Brewday 25/02/07 - Gonna try my first recipe out...

[mysterio]

Good looking recipe danielski. You'll be careful next time you call something an IPA, eh?

I personally would double up at least the aroma hops at the end, and the flavour hops. My last recipe with Cascades used a full 70 grams at the end.

If you're getting a 120 gram foil pack, why not use 'em all

As for cream ale, I brewed one last summer because I like the style, and some of my friends won't drink my beer unless it's yellow. I think I posted the recipe on here somewhere.

[SteveD]

One thing... the Morris Hanbury foil packs tend to be generous in weight so be careful if you're contemplating weighing some out and then chucking in the remainder later, making the assumption that the stated pack weight is correct. Printed pack weight 113g. The last lot I had weighed 140g Almost an ounce overweight Nice, if you're ready for it!

[mysterio]

Quite true, but I've also had one or two that are a little underweight

[danielski]

Good looking recipe danielski. You'll be careful next time you call something an IPA, eh?

Damn right I will

I'll look out for the weight of the hops - see what I've acutally got (they're Brupaks so my suspicion is that they'll be bang-on, weight-wise).

I also now have some Williamette and just bags and bags and bags full of styrians (thanks slurp) so I may do a little mix to make up those power-packed late additions

Ain't messing around with your own recipes great?

[danielski]

So today I finally get round to brewing this!

Only one medium-sized 'element bursting out of the HLT' disaster (only warm water, not boiling ).

That's sorted now, all seems well with the mash in sitting happily at 65.7°c after 1 hour...

[danielski]

Got 31 litres and the last runnings I took weren't yet down to 1006 (I was getting readings of 1.000 at 61.5°c)

What would be my efficiency based on 5kg maris otter and 200g torrefied wheat in 15l of water and 25l of sparge liquor? I still can't manage to work it out

[tubby_shaw]

Got 31 litres and the last runnings I took weren't yet down to 1006 (I was getting readings of 1.000 at 61.5°c)

What would be my efficiency based on 5kg maris otter and 200g torrefied wheat in 15l of water and 25l of sparge liquor? I still can't manage to work it out

You would need to tell us what gravity you have got in what volume wort before it could be worked out.

[danielski]

You would need to tell us what gravity you have got in what volume wort before it could be worked out.

told you!

I ended up after the boil with 23 litres at 1052.

[tubby_shaw]

75%

[danielski]

75%

Thanks! Wasn't expecting that

A taste from the trial jar gives LOADS of hop flavour and aroma and not as much of the lingering bitterness I've been dogged with for my first 3 brews... fingers crossed.

[bitter_dave]

Nice one Danielski

If it tastes nice before you've even added the yeast you should be onto a winner

[tubby_shaw]

How did you get on with the hop sparge ?
Edit Forget that question posted in the wrong place

[danielski]

Thought that might be the case although something I might think about for next time

I didn't hop sparge this batch, just went for a late addition at power off and left to steep for 30mins. There's a real citrus kick to this one!

[tubby_shaw]

It might even help you get your efficiency a little higher though

[Frothy]

Just to add from my comment on the first page.
I actually do love American beers - Sierra Nevada (all of them) & Samuel Adams Boston Lager are really superb. Certainly the innovation in brewing during the last 10-20years is a result of the Microbrewery boom in the US.

Frothy