Birdwatchers sugar 19.29% Abv and still fermenting

[Stringduster]

I tried my hand at Birdwatchers sugar was and it is coming out strong as hell and still going! 12 gallon wash has been fermenting for 10 days, SG is 1.067 FG is 0.92 making my abv 19.29% which seems extremely high. Do you think too high? What do you think I will yield off of this? I was planning on doing a fast stripping run and then a spirit run. Thoughts? Any advice would be appreciated. Pour 'Em!

[bitter]

Something is wrong. What are you using to measure the Gravity. Most hydrometers only go down to .980 never seen one with .920

If ou are using a refractometer, they do not work for finish gravity as the alcohol will mess up the measurement.

B

[der wo]

Perhaps you mean 0.992 ?

A specific gravity of 0.920 would mean 55% ethanol and 45% water...

[Kareltje]

Your observations do not match. 0,92 or even 0,992 and still going strong?????????????

If it was my wash, I woud try and distill it, and see what would happen.
I once tried to distill vinegar. Nothing happened until about 100 degr. C. Then a few drops came and I stopped.
Nothing lost but 10 l of wine.

[Stringduster]

Something is wrong. What are you using to measure the Gravity. Most hydrometers only go down to .980 never seen one with .920

If ou are using a refractometer, they do not work for finish gravity as the alcohol will mess up the measurement.

B

Thanks for the response. I am using a hydrometer calibrated at 68f. I made the correct adjustments for the temp of my wash and came back with 19.29% using the abv call at brewersfriend.com. Possibly my hydrometer is off, but I have used it with success many other times.

Here is picture of where my FG reading was...

The attachment IMG_2709.JPG is no longer available

[der wo]

This is 0.990!

If the reading is correct, the fermentation should be finished now or perhaps ferment slow to 0.985. It looks like everything is good.


Edit:
1.000 means 1.000
10 means 1.010
20 means 1.020
always the last two digits
So 90 means 0.990

[skow69]

So you've got around 10% ABV.

[Stringduster]

This is 0.990!

If the reading is correct, the fermentation should be finished now or perhaps ferment slow to 0.985. It looks like everything is good.


Edit:
1.000 means 1.000
10 means 1.010
20 means 1.020
always the last two digits
So 90 means 0.990

Ok so I just misread the hydrometer. Thanks der wo! So that makes my abv 9.84% with the final now at .992
That's closer to the # was expecting. It's still fermenting so I was going to let it go a couple more days and then let it clear out for a week or so before running. I'll let you know how it turns out

[bitter]

Some sugar washs will hit .980-.990 give it time.

Is it fermenting or just off gassing co2? When fermentation is done if you stir the wash 3-4 times a day for 1-2 day till no more bubble come this will degas the wash so that things will settle out faster.

B

[Stringduster]

Some sugar washs will hit .980-.990 give it time.

Is it fermenting or just off gassing co2? When fermentation is done if you stir the wash 3-4 times a day for 1-2 day till no more bubble come this will degas the wash so that things will settle out faster.

B

I see and hear some activity in the actual wash and the airlock is also every few minutes or so. I will stir it as you suggested and will let it settle while I'm on vacation next week. Heading out to Colorado. Going to swing by Breckenridge Distillery for a tour

[der wo]

There are often more than one opinion...
I would not stir it. The risk of turning the wash into vinegar is higher than the bit better settling. Or after stirring distill it within two days.

[Stringduster]

There are often more than one opinion...
I would not stir it. The risk of turning the wash into vinegar is higher than the bit better settling. Or after stirring distill it within two days.

Noted. Will not stir. Won't even touch it until I get back!

[hellbilly007]

I just slightly kick the sides, towards the bottom of my fermenters to degas. No vinegar yet

[der wo]

I just slightly kick the sides, towards the bottom of my fermenters to degas. No vinegar yet

I always shake my fermenters. 15l-buckets.

[skow69]

Vacuum. Suck the gas out. And it's a one-way street. Nothing goes in.

PLEASE NOTE: I have not actually tested this technique, as such, because I strip under vacuum, so it would be redundant. But it seems like it ought to work. I think. I don't seem to have any trouble with gassy washes. Come to think of it, what problem does a gassy wash cause? I have heard of degassing, but I guess I have never had occasion to be concerned with it.

[Hound Dog]

I degas by racking from my barrel to five gallon buckets so it can sit and clear. I rack through a fine mesh screen that fits the bucket to catch stray grains and this usually gets the gasses out.