I have a slightly big ale that started like a rocket, but then pooped out when the temperature plunged into the high 50’s one evening. It started at 1.080 and is now at 1.020. The yeast all flocculated and fell out before it was done when it got cold. The gravity is still a bit high and there is too much diacetyl. I put a heater on the carboy and got the temps back up to 68-70 for a couple weeks, swirling it occasionally to get yeast back in suspension, but there is no change.
I am considering pitching new yeast to get it going again. Is this recommended our might it just create more diacetyl at this stage? What is recommended to clean up the flavor?
Hi Mike,
Wondering what yeast you used? 1.080 down to 1.020 is 75% attenuation, so the particular yeast strain may be done.
If you want lower, you may have to pitch another strain with higher attenuation, at high kraesen to really give it a kick in the pants.
This seems to be about the expected attenuation for this yeast. I just pitched some of this into a beer yesterday with an OG of 1.090. I’m hoping for an FG of around 1.021 so this gives me hope that I should meet my target.
The attenuation rating of yeast is meant for comparing one strain to another using a standardized wort. It does not necessarily reflect the attenuation you can expect. Wort fermentability plays a large role in that.
I’d try krausening your beer. Add about a qt. of actively fermenting wort. Works great.
[quote=“Mike Foran”]Denny, do you think I should krausen with the same yeast I started with, the London Ale, or go with the F2 like Mattnaik suggested?
I should note that this is a Christmas Ale, so it should be a little sweet, and I plan to age in the bottle for quite a while.[/quote]
It really doesn’t matter. IIRC, F2 is a bottling yeast and not really recommended for fermentation anyway. If it was me, I’d go with the same yeast if I had it, and about anything kinda neutral otherwise.
