Mini Mash Big Lamp Bitter

[soupdragon]

Well that was reasonably painless, that's my 1st mini mash/part boil done. Got a couple of extract partial boils under my belt and they've turned out surprisingly well so thought it time to take the next step.

1.5 kg Pale malt and some Crystal malt mashed in stockpot ( 15 ltrs capacity ) with 4.5 ltrs water @ 64-68c for 90 mins. Tipped through a muslin hop bag resting in a colander to drain then tipped back into the pot and batch sparged ( twice ) with 4 ltrs. Ended up with just under 12 ltrs. Boiled for 90 mins with half a pack of Goldings, irish moss at 10 mins before the end of boil. A handfull of Fuggles when cooled to 80c. When temp down to 35c, tipped through colander into f/v, ballance of fermentables as dried malt extract mixed in and topped off to 5 gallons. Bang on target of 1040, temp was down to 24c so pitched the S-04.
My only worry is the ammount of hot break that I managed to allow into the f/v. The all extract brews I've done had some break material go into the f/v but nowhere near this much. I know it will all settle out with the yeast but untill I'm drinking the results in about a month I'll be just a little concerned. If it turns out to be a significant improvement on my previous extract brews I'm going to have to get some better gear. I did say to the missus that I'd stick to the stockpot but ................well you know how it goes, don't you?
Wish me luck

Cheers Tom

[Pooky]

Go for it, I used to do extract brews the were Ok, but I now have 14 All Grain brews under my belt I won't go back to extract, the quality of all grain is far superior.
Good Luck

[soupdragon]

Hi Pooky

What do you think about the ton of break gunk that got through to the f/v? It looked ok as it was clearing in the stockpot after the boil but it looked like mud in the f/v

Cheers Tom

[Pooky]

Hi Tom
Because I make it in 5 gallons, I tend to stop the tap on the boiler when it gets down to the gunk, but some always gets through, however sometimes it has all gone through making it look like mud, but it hasn't caused any problems as it is always pretty much clear when I transfer to the barrel after 7 days, much of the break stuff must fall during fermentation personally I would't worry too much but try to get as little as possible into your FV
Regards
Alan

[soupdragon]

Hi Alan

The 1st time I did an extract brew I honestly thought it would be horrible as there was so much break in the bottom of the f/v when I came to barrel it. Needless to say it turned out ok but there was tons more this time around. Even if this turns out to be one of the nicest beers yet, I bet that end up doing a cool box conversion and building a 5 gallon boiler. Why is it that no matter how good you think your beer is, you always feel the need to try and improve on it?

Cheers Tom

[Pooky]

Hi Tom
I would make a coolbox mash tun Mine is a converted Wilko coolbox with a water butt tap from Wickes & a copper manifold made from off cuts I had, it will hold 5.5k of grain mixed with 14L of water I also cover it with polystyrene just to help keep the heat in. It still fascinates me who & how it was discovered to make beer like this.

Regards
Alan

[soupdragon]

My problem is being bothered to make the effort and make one
I do realise that the correct equipment really does make the job so much easier tho. I've seen a few guides on how to build a coolbox mashtun and a boiler out of a 5 gallon f/v and a kettle or two. Never did get my Blue Peter badge for that so I'd have to read them several times before taking the plunge.....
I'll have to see how this one goes and think of a way I can justify the cost of extra gear to she who must be obeyed

Cheers Tom

[Pooky]

Hi
Just enjoy it, that's what it's all about if it does turn out bad the chances are it won't kill you just drink up
Cheers
Alan

[soupdragon]

Wise words indeed

Cheers Tom

[soupdragon]

Well I'll be......

That's the quickest start to a ferment I've ever had. It was starting to bubble away within 3 hrs of pitching and when I got up this morning it was chuffing like a train Still at 24c too so I'm well happy. The quickest I've had an extract brew start is about 8 hrs so wasn't really expecting anything till today. I'll keep my eye on the water level in the lock to make sure it doesn't bubble dry and I'll leave it till next week and see how the gravity is. Then when I'm on my next break a couple of days later, I'll barrel the beast and leave it for a few weeks ( I bet I don't ) before trying it. Had a whiff from the airlock while I was topping the water up and it smelled really nice and yeasty/malty. Couldn't smell too much of the hops yet but time will tell. The all extract brews have never smelled this nice so I'm optimistic it'll turn out to be a good'n

Cheers Tom

[soupdragon]

Well..........

That's 2 consectutive days at 1.010 ( as per Graham's recipe ) so it's in the barrel. I'm really surprised how clear it is taking into account how much protein and general debris I allowed into the f/v because of my lack of an adequate filter. Didn't smell too much in the way of hop aroma, more like a general nice beer smell. Resisted the temptation to have a taste but I bet I won't be able to leave it more than a week before sampling it
So fingers crossed again but I'm a LOT happier now I've seen how clear it was, I was expecting quite a bit of haze......

Cheers Tom

[Pooky]

Sounds great, hope you had a sample when you transfered it. Enjoy
Cheers
Alan

[soupdragon]

Sounds great, hope you had a sample when you transfered it. Enjoy
Cheers
Alan

I didn't have a taste of it, wish I had tho.....
Is it next week yet so I can try it yet? Is it next week yet? Is it next week yet?................
I sound like one of the kids

Cheers Tom

[soupdragon]

Oh my

I couldn't wait could I? Had to have a sneaky little taste and I'll be.............
It's really nice if still a little sweet compared to the last extract brew. It is only just over a week in barrel tho so i'm sure it'll settle out in a few weeks. The depth of flavour is quite pronounced too, much more character to it and the hop flavour is there too not just the bitterness.
I'm calling this a result
Time to order some more grain I think

Cheers Tom

[Pooky]

Sounds great, hope you can leave it until it's ready properly, we had a sample of our otter head clone last Sunday, that has only been in the barrel a week but it tastes ok, strong one though 6.3% hope we can wait 'till it's ready.
Cheers
Alan