits for a while

[EoinMag]

1.025 or 1.035?

[EoinMag]

I think that recipe should be 3KG of malt extract, it's not too late to add another kilo without a boil to bring it up to a decent OG, it might be a bit hazier than if boiled, but with extract it shouldn't make a terrible difference.