Stone Levitation take 2

[Beer-lord]

Hot and humid out but I got an early start. Still have 35 minutes to the boil but I am already way over my numbers. I added a bit of extra water too. Should end up at 1.054 and I'm already at 1.055 and will likely reach 1.060 so I think I'll hold back some of the wort in the fermenter and add more water and see if that can get me closer. Not a big deal but I don't want a big beer either.
How can I be 1/2 gallon more water and be so much higher?
And, I split the starter in two but now I may have to use part of the second starter I had saved if this ends up this high. I know one thing, fusels ain't in this picture.

[BlackDuck]

I guess you are the man when it comes to converting those grains.!!

Seriously, I'm not sure what could have happened. Maybe a miss measure on the grains, maybe a miss measure in the original amount of water....there really could be a number of things that could have happened. But what is done is done. You could just keep adding water until you get to your desired gravity. And if you run out of room in your fermenter, you could break out one of those old LBK's and put the rest in that.

[Beer-lord]

I just added a bit of water and got it down to 1.055. That's good enough for me. I'm already OCD enough.

[Kealia]

So, was 1.055 your OG for this batch or was that a still-in-process number?

[Beer-lord]

I usually take a refractometer reading then a normal reading with the hydrometer (which is always a bit higher) so I just let it alone with the refractometer reading....1.055 was it.
The freezer is working great. Keeping it at a solid 66 degrees and fermentation started within a few hours.
I'm going to take the blow off tube off tomorrow and put the airlock on and set it to 68 as I want to make sure fermentation finishes and doesn't get stuck.

[Kealia]

So you'll end up higher in ABV than the original (1.047) but as long as you can preserve the flavor profile you should be good to go. Not that it won't be a good beer if you don't.

I seem to always finish around 1.016 on this beer likely due to the higher mash temp.

[Inkleg]

The one I'm drinking now was OG of 1.050 and FG of 1.014, fermented at 65* the whole time.
The 007 range is 65-70 so I don't think you'll have any problems with it sticking.
Man this is a great Amber to have on tap.

[Beer-lord]

I'm looking forward to this as well. Ever since the bomb with it last year, I've been wanting to redo it and should have done it by now. But, I like to have 1 low ABV around and this one fit that bill too.

[Beer-lord]

Dry hopped this today and will keg on Saturday.
I'm only down to 1.020 instead of 1.016 but I was also 4 points above OG so I'm right where I need to be. Tasted pretty good. No fusels this time, that's for damn sure. Not a hint of sweetness so I'm sure it's done 4.75% so it's where I want it to be.
Gonna leave it alone for 3 days then chill it down to 35 for 2 days before kegging.

[Kealia]

Nice. I think I'm of the opinion that the OG and FG don't matter with this beer. It turns out good no matter what (read: even if Paul brews it!)

Seriously, that's great. I know you have to take a break from the brewing so this will be something nice to keep you company.

For inspiration:

[Beer-lord]

Sure, just keep picking on Paul like a big bugger! But just like a big bugger, I'm stickin' around.

I keep hoping the Coconut improves more but know it won't. The Mosaic might have been saved to 'drinkable' due to keg hopping. For now, those will have to do.

[RedBEERd]

Nice. I think I'm of the opinion that the OG and FG don't matter with this beer. It turns out good no matter what (read: even if Paul brews it!)

Seriously, that's great. I know you have to take a break from the brewing so this will be something nice to keep you company.

For inspiration:

I HATE that I have to drink his mistakes all the time....but he's family so.......one does what one is expected to do.

[Beer-lord]

Wow, I'll say it again, Wow! This Levitation, while not my best beer, was saved, just like my Mosaic IPA by keg hopping. It's not the real deal Levitation, but a tasty, semi-hoppy beer with great legs and not filling or over done. It's dark but doesn't have a darrk taste. Really, surprised the crap out of me just 1 week later. After making some sucky beers in a row, I now have 2 that I can drink and not have to go to the fridge to grab real beer.
I just may be back and hope to keep on a roll and that's saying alot since I'm so hard on myself. See Chris, being OCD pays off.

Levitation.JPG (319.42 KiB) Viewed 712 times

[BlackDuck]

Nothin wrong with OCD when your making beer!!! Looks like a good pour my friend!!!

[Beer-lord]

Just finished pour #2. Had to make sure I wasn't crazy. Maybe a tad drier when it warms up but I'd make this again................without the brewing salts.