Stuck Brew

howamidifferent

Hi all,
I have my second kit in the primary fermentation vessel for 15 days today. It started at 1.041. For the first 6 days there was quite a vigorous display of activity showing active fermentation. After that it literally just stopped. I took a reading with the hydrometer on 3 different days but its nowhere near where the band on the hydrometer says "Bottle beer" between 1.005 and 1.000.
Its reading roughly 1.015 I think. I tried shaking the vessel to agitate the yeast and get it going again but it didn’t appear to start anything. So last night I sanitized the paddle again, opened the lid, just moving it slightly enough to get the paddle in and gave it a good stir. Sealed it up again. No activity either this morning.

Is it possible its finished despite the reading or is it stuck? Should I add another yeast to it or bottle it and hope for the best? Any advise appreciated.

BeerNut

I'd say it's about done -- 1.015 is a little on the high side but well within the finishing range. Ignore the words on the hydrometer.

One thing you might want to check is the temperature: if it's cold the yeast may have gone dormant.

howamidifferent

BeerNut wrote: »

I'd say it's about done -- 1.015 is a little on the high side but well within the finishing range. Ignore the words on the hydrometer.

One thing you might want to check is the temperature: if it's cold the yeast may have gone dormant.

Its certainly not cold. I was worried it was on the warm side as the room is a constant 20/22 degrees at all times.

I'll bottle it so this evening. Hope my opening it hasnt contaminated it.

deadman1972

The room is a constant 20-22C but what temp is the wort in your fermentation vessel at ? Do you have a stick on thermometer on the outside of your FV to keep an eye on temp? I am in similar situation but i am 99.999% certain that my issue is very low room temp;)

howamidifferent

Yes I have one of the stick on thermometers on it. The room is a constant 20 and the temp in the fermentation vessel varies from 20 to 22...

deadman1972

Well then it is defo not a temp issue;) I reckon beernut is correct, its done fermenting. going by your figures you should be getting about 3.5% ABV but without knowing what you are brewing or what your fermentables were i cannot say if that was an issue or if in fact you have the correct Fg for your brew:D

howamidifferent

deadman1972 wrote: »

Well then it is defo not a temp issue;) I reckon beernut is correct, its done fermenting. going by your figures you should be getting about 3.5% ABV but without knowing what you are brewing or what your fermentables were i cannot say if that was an issue or if in fact you have the correct Fg for your brew:D

Bottled this one last night. Think I'll get about 3.7% from it. If it turns out ok that is. Seemed ok when bottling anyway. Think I actually put too much water in it unintentionally cos I got 44 500ml bottles from it even leaving the crap behind in the end of the bucket.