Yeast Attenuation Safale S04

[Muddy Funker]

Hi guys,

I've just checked the gravity on AG#3 which is a honey beer recipe from the forum.
The starting gravity was 1052 and what I've just seen is 1006.

I pitched two packets of S04 around ten days ago and this is the first time i've checked it. I'm cetainly not expecting it to drop further!

I checked and triple checked both gravity readings before and after fermantation and didn't forget to temperature correct.

Is this because I pitched two packets?

It's not a huge problem I'm just curious, though I would like to tighten up the accuracy with the final abv. This is coming in at 6.1% which again isn't a problem. I was expecting it to finish off with a higher gravity reading giving me a lower abv and a little less chance of brain damage!

Many Thanks! :

 

[robsan77]

did you temp correct the reading?

 

[tubby_shaw]

Certain adjuncts like sugar and honey will ferment completely leaving no residual sugars to raise the gravity unlike if you have an all malt brew
This is what I think has happened to your beer, the honey has completely fermented raising the abv but lowering the gravity :thumb:

 

[Dunfie]

S-04 typically ferments to a medium attenuation so you would expect around 75% (ish). However you also need to take into account the mash temperature and also the amount of honey added.

It is not to do with the two packets of yeast - upping the pitching rate will reduce the lag time in using up the oxygen and give the yeast a better chance to behave itself properly and within the expected limits.

 

[bones]

Yep... the honey will thin the beer but will give a lovely "locket" flavour.... :

Enjoy :thumb:

 

[Muddy Funker]

Lovely,

Thanks for the answers guys!!

I'll remember that for next time, nearly a kilo of honey was too much honey lol :whistle: