Forgot the topoff

[iloman]

I'm visiting some friends while they're doing some brewing, and as he's checking the gravity of an IPA he made two weeks ago to see if it's ready we both realized that there's only about 3 gallons of beer in there. He forgot the topoff water. I'm looking for any recommendations that he should follow for this. Should he add two gallons of water, leave it alone, or brew another and blend?

Thanks,
iloman

[Mylo]

Double IPA it is!!! If it tastes alright, I would just leave it. If he managed to get good attenuation (is dry), but has a too think of a mouthfeel - I'd add some sterilized water - probably not 2 gallons - you have to work out the right proportion on a small scale first. If it's too sweet (not enough attenuation) - I'd brew a 7 gallon batch that's a little drier and blend.


Mylo

[Bugeater]

I agree with Mylo. If you decide to add top off water, be sure you boil first. This isn't for sanitation but rather to drive off the dissolved oxygen. If you don't boil first the beer will oxidize, giving it the taste of wet cardboard. If you guys pitched enough yeast it should be okay. If not, you can try rehydrating some dry yeast (US-06 or Nottingham) and it should ferment out to an acceptable level.

Wayne
Bugeater Brewing Company

[iloman]

Thanks guys! He ended up boiling up about a gallon of water to add and will be watching it to see how it comes out.