Jims ESB

[simmyb]

Haven't had time to sort my photos and write my post yet, but my brew from last night is fermenting away @19C with S-04 (was supposed to be WLP002, but that's another story)

Still don't really know what went wrong, but I ended up with 19.5L @1.042, instead of 20L @1.050

Think I've created the younger cousin - Jim's SB (Special Bitter)



Cheers

MB

Think that qualifies it as a Jims OSB -sure it'll still taste great

Yeah, sure that it will be a nice brew, just gutted on many fronts.....

I was struggling with efficiency recently and was getting down as low as 60% for no apparent reason. I found that the batch of pre crushed malt I had was a bit on the coarse side (i.e quite a large proportion of virtually whole grains). I was sent a replacement batch but it still looked too coarse to me, so I took the plunge and bought a grain mill and, along with a couple of other tweaks, have got my efficiency back into the high 70's plus again. I would have a close look at your grains to see if you have the same issue.

Good luck, Simon

[BluePanda]

Mine’s done too

As usual (for me) I increased the recipe slightly to allow for losses (haven’t got the hang of BrewMate software yet). I increased it from 23litres to 26litres and the grain/hops automatically increase. I ended up with 23.5litres in the FV.

Here is the obligatory grain shot



Mash on.



I can never hold the temperature, so I dismantle it halfway through, hoist the bag up and put the elements on for 2 minutes, then re-pack for the remaining time. Smells lovely



Bag draining



Cold break



Taken from the sample jar.



Danstar Windsor yeast used and now in the brew fridge at 18.5 C

Ended up with 23.5 litres at 1.050 whereas BrewMate suggests 1.052 so not too bad.

Altogether took 6 ¾ hours including clean up.

Thanks Jim’s, I’ll look forward to drinking it when ready.

[BluePanda]

Sorry, not sure what has happened to my pictures

[injac]

Just come back in - took about 7 hours including clean up/set up.

Had a disaster during the mash - my bag fell in sending heaps of grain into the boiler. Managed to save the day by emptying the kettle into an FV and sieving out the grain before dumping it all back in for the boil. Gravity reading into boil was spot on so don't think it will impact on the beer.

Will upload my pics tomorrow. I subbed Progress for some Northdown that I had in stock. Currently 18l no chilling on the patio ready for the yeast in the morning which will be Gervin G12.

[kearnage]

All looking good on the brews so far. I've had my plans pulled from under me! Relatives turned up for a surprise visit for the weekend. Hoping to get the brew on tomorrow now.

[simmyb]

All looking good on the brews so far. I've had my plans pulled from under me! Relatives turned up for a surprise visit for the weekend. Hoping to get the brew on tomorrow now.

Oh Blimey. Did you manage to keep the "What a surprise, so lovely to see you!" smile stapled to your face when they arrived??

[Monkeybrew]

I was struggling with efficiency recently and was getting down as low as 60% for no apparent reason. I found that the batch of pre crushed malt I had was a bit on the coarse side (i.e quite a large proportion of virtually whole grains). I was sent a replacement batch but it still looked too coarse to me, so I took the plunge and bought a grain mill and, along with a couple of other tweaks, have got my efficiency back into the high 70's plus again. I would have a close look at your grains to see if you have the same issue.

Good luck, Simon

Interesting point Simon, I normally get my MO from my LHBS, and it's very consistent.

I ordered some Crisp MO online for this brew, along with some other bits and pieces and also used my shiny new Brewtech Mash Tun, so maybe it's a combination of both?

Cheers

MB

[Pinto]

two variables there, both which could affect efficiency - im guessing you did your deadspaces for the new tun, etc ?

[kearnage]

Oh Blimey. Did you manage to keep the "What a surprise, so lovely to see you!" smile stapled to your face when they arrived??

You've got it. I think I must have also checked my watch every other minute all weekend while thinking "could I just sneak off to the garage for a few hours and get away with it?"

[Piscator]

Almost up to 1.5 BBL now chaps - let's see if the stragglers can get us up to 2 BBL

[bquiggerz]

I really struggled with efficiency in this, not sure why, new equipment may be the cause but I don't see how. Maybe strike temp was 1c too high but nothing that would cause me to have 1.040 @ 23 litres. My grain was a little courser than usual as I ordered from a new place and forgot to say its for BIAB. Can't decide if I should buy and add some DME or not.

[simmyb]

When I was having issues with efficiency I added DME to boost the OG and the beers were still very good. I think you should do the same, there's a lot of hops in this brew for a 1.040 beer...

[sjnovis]

This was my second all grain brew, I got the malt miller kit. I had a great day, i ended up with 19 litres at 1050, its bubbling away nicely with s-04.

[bquiggerz]

When I was having issues with efficiency I added DME to boost the OG and the beers were still very good. I think you should do the same, there's a lot of hops in this brew for a 1.040 beer...

How much do you think I should add to 23 litres?

[jaroporter]

just about to knock off the boil. after a little soul-searching, i'm taking a slightly heretical path here.. and i'm gonna skip the goldings steep.. is this crazy.. ? stuupid? lacking faith.. ? it's partly 'cause i really wanna see how the challenger and the progress play, and partly 'cause i've had a few heavily hopped goldings dominated beers lately that haven't really appealed to my tastes.. i've got plenty i can dryhop with later if needed.. bless me dark father for i have sinned..

anyhows, that's ~26L into the chillcube. only other variation is having to use dry nottingham yeast as i don't totally trust my 002 culture. i will be risking ~4L of this wort though as a trial/starter for said 002, so may yet get a few bottles with a difference..