I’m on my second batch, the first being a Coopers hopped extract kit. This batch is from a Midwest Supplies Snow Plow Porter extract kit. Brew day was May 29th. OG is 1.072 (goal is 1.065).
After 2 days of vigorous airlock bubbling, the bubbling almost stopped completely. SG is 1.032 (target is 1.018). I pitched another packet of Lallemand Windsor. No increase in airlock activity.
Day 11: Gave the wort a stir. SG still 1.032. Airlock bubbling increased in the next day or two.
Day 25: Airlock bubbling every 1-2 minutes.
Day 42: Added oak cubes that had been soaking in bourbon with vanilla beans.
Day 52 (today): Airlock bubbling every 3 - 3 1/2 minutes (which I understand may not be the result of fermentation). SG is still 1.032. Again, the target is 1.018. The beer tastes good.
Is this beer ready to bottle? How far off of a target FG is acceptable?
It’s done. When it’s done, it’s done. Many extracts have poor fermentability. That’s all this is. If you use the same brand of extract again in the future, trade some of the extract for plain white table sugar and you’ll get closer to the final gravity you wanted. Or, try a different brand of extract next time. Also, be aware that Windsor ale yeast is a poor attenuator around 60% anyway, so that’s why that didn’t help.
Guess I’ll be the one to ask how you measured your FG? Hydrometer or refractometer? Only the hydro will give you a proper read after alcohol is introduced without using a calculation to adjust the refractometer
