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First AG brew 14.06.08 - Briar's Best (with pics)
Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 11:11 am
by Grahame
Hi guys,
Just started my first ever AG brew this morning, it is currently mashing (managed to hit 66C on my first try, very happy!)
I adjusted the recipe for my equipment and hops and it is:
Brewlength: 23L
4.12Kg Marris Otter
480g Crystal Malt
90 Min mash @ 66C
90 Min boil
35g Challenger (6.5% AA) for 90 mins
20g Challenger (6.5% AA) for last 15 mins
Beersmith is telling me it will have an IBU of 30 which seems spot on.
I have added a few pics below, more to follow as the day progresses.
Three tier system:
Grain bill:
Mash @ 66C:
G.
Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 12:05 pm
by spearmint-wino
Good luck with the brewday. Good choice of recipe too

Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 1:31 pm
by roger the dog
Looks like it's going well, have a good one

Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 1:50 pm
by Bionicmunky
Good luck mate - enjoy it, I know I do!
Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 2:18 pm
by SiHoltye
Hope you like it! Have a great brew.
The comp entry was 5 weeks matured. It got even more rounded and smooth 2 weeks later, then it was gone

.
Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 2:49 pm
by Vossy1
Have a gooden q

Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 3:02 pm
by Grahame
Cheers guys!
That's it boiling away now. Only had one problem so far - I got a stuck mash on my 2nd batch sparge run off. I had to re-stir, re-circulate until clear then continue collecting. I had to do this twice, but it got there in the end. Not sure what was happening, I think I ran it off faster on the 2nd batch, could that be it? It wont affect the brew will it?
Anyway, here are some pics of the current progress...
First batch sparge liquor in:
Collecting first runnings:
Re-circulating:
Collecting clear wort:
Spent grain:
First hops added:
Boiling away nicely:
Really loving this, taking me a lot longer than I had thought but I have managed to stay calm and keep everything running smooth. Just off to clean the mess the boil-over made all over the kitchen floor!!
Grahame
Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 3:09 pm
by Aleman
queenaudio wrote:First hops added:

Careful thats about to boil over

Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 3:17 pm
by Grahame
Aleman wrote:queenaudio wrote:First hops added:

Careful thats about to boil over

Yup, it did!!
Had a bit of a brown trousers moment as I thought it would explode the elements (they are only protected by a small tube over them - I need to think of something better. The smell is amazing though, so much better than kits
G.
Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 3:45 pm
by spearmint-wino
Just wait till you taste the results
Well done, certainly looks a lot better than my first AG!
Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 5:11 pm
by edit1now
The front of my washing machine has never been quite the same since I got a boil-over, and hot brown wort went behind the transparent panels. I brew outside, or in the garage now.
Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 6:02 pm
by Grahame
Right guys, just finished. Collected 23L at 1.042 giving me an efficiency of around 67% which I guess is not bad for my first attempt. However, I fear it may have all gone t**s up all at the end. I don't think my hop strainer worked very well. As a result, there is a lot of very small particulate matter in the wort. (I assume it is the break material).
Is there anything I can do so salvage it, or will it be OK? I think I read somwhere that you can skim it off the top but I am not sure... It is a bit heart wrenching when you spend 7.5 hrs working away and its all wasted...
Anyway, some pics to complete the day...
2nd hops, IC and Irish moss in:
IC in action:
Cool wort collecting in Fermenter:
Nicely aerated ready for pitching:
Really enjoyed my first AG experience, but I really hope I have not ruined the product...
Grahame
Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 7:12 pm
by PGSteamer
I always get lots of break material in the FV and have never noticed adverse effects from it. It will settle out with the yeast once fermentation has finished.
I do like the look of your recipe. Looking forward to hearing how this one tastes

Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 9:13 pm
by mixbrewery
Good job there on your first AG - and pics as well
Don't worry, it will taste fab.
Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 9:19 pm
by prolix
glad you had I good day Q was a great day for brewing
