A Little late with the brew day post but wanted to add some more info from the actual brew day and where I am now. This was done before my order for Polycarbonate arrived so I had to make do without sight tubes on my HLT and Boiler. Ended up with a length of Plastic Pipe and some lines drawn on with a permanent marker to sort out my liquor levels. This work surprisingly well I would say but the Sight tubes are now in place and well happy with them.
Anyway the grain bill was as follows
Pale Malt 5000gm
Wheat Malt 250gm
Caravinne Malt 100gm
Hop Schedule
90min - Simcoe 12.9AA 10gm
10min - Amarillo 8.2AA 32gm, Simcoe 12.9AA 32gm
Post Boil 80C for 30min - Amarillo 8.2AA 28gm, Simcoe 12.9AA 28gm
Yeast Salifert -S04
OG 1.053 Expected SG 1.012 for a 5.3% ABV at 80% efficency
A really nice flavourful and full aroma summer ale, a little high on the alcohol for my normal preference but will bring the OG down nearer to the 4% mark the next time I do this brew once I have identified what I like and don't like about it. The use of CRS and added Gypsum was a first as was GW's water calculator. Liquor profile used was the standard bitter, although I did not have the suggested Magnesium Sulphates it requested.
Total volume of Wort collected pre-boil was 32L and I ended up with 26L in the FV @ 1.055. It's only my 3rd brew and having started my efficiency calculations at 75% moving to 85% and back down to 80%. I am going to put my efficiency back up again at 85% as this seems to be the figure that I end up with. I think my real issue was the fly sparging and being too anal about the hydrometer readings etc. of the sparged wort.
Anyway the yeast starter was added and fermentation was started. The brew was moved at a final SG of 1.012 so I am very happy with the final SG. The beer was transferred into the pressure barrel and half a dozen bottles on Friday after 7 day ferment and is already looking good. I open my first taster bottle to see how it was progressing and I am ecstatic about the brew. The aroma and flavours are really evident and It has a nice fruity and rounded full mouth feel. Good bitterness and a nice pale amber colouration.
I was so impressed I took some photo's of the sample and the bottles. It actually reminds me about all those things I love about an Oakham Ale such as a JHB but better.... THANKS Shane (Orig Smiley Sam Brewer)
PS I really hope that this brew keeps it lovely aroma
