Bitter, lager, ale

[homers brew]

Morning all,

Had a great brew day yesterday, having not had one for about 3.5 months being a new father for the second time to a little girl.

So being newish (about 7th AG) to all this and still keen to try to brew more beer and limitted spare time, I set out with the intention of brewing 3 brews in one day.

Brew 1 - Double diamond (David Lines book)

First mash on around 10 am - having a baby around make the moning busy and gives the wife a bit of relief having me around to help (which I usually am not, but had a day off work). Malts quantities as from the book but with approx 20% extra. Pinched a larger blanket from the airing cupboard and first improvement made of previous brews - didn't budge much at all in terms of temp over the 1.5 hour mash period. Hops added and boil on in a seperate boiler. Now to get the second mash on.

Brew 2 - Lager - Tiger-ish (David Lines book + some modification)

Having brewed the Tiger lager copy from the book before, and liked it, I decided to have another go. However this time I could not get hold of Flaked rice which last time I picked up at Asda, they looked at me as if I had gone daft this time when I asked about it. So went to local HB shop and decided to experiment with ingredients I havent used before - after discussing with chap at HB shop decided on replacing Flaked rice with torrified wheat - although he did say about some using rice crispies. May not turn out anything like tiger lager, but interesting to see what it will turn out like. Busy times now though at the end of the mash - having to chill one and transfer to FV - then sparge the other. All of the mash times and boil time are 1.5 hours.

Brew 3 - Sussex Old Ale (David Lines book)

Brewed this one before also and absolutely loved it, having ran out of beer a while ago decided to do this one again. This is also as per the book but with approx 20% more malt. Again very busy at the point of chilling one and sparging t'other. A definate relief when the last boil was on - and then that sinking feeling when it was time to clear up the mess. Last boil chilled and transfered to FV at 10 pm - so a 12 hour day in all, but i'm sure it will be worth it in a few weeks time. All of the SG's were about right being a point or three over - never mind eh. Managed to get a nice little production line going although either very busy at times. Three FV's are now tucked away fermenting - thats the other thing, the bitter should be ready in about 2-3 weeks, the lager slightly after that and the ale slightly after that (Or the other way round) so slightly staggered drinking times - bonus.

[Hogarth]

A heroic effort, Homer! I hope the triplets turn out well.