Cheap'n'Easy Light Wit (Hoegaarden-ish)

[dunks]

Thanks for the replies guys

I'll stick with Bobek then, ordering from The Malt Miller, can get everything from him! Just waiting to hear back about delivery, the joy of living in the Scottish Highlands, where sometimes it's cheaper to deliver abroad!

[Swiller]

Thanks for the replies guys

I'll stick with Bobek then, ordering from The Malt Miller, can get everything from him! Just waiting to hear back about delivery, the joy of living in the Scottish Highlands, where sometimes it's cheaper to deliver abroad!

Good luck, and let us know how it turns out.

Happy brewing

[dunks]

Thanks! I'll be sure to create a thread once brew day is upon me

I've never actually brewed from a kit/extract before either, complete first timer when it comes to homebrew.

Spent the past week or so making my boiler, mash tun and counter flow chiller, let's hope it all works as it should. :p

[dunks]

Hey guys, before I crack on with this tomorrow, any tips on how I should approach the mash?

I've seen Dave-o mention a 20l mash and 13l sparge, but I'm not sure how to go ahead using batch sparging as my method.

I'm thinking I should add 20l of water, then sit for ?? minutes, drain into kettle then add 13l of water and wait 10 minutes or so before draining?

[Swiller]

As this is your first time using your new equipment I would normally advise a 'dry run' so any problems with equipment can be addressed.
I am sure you are eager to get on with the brew so first have a look here at the batch sparge calculator.

http://18000feet.mesb.co.uk/calculators ... lator.html

The first thing you will notice like any calculator is it requires the user to input information, that is where you are going to have to estimate as you don't yet have the necessary figures because you are using new kit.
Also scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on- Back to 'Batch Sparging' where it will explain the method.

Then come back if you need further information.

Good luck.

J

[dunks]

Awesome, much appreciated! I've worked out what my boiler and mash tun dead space, so at least I've got something.

I'll be recording everything especially volume as I go so I guess i'll be able to see how much %'age is boiled off, lost to the grain etc for next time.

[Swiller]

Yep, good thinking. It's always a good idea to keep notes.

J

[dunks]

The brew went quite well I think!

I might've messed up my measurements on the boiler slightly, as I seem to have come out with around 18 liters instead of 23! I probably underestimated how much the grains/oat/wheat would absorb when using BeerSmith to get an idea of mash/sparge volumes.

I've started off with an original gravity of 1.060, which seems a bit higher than everyone else, but I guess that's due to the reduced volume, especially if I used less mash/sparge water?

My airlock has been bubbling away nicely the past two days so it's looking good, I can see what must be the krausen forming (not opened up and had a look though!) from the sides of the FV, it also seems to have gotten lighter in colour.

[Swiller]

Sounds good

With notes you have taken and using your
gear you will find it easier to hit targets.
As you were a bit short of 23 litres the OG
will be higher, I always work to 2.5 : 1 water
to grain ratio. Did you use the batch sparge
calculator?
Anyway well done and I hope you enjoyed it.

J

[dunks]

Yup, I ended up with around 25-26 liters into the boiler, so it's quite odd I ended up with ~17 liters into my FV, although if my markings on the boiler were off it probably doesn't help along with the FV markings probably not being all that accurate.

[jmc]

Yup, I ended up with around 25-26 liters into the boiler, so it's quite odd I ended up with ~17 liters into my FV, although if my markings on the boiler were off it probably doesn't help along with the FV markings probably not being all that accurate.

That sounds possible
You'll probably lose 12-17% to boil evapouration
25.5L - 15% = 21.7L
Lose 4% to shrinkage when it cools = 21.7 x 96% = 20.8L
leaves about 3.8L lost to hop absorbtion and boiler dead space. ( a bit high but not impossible)

[dunks]

I think my boiler deadspace is around 1 liters, so 2.8 lost to hops. Sound a bit more reasonable?

And if my markings were wrong on the boiler, then there could've been even less in there to start with.

But it's a learning process, I'll get there.

Just can't wait until my first brew is drinkable

[dunks]

Hey guys, quick question regarding fermentation time.

I've just taken a small sample and I'm currently at 1.020 (down from 1.060 in 4 days), I'm hoping it'll be ready for bottling on Tuesday as I'm currently going to be away from home for two weeks on the following Wednesday. If it's not ready by then, how do you reckon it'll fare with another two weeks in the primary fermentation vessel?

[Swiller]

IMO it will be fine I sometimes have to leave beer
in the fermenter for a lot longer with no problems.

J

[dunks]

Excellent, thanks for the reply!

Sucky timing though, it'll probably finish fermenting around Wednesday, was hoping to bottle it then. Will have to wait an extra two weeks before bottling, then another week at least to condition it I guess! Oh well, patience!