High SG

[Chap]

Hi all,
I've been doing extract for a while now and usually add my final malts (usually 1.5kg liquid light and 1kg liquid wheat) at flameout and let it sit for approx 20mins along with the 0 min hop addition, and end up with an SG of 1.044 - 1.048.

On my last brew though, I got distracted and forgot to add the malts at flameout, and added them after pulling the hop bag at 20 mins, dissolved and straight to the fermenter, and the SG came out at 1.055!

I've never had an SG this high before and would like to know if this will have any abnormal effect on the beer other than increase the abv?

 

[mtb]

Were you measuring gravity at the same temp both times? A 1.046 reading at 50C is actually 1.055, for example. It could be that you normally take your gravity reading shortly after flameout, whereas in your late malts addition scenario you took a gravity reading a little later.

 

[Danscraftbeer]

I'd think its a misreading too. Mix well, take another reading. Malt is tricky sometimes. If added so late its sounds like its not dissolved/mixed evenly. It will sink so if taking a sample from the tap its possible.

 

[Rocker1986]

Maybe as per Dan above, the extract hadn't been mixed in properly. In any case, a known quantity of malt extract in a known quantity of water should give the same OG every time.

What size are your batches and how much extract do you use in the hop boils?

 

[Chap]

Maybe as per Dan above, the extract hadn't been mixed in properly. In any case, a known quantity of malt extract in a known quantity of water should give the same OG every time.

What size are your batches and how much extract do you use in the hop boils?

Batch size is 23 litres, 1kg liquid light malt into 60min boil, remaining 1.5kg liquid light and 1kg liquid wheat into fermenter with wort.

 

[Rocker1986]

At a guess, 3.5kg of LME in 23 litres should give an OG in the high 1.040s. Probably around 1.048-9. I think the 1.055 is a mistake, due to what I don't know but it's too high for the amount of extract and the volume of the batch.

 

[Chap]

Thanks for the input guys, I would normally hit between 1.044 and 1.048 so would expect the same. FWIW I never take a gravity reading until just before I pitch, but I suspect this time with not adding the malts with the final steeping hops, they haven't dissolved into solution enough as mentioned. Cheers for the help!