Beer Forum

I brewed my stout back on July 4 and took a reading on it yesterday and it was right at 1.030. I'm pretty sure I under pitched on this batch. Any help would be appreciated.

4 lbs Briess Dark DME
3 lbs Briess Golden Light DME
2.5 lbs Briess 6-Row Chocolate
1.0 lb Briess 2-Row Caramel

2 oz. Williamette 60 min
1 oz. US Goldings 15 min
1 oz. Fuggles 5 min

2 vials WLP-004 Irish Ale (no starter)

SG: 1.074 (Ibrewmaster) 1.082 (actual)
FG: 1.023 (Ibrewmaster) 1.030 (actual)

Thanks, guys.

Can you do a starter? If so start up a big pitch of 004 and toss it in there while its at high krausen. If you can't do a starter, try putting a packet of US04 in it.

Welcome to the asshattery, Jim.
Good to see you on this site too.

+1 on Jim's advice.
Pitch a packet of US-04 or better yet get it up to full krausen in a small starter.

Steve

I have a 1 liter Erlenmeyer. Would that be big enough, or should I just throw the US-05 in there? Thanks, guys.

I don't have experience with dark extracts, so this is just a thought. But, it may be possible that the dark DME is not as fermentable, and this is as low as it will get. The advice I have seen regarding making dark beers with extract is to use the lightest extract possible for the majority of the fermentables, then adjust color and flavor with steeping grains.

Raoul_Duke_PhD wrote:I have a 1 liter Erlenmeyer. Would that be big enough, or should I just throw the US-05 in there? Thanks, guys.

I'd do a great big starter, so in your case maybe just hydrate and try the 05

Klickitat Jim wrote:

Raoul_Duke_PhD wrote:I have a 1 liter Erlenmeyer. Would that be big enough, or should I just throw the US-05 in there? Thanks, guys.

I'd do a great big starter, so in your case maybe just hydrate and try the 05

Wouldn't it be better to pitch an active starter, even if it is only 1L?

I think 1L will be plenty.