Beer Forum

Hey guys, I brewed JZ's belgian golden strong (AG) on 9/24 (148* single infusion mash, OG 1.071), then pitched WLP570 at 65 and let it free rise. A week later, the gravity was down to 1.020. The next week, it was down to 1.012. took a sample last night and I was down to 1.002 for an apparent attenuation of 97%. There are no visual signs of infection, nor are there any off flavors that indicate wild beasties at work.

has anyone ever had attenuation this insane? I'm betting that my hydrometer has fallen out of whack by a few points. I'm confident in my efficiency, so that would explain my low measured efficiency, and if it's out by 4 or 5 points that'd get me back to ~90%ADF, which people have reported achieving with this yeast. I'm planning on bottling tomorrow to see how everything works out with some time.

thanks in advance for any thoughts you guys may have.

mat

The last Belgian Golden Strong I brewed with WY 1338 started at 1.072 and fermented all the way down to 1.003. The beer was awesome and that was only with a 149F mash. Since the ABV% was over 9%, giving the beer a long cold secondary in my chest freezer made it taste even better. Just finished the last of the keg last week, and I definitely have got to brew up another one!

So, getting back to your question, have no fears. Your beer will be tasty even if it attenuated a bit too far. That is one of those styles where a little overattenuation probably doesn't make too much of a difference providing you give it some time for the alcohol to smooth over a bit.

Yep. 570 will attenuate nicely even at higher FG's

@brewinhard

Is 1338 - or did you mean 1388 - a low flocuator like 570?

I once ordered and received a pack of 1388 from Northern Brewer but the invoice said 1338, so they get them confused too. I think it finished at around .005 for my belgian strong golden and tatsed great. I plan on using it again.

DBear wrote:Yep. 570 will attenuate nicely even at higher FG's

@brewinhard

Is 1338 - or did you mean 1388 - a low flocuator like 570?

Oops, my bad. I meant 1388. Yeah, I don't think a good belgian golden strong ale could be made with the european ale strain. Sorry D-bear! Good eye, good eye!

everything turned out alright, just sampled one of my bottles. needs more time I think but it's drinkable at this point. fuck this yeast though, i can't stand it not flocculating.

nikkormat wrote:everything turned out alright, just sampled one of my bottles. needs more time I think but it's drinkable at this point. fuck this yeast though, i can't stand it not flocculating.

I waited 6 mos before I started drinking mine. I think that helped it to be one of my best beers ever.