Good FG for Barley Wine

[booldawg]

What would be a good Final Gravity for Barley Wine? The instructions didnt really give any indications. As the commerically produced barley wine that I've tasted seems a bit more syrupy than normal beer I'm assuming that attenuation stops at a higher gravity. The OG was 1088.

Also as I've only made 24 pints the hydrometer has hit the bottom of the FV. I'll probably just check for CO2 bubbles each day and draw some off through the tap to check the gravity on the 10th day. I dont fancy drawing it off every day when theres only 24 pints in there.

[steve_flack]

Unless the beer contains any sugar, you'll be looking at an FG in the 1020-1024 area probably. Added sugar will lower the FG.

[booldawg]

thanks Steve. I didnt add any extra sugar, I thought the OG of 1088 was plenty!

[Doug]

I am a Barley Winer or some might say (Wheeeener).
The FG has always been spot on 1020 for mine. As a noob I thought I was doing something wrong as most people go on about 1010 being optimal, but I now think 1010 is for normal lighter beers rather than the heavier Barley Wines.

I could be wrong though I am notorious for that.

Doug

[booldawg]

Thanks Doug, 1020 would make me more than happy at the 9% mark. I read that the Samuel Adams brewery in Boston, US had brewed one up to 30%