Near beer anyone

[iowalad]

A couple of weeks ago I had the ingredients for a simple Scottish 80/-. In an attempt to double my brewing pleasure I decided to turn it in to 2 batches of 60/- by stretching the fermentables with some light brown sugar.

My sparging went pear shaped. When I was stirring in my sparge water (batch sparger here) I managed to pull my stainless braid loose. Not being able to think of any better method to fix this. I dumped the mash into a bucket reattached the braid and continued sparging.

My OG gravity was low 1.029 v a plan of 1.32 but my finished gravity was much to high 1.012 on a plan of 1.008. Giving me a mere 2.2 ABV on a plan of 3.1%. I think my cough syrup has more alcohol.

Another issue I used Thames Valley (basically my yeast for 2007) and exceeded the max temp by 3 degrees at the beginning of fermentation. It was within range within 8 hours. Finished very quickly.

On the upside it cleared quickly Tastes okay out of the fermenter but it would be nice to have some alcohol in the drink.

I will bottle it and see how she pans out.

Will be brewing another 60/- next week (hopefully with better results) and then Orfy's Hobgoblin clone.

[DRB]

As long as it tastes nice dont worry .

[mysterio]

I'm brewing my first 80/- next week. 60/- (light) is one of those beers that's nearly impossible to find, even in Scotland. I'm surprised yours only got to 1.012. Mind you I really found that Thames Valley yeast temperamental as far as attenuation goes. I decided just to stick with Safale SO4 after my experience with that yeast and my beer is better for it.

[iowalad]

Thanks for the tip Daab.

I am not sure if I just didn't have my jubilee clip tight enough or if the tubing got soft too soft in the sparge. Either way it was a mess. I will have to see if Oblivious has had a similar issue.

I guess my TC will more than make up what I am missing in terms of alcohol.

DRB - your right that is all that matters in the end.

Mysterio, I don't think I am sold on Thames Valley either. However with so much going wrong on that batch I am not blaming in it on the yeast. I don't seem to get much consistency with Thames Valley but that could be me. . . . Next year I am thinking of going with 1318 London Ale yeast III or 1969 London ESB.

My next 60/- will be with the Wyeast Scottish (my two yeast cultures are Thames Valley and the Scottish). I was hoping to be able to compare the impact of different yeasts but I don't reall want to replicate my last effort!

[mysterio]

I'm trying out the White Labs Edinburgh yeast for my 80/-, I think that's the same as the wyeast Scottish. It will be good to compare notes

Any particular reason for the interest in 60/-?

[iowalad]

Most of my brews are session strength.

No real reason for the interest in the 60/-.
I had the grain for an 80/- and after bemoaning the fact that I didn't get to brew enough I decided to split the kit and with the help of some light brown sugar make two batches. Hence the back to back 60's.

I still have three bottles of 80 from my batch in Feb.

After these two wee beers my next 80 isn't scheduled till the fall brewing season.

[iowalad]

well good was maybe too optimistic - hoppy dishwater anyone?

I will feed it to my brothers over the weekend they will like the price if nothing else!