Three weeks later 1.029 - Still going?

[sjp770]

So im doing an all grain APA, two weeks in to ferment I checked it. Didnt smell like beer (compared to the 1 week mark where it smelt beautiful) and had a strong smell almost like alcohol? It measured 1.029 at 16c with the refractometer. I thought it was dead so I left it. Came back a week later it has its beer smell back but still says 1.029.

Any tips? Things i forgot to do in the brew process is oxygenate the cooled wort and add the irish moss (or what ever flocculant i had). I would usually use O2 injected into the transfer line when moving the wort from the boil kettle to the fermenter.

I seem to remember there was something about one of the specific gravity measuring tools and temperature? Do I need to convert that 1.029 reading somehow? I thought the refractometer was temp adjusting.

 

[Wee Jimmy]

Have you checked with a hydrometer? The refractometer is incorrect when alcohol is present. Apparently there is an online converter but best to use hydrometer anytime after you pitch.

 

[Camo6]

You'll need to adjust the reading to allow for alcohol. What was the original gravity?

 

[sjp770]

I'll check with the hydrometer later this arvo. Beersmith has my og saved, I'll post that when I'm home. Knew there was something about the refractometer.

 

[Camo6]

1.029 is about 7.3 Brix. Assuming an average OG of 1.052 and using a convertor for alcohol correction gives a FG of 1.015 and almost 5% abv. Sounds like it might be finished.

 

[sjp770]

1.009 - 1.010.
OG was 1.050

Thanks for the help. Still tastes a bit weird, whats the concensus? Should I Cold crash now and transfer tonight?

 

[Camo6]

Define weird?

I cold crash in my primary for as long as possible but at least a few days. I don't bother transferring to secondary anymore.

If it's been a few weeks and it's at 1010 I'd definitely CC it now.

 

[sjp770]

by weird id say no more than flat warm beer would i guess. I think im being optimistic that it would taste niceish out of the fermenter. CC'ing now, i'll report back tomorrow when I transfer.