My Oatmeal Stout

[zigger1_2000]

This has just gone in the picnic cooler for 2 hours. Meanwhile I will be heating the sparge water to 80C

My Oatmeal Stout
Brew Type: All Grain Date: 2/26/2008
Style: Oatmeal Stout Brewer:
Batch Size: 5.00 Imp gal Assistant Brewer:
Boil Volume: 6.02 Imp gal Boil Time: 90 min
Brewhouse Efficiency: 75.00 % Equipment: Electrim Boiler


Ingredients Amount Item Type % or IBU
4000.00 gm Pale Malt, Maris Otter (3.0 SRM) Grain 79.68 %
450.00 gm Oats, Flaked (1.0 SRM) Grain 8.96 %
230.00 gm Caramel/Crystal Malt - 60L (60.0 SRM) Grain 4.58 %
230.00 gm Chocolate Malt (450.0 SRM) Grain 4.58 %
110.00 gm Roasted Barley (300.0 SRM) Grain 2.19 %
50.00 gm Goldings, East Kent [4.10 %] (90 min) Hops 21.3 IBU
50.00 gm Fuggles [4.50 %] (15 min) Hops 10.8 IBU
1.00 tsp Irish Moss (Boil 15.0 min) Misc
1 Pkgs SafAle English Ale (DCL Yeast #S-04) Yeast-Ale

Beer Profile Estimated Original Gravity: 1.051 SG (1.048-1.065 SG)
Estimated Final Gravity: 1.013 SG (1.010-1.018 SG)
Estimated Color: 24.7 SRM (22.0-45.0 SRM) Color [Color]
Bitterness: 32.2 IBU (25.0-45.0 IBU) Alpha Acid Units: 15.2 AAU
Estimated Alcohol by Volume: 4.96 % (4.20-5.90 %)
Actual Calories: 43 cal/pint


Mash Grain Weight: 5020.00 gm
Grain Temperature: 22.2 C Sparge Temperature: 75.6 C
Sparge Water: 4.25 Imp gal

Mash In Add 2.88 Imp gal of water at 74.4 C 67.8 C 120 min


Notes
Get Sparge water up to 80C as it will loose some temp through the system anyway. Trying 120min mash this time

It was calculated using Beersmith and for some reason the calorie count seems very low. 43 pint? Could this be true.

Meanwhile my SNPA in FV #1 has formed a nice foamy head

[zigger1_2000]

Thanks DaaB.

As I have not started sparging yet I was wondering weather to add Gypsum. My water is very soft as can be seen below. Is that just good for dark beers anyway and should I just leave the Gypsum out?



Analysis Typical value UK/EU limit Units
Hardness level very soft
Hardness Clarkes 2.975 ° Clarke
Hardness 17 mg Ca/l
Aluminium < 7.58 200 µg Al/l
Calcium 12.7 mg Ca/l
Residual chlorine - total 0.31 mg/l
Residual chlorine - free 0.25 mg/l
Coliform bacteria 0 0 number/100ml
Colour 0.993 20 mg/l Pt/Co scale
Conductivity 136 2500 uS/cm at 20oC
Copper 0.0103 2 mg Cu/l
E.coli 0 0 number/100ml
Iron 64.2 200 µg Fe/l
Lead < 0.228 25 µg Pb/l
Magnesium 2.86 mg Mg/l
Manganese 2.32 50 µg Mn/l
Nitrate 2.73 50 mg NO3/l
Sodium 9.45 200 mg Na/l

EDIT! p.s. A lot of recipes on the web state exactly 43 calories. I think it must be a bug in Beersmith? EDIT!

[zigger1_2000]

Just read this:-

Dublin has hard water well-suited to making stout.

Therefore I should add some Gypsum. But how much?. Anyone got a calculator?

BTW the current water PH is around 7.2

[zigger1_2000]

Well 30 mins to go until sparge. If I here nothing else, it's going in without Gypsum. I have brewed without it before and not sure if their was a difference. Well it's early days. I think this is my 5th AG now.

[nobby]

Just read this:-

Dublin has hard water well-suited to making stout.

Therefore I should add some Gypsum. But how much?. Anyone got a calculator?

BTW the current water PH is around 7.2

I have very simalar water to you, I just use Brupak DLS

have a look here

http://www.brupaks.com/water%20treatment.htm

[zigger1_2000]

Thanks for the link nobby. That Brupaks DLS may be worth considering next time. I think I will do a little research about water after this brew. As I know my water is like the softest of the softest and this could be affecting my brewing. I may also find that it may be good for certain beers. I think Pilsner uses soft water. But then I don't think I will be making a Pilsner as I am not set up for lagering temperatures as yet. I'm of to sparge!!!

[zigger1_2000]

Hey DaaB your getting all technical on me.

I'm new to this. Doughing In? What part of the process is this?

[zigger1_2000]

Now that I understand Anyway got to rush sparge time it is

[zigger1_2000]

Sparging went slower than ever. Must have been the Oats? In the boiler waiting to get up to temp. before adding the first hop addition. I'm getting fed up with my Electrim Boiler. It takes ages to get up to temperature the way it pulses the element on and off. Seriously thinking about the introduction of a faster boiler ! My AG's are taking about 6 hours +

[steve_flack]

It was calculated using Beersmith and for some reason the calorie count seems very low. 43 pint? Could this be true.

I work it out to be a much more believable 269 calories a pint (and 2.9 units)

[zigger1_2000]

OK. So for a new boiler and a diet after drinking this stuff!

Anyone got a boiler for sale?

[zigger1_2000]

I think the worst has happened. I think my Element / thermostat has gone. Seems to be stuck at 92C with the thermostat toggling on and off. It is also making more of a popping sound when the element comes on. I think I am going to just have to either

1. Add the hops and leave them in longer and just see what happens. I fear this is going to be a disaster in the making if I don't get above 92C.

or

2. Finish tomorrow with a new boiler. Would it survive till tomorrow (I haven't added the hops yet)

or 3. Which I am seriously considering. Do a Thermostat bypass.

Out of interest any know if the big stainless steel pots 35ltr or so will work on a normal stove for boiling or is the flame to small on a standard cookers big hob? Maybe I could rescue this tomorrow buying a big enough pot

[zigger1_2000]

I chose option 3 and did a crude Thermostat bypass. I.e. Cut the wires to the thermostat ans put straight in to the kettle plug I'm off back to watch the boil. Problem is I will need to stay with it for 90 mins in case of boil over. Hands ready at the plug socket switch. New boiler hunt tomrrow!!!

[zigger1_2000]

Damn. Option 3 didn't work!!! That pop noise again. It is the Element that is gone! Back to option 1 or 2. Anyone know if I just switch all off and boil tomorrow with a new boiler will it be safe. Or do I just put it down to a bad job and bin it?

TIA

[SiHoltye]

I've mashed and collected the wort in the evening, left it in a sealed vessel overnight, and boiled the next day without any appreciable problems.

Don't PANIC! Don't rush. That's what I'd say.