First Minimash
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Wez
I called my first AG attempt which was a double size mini mash like yours "Debut Ale" now I name them anything that takes my fancy, i'd got my arse in my hand when I was planning a recent brew so it's called "Mr Grump Bum" I think my best name so far was the one I brewed at Easter and called the "Wezerection". Have fun naming it, let us know what you come up with.
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Chiltern Brewer
As with most hobbies having better equipment doesn't necessarily mean that the end product will be any better. However, it just means that the effort involved in doing the basics is less leaving you the time to concentrate on improving your technique.
A boiler wouldn't have to be watched as closely as a pan on the stove, and you'll have the capacity such that you don't have to dilute the wort so much or at all.
You guys are so imaginative, I just use gyle numbers based on the year and week number e.g. 0721 - boring I know.
BTW, you might notice that the first yeast head is a bit "mucky" compared with you're use to.
A boiler wouldn't have to be watched as closely as a pan on the stove, and you'll have the capacity such that you don't have to dilute the wort so much or at all.
You guys are so imaginative, I just use gyle numbers based on the year and week number e.g. 0721 - boring I know.
BTW, you might notice that the first yeast head is a bit "mucky" compared with you're use to.
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J_P
There was an absolute shed load of break material floating around in it that has sunk to the bottom - I assume the Safale S04 will form a nice stable yeasty cap over the top of it to aid when racking.
Doing it in a larger scale will also mean the relative losses when racking etc. will be less as well, provided the beer is good enough to warrant the effort then I think I'll get myself to the H&G for a boiler.
Doing it in a larger scale will also mean the relative losses when racking etc. will be less as well, provided the beer is good enough to warrant the effort then I think I'll get myself to the H&G for a boiler.
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subsub
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Chiltern Brewer
Nop, the CO2 will lift alot of the trub to the surface and you'll get a dirty yeast cap. Didn't want you to panic which is why I mentioned it. Some like to skim the muck off, I prefer to use the dropping system and leave it behind in the primary fermenter.J_P wrote:There was an absolute shed load of break material floating around in it that has sunk to the bottom - I assume the Safale S04 will form a nice stable yeasty cap over the top of it to aid when racking.
Doing it in a larger scale will also mean the relative losses when racking etc. will be less as well, provided the beer is good enough to warrant the effort then I think I'll get myself to the H&G for a boiler.
John at H&G (I've met him twice - nice chap) will be able advise you on the boiler and other equipment choices.
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Hoppkins
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J_P
Somehow I fear you guys may be right about not looking back after trying the dark side
Hoppkins - I wasn't particularly bothered about the levels of crud kicking round in the bottom of the demijohn as I'd seen the thread from when you did your minimash and was reasonably reassured that this was normal. I can't wait to try it though!
Hoppkins - I wasn't particularly bothered about the levels of crud kicking round in the bottom of the demijohn as I'd seen the thread from when you did your minimash and was reasonably reassured that this was normal. I can't wait to try it though!
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ade1865
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J_P
Quick update on the minimash chaps.
I've posted this picture up here before but I'm so smug I'm going to post it again! This is the goldings Ale after only 9 days in primary it went from 1050ish to 1010 in that time and is the clearest I've ever seen a brew come out of primary. The picture doesn't quite convey it but I could read the forum through the sample jar!
On a more important point the taste was superb light, crisp and full of aroma. I can say that if the full sized mash comes out like this and I have plenty of time I won't be brewing kits again!
It is truly a world apart from kit beer, kit beer is really good but this is phenomenal, it's a commercial quality pint and it hasn't even been conditioned!
ade1865 - you have to try it!
Oh and another thing Safale S04 is marvellous, in the first few days there was about 3/4 inch of easily disturbed break material floating round in the bottom of the demijohn. By day 9 it was all glued firmly to the bottom of the fermenter and none of the break materials found their way into the bottles.
I've posted this picture up here before but I'm so smug I'm going to post it again! This is the goldings Ale after only 9 days in primary it went from 1050ish to 1010 in that time and is the clearest I've ever seen a brew come out of primary. The picture doesn't quite convey it but I could read the forum through the sample jar!
On a more important point the taste was superb light, crisp and full of aroma. I can say that if the full sized mash comes out like this and I have plenty of time I won't be brewing kits again!
It is truly a world apart from kit beer, kit beer is really good but this is phenomenal, it's a commercial quality pint and it hasn't even been conditioned!
ade1865 - you have to try it!
Oh and another thing Safale S04 is marvellous, in the first few days there was about 3/4 inch of easily disturbed break material floating round in the bottom of the demijohn. By day 9 it was all glued firmly to the bottom of the fermenter and none of the break materials found their way into the bottles.
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Vossy1
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J_P
Next up I'm brewing something darker as even with the addition of 150g crystal the full mash wasn't much darker than this! I may also raise the mash temperature slightly to give it a bit more body too.
Alternatively if my copy of Marc Ollossens book arrives today I may decide on something else entirely!
Alternatively if my copy of Marc Ollossens book arrives today I may decide on something else entirely!