High alchol level or have i messed up - coopers IPA kit

[Roocon]

Hi, only my second attempt at kit brewing (first one canadian blonde tasted shite!!) i have used the Coopers IPA extract with 1.5kg light spray malt for 23litres.

The OG was 1041 @ 28degrees - it had been fermenting for 7 days with SG at 998 (giving ABV of 5.76%), this was the same on day 8 so assumed fermentation was complete

went to bottle on day 10 and the SG has dropped to 980 which it seems to be remaining at now - this gives me an ABV of 8% or am i missing something - does this seem ok?

Thanks,

Tom

[Pheeel]

Yep. That'd be coming up to 8%. What yeast did you use? It could be an infection if something is chewing it down that low

[Roocon]

it was just the yeast that came with the extract - there was no description on the yeast packet.

it tastes ok though so might just bottle tonight and see how it goes

[Pheeel]

First rule of kits is you throw out the kit yeast 

Well you've ended up with an Old Ale now!

[Roocon]

  thanks for your help - will learn for the next one

[molc]

.980 is very very low. Sounds like a possible infection. If it tastes good now, drink and enjoy while it's young.

[nigel_c]

Hydrometer reading depends on temp. Usually 20c . Take another measurement.
Fermenting at 28c is not ideal either.

[Jonnycheech]

You're fermenting way too high for a standard ale yeast, you'll get a lot of off flavours fermenting that high. You should be aiming for around 19-20C.

As the others said there could be an infection at play that will bring your FG that low. It is also possible that you have a dodgy hydrometer. Buy another for back-up, they're quite cheap and definitely worth having a spare around. They're easily broken.

[nigel_c]

Bit of quick calculation 1.041 @ 28 is about 1.943 corrected so even if it drops to 0.000 is only going to be around 5.25% abv.

Give it a few more days and pull another sample. Taste it and that should be a good indicator. It'll be dry but if may be still drinkable. If it's sour or vinegar like you will be better off dumping the lot and starting again. Keep us posted how it goes.

[Pheeel]

Didn't even notice the 28 degrees. Hhhmm. That's going to be interesting...

[Leann ull]

Read kit brewing 101 on the link below, couple of big lessons you'll have learnt there, look at your sanitation and don't give up!

[LordEoin]

All of the things above
+ bring some to a meet and let someone taste it to look for infection.