Controlling US-05 attenuation?

evanisnor · Post by **evanisnor** » Sat Jun 14, 2014 7:50 pm

I harvested and washed a bit of US-05 from my 1gal carboy earlier this week and it's sitting dormant in my fridge. I plan on making a stir plate so I can culture enough of it to pitch in my next batch - likely a 5.5gal APA. This is supposedly the same strain as WLP001, but I've heard of people experiencing higher-than-desired attenuation with US-05. My calculations (using brewtoad) don't look good - low FG and high alcohol. I'm worried I might overshoot my desired FG and produce alcohol soup.

Are there variables that I can control here? Shorter mash? higher mash temp? Throw it out and get a vial of WLP001?

Thanks

PS. Here's the recipe: https://www.brewtoad.com/recipes/balls- ... -fistfight - feedback welcome

jeffsmith · Post by **jeffsmith** » Sat Jun 14, 2014 8:09 pm

I'd cut your two crystal malts to where they're less than 10% together of your grain bill.

Think you'll be perfectly fine with the 152° mash temp. Should be right in the range of FG for a pale ale.

evanisnor · Post by **evanisnor** » Sat Jun 14, 2014 8:27 pm

Cool, thanks for the advice. I've adjusted my grain bill.

Am I being too paranoid about the yeast attenuation? I know so many people just pitch the US-05 dry and never worry a bit.

jeffsmith · Post by **jeffsmith** » Sat Jun 14, 2014 8:30 pm

I wouldn't worry so much about it. Unless you've got an incredibly fermentable wort (think 148° mash temp), and your pitch rate is appropriate, you should be just fine.

GasMD30 · Post by **GasMD30** » Mon Jun 16, 2014 6:45 pm

My attenuation rate with Us-05 was around 75% the last time I used it! and that was with an over pitched (1/2 pack) 1 gallon batch.

evanisnor · Post by **evanisnor** » Mon Jun 16, 2014 8:00 pm

There seems to be a lot of mixed information regarding the apparent attenuation range of this yeast and nothing concrete from Safale. Their documentation insinuates an average of 81%. I guess this is where the not worrying aspect of homebrewing comes in?

Cam from Schoolhouse told me it's not an exact science. It's been hard for me to believe him