Forgot the Grains Belgian Blonde

[koomber]

I originally wanted to make the SWMBO Slayer Belgian Ale but due to me being a pillock I didn't actually get the right grains. I lashed this recipe together using what I had to hand:


BeerSmith Recipe Printout - http://www.beersmith.com
Recipe: Forgot the Malts Belgian
Brewer:
Asst Brewer:
Style: Belgian Blond Ale
TYPE: All Grain
Taste: (35.0)

Recipe Specifications
--------------------------
Batch Size: 23.02 L
Boil Size: 26.35 L
Estimated OG: 1.056 SG
Estimated Color: 11.9 EBC
Estimated IBU: 22.9 IBU
Brewhouse Efficiency: 70.00 %
Boil Time: 60 Minutes

Ingredients:
------------
Amount Item Type % or IBU
3.25 kg Pale Malt (2 Row) UK (5.9 EBC) Grain 53.28 %
2.50 kg Wheat Malt, Bel (3.9 EBC) Grain 40.98 %
0.25 kg Wheat, Torrified (3.3 EBC) Grain 4.10 %
0.10 kg Caramel/Crystal Malt - 60L (118.2 EBC) Grain 1.64 %
28.30 gm Bramling Cross [6.00 %] (60 min) Hops 17.1 IBU
14.00 gm Bramling Cross [6.00 %] (25 min) Hops 5.9 IBU
1 Pkgs Belgian Ale (White Labs #WLP550) Yeast-Ale

Mash Schedule: Single Infusion, Light Body Mash at 65.6°C for 75 minutes.

I've never tried a mash for longer than 1 hour so I'll be interested to see how it turns out.

[koomber]

Hmmmm. The mash seems to have lost about 3°C during the mash. Looks like I'll need to bring up my new mash tun as soon as!

[koomber]

Counterflow chiller was a complete success. Flow rate is good and after some adjustments the output temperature is good. 5 Gallons from 100°C to 20°C in 20 minutes? That'll do. That'll do.

CFC is a 6 coil, approx 6" diameter coil of 8mm copper with a 15mm braided rubber hose outer.

[koomber]

OH FFS.

I've been getting very stressed of late about the efficiency of my brews being utter garbage. At the end of the brew I would sample, refractometer and then invariably top it up with DME. Turns out the brews were fine, the refractometer is not calibrated.
Anyway, I got 20L of wort at an SG of 1.060. Topped it up with 2K if water for my OG of 1.055!