Coopers Lage - Is my OG and FG ok?

[nnylf18]

Hi, I bottled my first ever brew last Thursday and the OG I got before I added the yeast was 1036. I checked the FG (through tap not opening FV) after the 5th day and it was 1016, I then checked again on the 6th and it was 1014 and then 1014 again on the 7th and 8th day so I decided to bottle on the 8th day. I am just a bit concerned that the FG was a bit high as the instructions stated that the FG should be coming in lower. That means that the ABV% will be just under 3.5 . Did I do anything wrong? I used enhancer 1 and the supplied yeast. The frothy head has disappeared and there seemed to be no activity and the air lock had no activity at all throughout the 8 days (well that i seen anyway). I pitched at 21/22 oC and the FV was sitting in my linen cupboard and sitting in temps ranging from 20-22oC. I used Star San to sanitize and I made sure everything got sanitized properly. Is this brew destined for the drain? Or will I just be stuck with a weak ass beer? I plan to leave in bottles for at least 7 weeks but I think I would be heart broken if after the 7 weeks I crack open a bottle and it taste like pish! Any advice would be most appreciated.

[Beer O'Clock]

It's not unusual to get this occassionaly. I have had it once and was a bit concerned but when I tasted the final product it was fine. It definitely tasted stronger than my calculations suggested.

I now make sure to 'temperature correct' all readings. Also making sure to use the same hydrometer reading technique (early on I would read one from the top of the muniscus and the next approx position relative to the main fluid level).
Sometimes the hydrometer can be wrong. If you knock a cheaper hydrometer, the paper insert can move giving a different reading.

My advice now would be to wait and see. In the meantime get another brew on and see what happens.

[nnylf18]

Thanks for the advice, I read somewhere about 'temperature correcting' the readings but I'm not 100% sure how to do it. I will read up on it and do it the next time. Thanks again you have made me feel a bit more confident with my first brew. I am now thinking about my second brew - maybe a Canadian Blonde or I was reading up on the San Fran Steam beer kit and it looks interesting.

[sparky Paul]

For a kit plus a kilo of enhancer, an OG of 1036 is a bit low - an OG of about 1040 is more usual. A common reason for a low OG is the enhancer or spraymalt not being 100% dissolved when taking the reading, or perhaps your wort was a little warm. In any case, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

Hydrometers are often supplied with instructions explaining how to correct for temperature, but a very rough rule of thumb around fermentation temperatures is to add 1 point per 4°C over the calibration temperature of the hydrometer. The calibration temperature should be marked on the hydrometer, but they are usually 20°C or 15.9°C.

[Beer O'Clock]

http://www.rooftopbrew.net/abv.php

Try using this tool.
It will temp correct for you.

[bungle666]

I was advised upon purchase of my coopers lager to fill to 20 instead of 23litres when topping up the FV. it gave me a superb lager of about 4% ABV. dont forget the priming sugar will bang it up a point or 2 aswell!!

B..

[Swiller]

Also don't go by the the measurements on the side of
the FV if there are any as they can be a few litres out,
when I bought mine I checked them to find the 22 litre
mark was actually 26 in one of them and between 24 and
25 litres in the others.
Just a thought.

J

[GazOC]

I've done 10 or so Coopers lager kits now with BE or spraymalt/ sugar and every single one has started at 1039-1040 and finished at 1004-1005 to give a 4.5(ish) ABV.

[nnylf18]

Thanks everyone for your help it is most appreciated. When I think back the enhancer went a bit lumpy when I added the 2litres of hot water at the start so maybe it wasn't dissolved properly. I will play the waiting game for now and if it tastes ok then happy days and to test the ABV I will have to just drink a few bottles and I see how it goes!

[sparky Paul]

When I think back the enhancer went a bit lumpy when I added the 2litres of hot water at the start so maybe it wasn't dissolved properly.

You'll be pleased to know that it won't be any detriment to the finished beer, the spraymalt will gradually dissolve in the fermenter. I'll just be a bit stronger than you expected!