Black Bess

[EportJake]

Chaps,
here's my attempt at a stout. Didn't go perfectly and I have no pictures cos the missus has taken the camera with her to Jockland.

Black Bess (21L)

4200g MO
750g Flaked Barley
400g Roasted Barley
150g Crystal

50g Northern Brewer 60 min boil

Wyeast Thames valley 2L starter

Mash temp 67deg for 90 mins
Final mash temp 66deg

18L collected in FV @ 1.046

I understand why I collected less than planned; I didn't account for the increased grain bill. I don't understand why my OG was so low (should have been about 1.051). I did 2 batch sparges as usual. Any ideas or easy ways I can improve my efficiency? Cheers,
Jake.

[roger the dog]

That O.G. does seem a bit low, what was the pre-boil volume/gravity ? Hopefully you'll still have enough to fill a few bottles

I'll be interested to see what you think of the yeast, I've got a pack in the salad draw awaiting a good smack.

[EportJake]

Alright dude, I used this yeast in my Brakspear special and thats a fine brew. The yeast is described as having a "clean and complex flavour...allowing the hops to come through". I'd agree with that; my Brakspear certainly has a lingering hoppiness to the farewell.
I think a big error in my brew was the mash volume I used; the mash was quite dry (relative to my other 2 brews) so I think I lost my efficiency there. My pre-boil volume was only about 24L. I was afraid of adding more water or doing a third sparge as my first brew ended up weak when I tried that, and it was a good job I didn't do that here - at least it will be a decent strength at about 4.3%. I think this one is going in a corny due to the low volume, if I can get one, so if you want a taste you will have to come around! I promise you will get a bottle of my next one though - an 8.5% belgian duvel clone. I'm gonna make a big batch of that so don't worry.

[EportJake]

Just tested my hydrometer in water and its a mile out - it reads 0.004 low so my brews have actually been much closer to the target OG.
Should I just compensate for this in future or is it worth getting a new one (or a refractometer)?