Ag#7 Rakau Belch (with Pics)

[jimp2003]

Hi guys and gals!

This evening I will be brewing the following:

25l @og 1049 fg1008
19 IBU

90% MO
7% Caramalt
3% Torri wheat
mash at 65.c for 60
boil for 60
12g cascade @60
8g rakau(12.1%)@20 with some protofloc
15g rakau@10
54g rakau@0
steep for thirty mins then crash to 20.c

yeast so-4

Big thanks to Critch for giving me a steer on this recipe I can't wait to try this one in a month or so....

I will try to post more pics later or tomorrow depending on how things go but for now:

Grain shot (a little gypsum will be added when I dough in)

[jimp2003]

Well the hour is up for the mash and the temp only dropped by a degree or so which is encouraging. However I did an iodine test and it is still showing black so not sure what to do really...might leave it a while longer...

Edit: Panic over I took another iodine test and it was browny orange so heaved out the bag and cranked up the gas...

Pre-Boil SG showing at 10.5 on the refractometer which Brewmate tells me is 1.042 (target is 1.043 )

[jimp2003]

Just waiting for the 30min steep of the last hop addition to finish then its on with the chiller. Took a post-boil reading on the refractomoter and got 12.1 which is 1.049 so hit the target bang on.

Just need to see if I get the volume I need now - I really must get on with calibrating the big metal ruler I have so that I can check the volume rather than relying on the levels shown on the FV....

[jimp2003]

Right here are some pics....

It was a perfect evening for a brew...


My set up. Nothing too sexy just a 50l pot with a 8kw burner



Mash all wrapped up.



Mash only lost about a degree or so....



Iodine test looks okay (I think?)



Getting up to the boil




I will try to post more pics tomorrow as the laptop seems to be playing up..

[jimp2003]

Laptop still being a pain but here are a few more pics...

Cascade bittering hops go in...



I didn't take a shot of every hop addition but here are the 54g of Rakau that went in for a 30min at 80C after the boil:


Interesting break material formation at one point


SO4 rehydrated


Aerated the wort by pouring into the FV from a good height as usual. Froth died down fairly quickly



Thats about it really. Piched the yeast at about 11pm yesterday and put it in the brewing fridge set to 19C. There was a good krausen forming this morning which was absolutely pure white. Had another look just now and a fair bit of scum has made its way to the top as usual. The brew is a nice amber colour, a little cloudy but so far all my brews have dropped clear so that does not concern me.

Thinking I might dry hop with the rest of the pack of Rakau or maybe not bother this time and if it needs it then try that next time I brew it.

Will keep you posted....

Cheers!

Jim

[WishboneBrewery]

Looking good, don't forget to try it after a couple of weeks, when its tasting good start drinking!

[jimp2003]

Looking good, don't forget to try it after a couple of weeks, when its tasting good start drinking!

Yes stocks are dwindling and hopefully this one will be drinkable sooner rather than later.

[leedsbrew]

nice one! Haven't tried Rakau yet! Might have to add it to my next order!

[critch]

rakau's a cracking hop!

nearly run out now though

[jimp2003]

Took a reading yesterday and its reached the target FG of 1.012 so I decided to dry hop with the 23g of Rakau that is left over from the pack. Hopefully this will be bottled next weekend. I can't wait to get stuck into this one as the sample tasted really smooth with an interesting fruitiness from the hops, a delicate apricot flavour which worked well with the maltiness of the brew.

[jimp2003]

Quick update on this one. I have already tried a few bottles of this brew as I am such an impatient bugger but it is now tasting better than ever

There is a very pleasant fruity aroma and subtle flavour to this one - a mixture of apricots and pineapple. NIce level of bitterness which gives a very clean finish.

If you can get hold of Rakau I can highly recommend it. Luckily I have another pack in the freezer so will be brewing this recipe again...

Cheers!

Jim