AG#1 at last... Otterly Befuggled

[PMH0810]

Finally bit the bullet, got the kit together and did as DaaB told me "Just get on with it".

5kg MO
1kg Crystal
Batch Sparge
70 minute boil (oops)
113g Fuggles

Mash started at 08.30 ratio 2 1/2:1. 90 minute mash, added 7.6 litres, recirculated, stood for 10 minutes, drew off with no sticking, far darker than I expected. 2nd sparge 14.8 litres ,recirculated, stood for 10 minutes, drew off with no sticking. Managed to collect 29 litres.

Whole lot went onto the 70 minute boil with half the Fuggles added after the inital foaming, 1/4 added 15 minutes before flame out (with a proto floc, IC and a seive). Final quarter of Fuggles at flame out.

Live S04 starter pitched into the collected 22 (ish) litres of still very dark and very sweet wort (OG1.050 at 25 deg c which I have taken as 1.053).

Problems:
1. Can't run 2 elements off my boiler as it keeps tripping the fuse box.
2. Random de-sanitisation of the FV lid when I put it wet side down on the floor

I followed no recipe, I like MO, I like Crystal, I like Fuggles. Wanted to bash one out as a benchmark: am now waiting for any of you to tell me this is going to suck. I cannot tell you the efficiencies; not only do I not entirely understand them for this benchmark, I don't care All in all, an enjoyable 6 hours

SWMBO is typing coz I can't think and type so this may not come out as I have dictated: sorry no pictures SWMBO can't be bothered to learn how to use Photobucket for pictures of hops yet and I have no idea how to use the camera... She also named the beer, though claiming to have no interest in home brew whatsoever.

I hope this turns out as well as it smells and tastes right now. If it does, kits will be an emergency back up to fill the gaps in my beer cupboard when I have no time to do it properly

[spearmint-wino]

Good work there

Welcome to the dark side (sorry, couldn't resist...)

A kilo of crystal would be a little much for my taste in that recipe, but each to their own. The best thing is you've taken the plunge and I'm sure come early December it'll be tasting fantastic

[Jim]

I agree with the comment about the crystal - I hope you like your beer a bit on the sweet side.

Congrats on you're first all grain, though - you'll be completely hooked once you taste the finished beer.

[Bryggmester]

Well done, I am sure it will turn out well. The thing with AG brewing is that you can brew a beer how you like it. If you find this one is a bit sweet you make adjustments next time round. I have just had trial tastings of a York Stonewall kit which has been in the barrel for two weeks, and an AG brew using pale malt, flaked maize and wheat malt with Amarillo hops, in the barrel for 4 days. The kit definitely needs more time, the AG I could quite happily drink now, it's going to be a cracker, but I shall be strong. AG sounds complicated but once you have done it you realise it really isn't, and the results more than make up for the extra effort.

[PMH0810]

Like I say - benchmark. Was going for a decent ABV and so kept the kilo-age up. Wort was a little sweet but not unpleasant.

7-10 days in the FV, 5 weeks in the keg; looks like I'll be posting an update on the finished results about Xmas.

Read Dave Line's and found it dry and hard-ish to follow. Have pre-ordered Graham's latest though and hope to learn more from this.

[Horden Hillbilly]

Well done on your 1st ag brew, no doubt the first of many, enjoy!

[fivetide]

Yeah, it'll be sweet, but it'll be your first all grain and therefore great! Also, it's the right time of year for sweeter ales.

Better start planning your next one. Well done!

[Dennis King]

Another virginity gone

[Gurgeh]

You've met Ray Ashworth now i think?

He brewed a 20% crystal brew just to see what happened and the crowd in the Bricklayers all thought of toffee apples when we tasted it.

I think it's an interesting place to start - welcome to the dark side!

[Whorst]

Is there a reason why you island folks don't use propane and stainless steel? Very few seem to. I've boiled on a stove top many years ago, and the beer never cleared properly. Can't underestimate the importance of nice, rolling boil.

[mysterio]

You can get a nice rolling boil with electric elements too, no problem. I can't really comment on why electricity is more popular than propane here. I prefer it because i've concluded it works out cheaper for my brew-length, and there's always a supply of electricity, and it's a PITA running out of propane mid brew-day. Plus I can set elements on a timer switch to heat up the HLT before I get up.

I use stainless but plastic makes just as good beer, plus it's lighter, cheaper & easier to stack and store.

OP - Congrats on your first AG!

[SiHoltye]

Yes there's lots of crystal but also lots of bittering (assuming lots of those were full boil).
Get your next brew on, topping out the crystal at 15% perhaps. Taste this brew from week 4 onwards, you never know, I had water alkalinity that promoted astringency which I think cut the sweetness in earlier beers so you may turn out a cracker.
More importantly though....and for the rest of your brewing career....you've begun getting to grips with your equipment and procedure. Daab's right, there's no replacing experience and you've got some now Keep talking on here as well.

[aceuass]

[quote="mysterio"]I can't really comment on why electricity is more popular than propane here.
Over here any element bigger than 1500watts requires a 220v outlet and most homeowners dont have access to this without some work being done, which is not cheap, you can have 2 1500watt elements but you than require a dedicated 110v circuit or you will be forever resetting your breakers, whereas a propane system is so cheap, can be set up anywhere
Im a sparky by trade and I use propane as the work to get the electricity is not easy
Hope that explains it
Cheers
Paul

[PMH0810]

Any UK Sparkey online on Jim's that we know of? What do I have to get/do/pay for to be able to run two elements on my boiler?

Oh, and there was a constant wave motion on the brew for the entire 70 mins

[ChrisG]

Well done on your first!