Brew day 26/10

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Western Brewer

Brew day 26/10

Post by Western Brewer » Thu Oct 26, 2006 10:37 am

Hi all,
First few pictures of todays brew. Got started later than planned as I discovered that my kitchen scales decided that they did not want to weigh more than 1kg even thought they are supposed to measure 2kg so had a quick run to argos for some new ones. Got there dead on 9am to find that they were having training and would not open till 9:15 Grrr!
Anyway just doughed in at 10:10. Mash time started 10:15 going for 90 minutes.
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Grains ready for mashing. Roughly 1.kgs of Munich Malt and 1 kg of pale malt. This is for a 2 1/2 gallong batch remember
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Doughing in,

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And so to bed.

Seveneer

Post by Seveneer » Thu Oct 26, 2006 11:43 am

Yeah, more pictures :lol:

Hope it's going well.

/Phil.

mysterio

Post by mysterio » Thu Oct 26, 2006 12:28 pm

Grain bill sounds like an Marzen, what are you brewing?

Western Brewer

Post by Western Brewer » Thu Oct 26, 2006 12:36 pm

mysterio wrote:Grain bill sounds like an Marzen, what are you brewing?
It's a Vanilla cream ale. Got the recipe of the net. Don't know what it's gonna be like but I like experimenting :D

Ok next lot of pics

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Sparge set up.
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Phils spinny sparger thing in action.

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Run off.

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Boil started 12:25.

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Copper hops (Willamette) in and a good rolling boil

Western Brewer

Post by Western Brewer » Thu Oct 26, 2006 1:02 pm

Couple of quick questions for the panel. How much to you allow for in evaporation. It's been boiling for 1/2 hour now and it looks as if I've lost between 1/4-1/3 of a gallon. I'd been led to believe that you allowed for 1 gallon an hour. Geuss it depends on the weather tempurature as well. Was going to boil for an hour but might extend to 90 minutes is there any harm in this?

Frothy

Post by Frothy » Thu Oct 26, 2006 1:13 pm

Productive morning WB? :) those spinny spargers do have a certain charm about them.

10% boil reduction is apparently optimum for protein coagulation etc As long as you maintain your hop schedule & your final gravity (with some topping up) its all cool?

Matt

Western Brewer

Post by Western Brewer » Thu Oct 26, 2006 1:40 pm

Cheers for that lads. Don't forget though this is a 2.5 gallon batch. Off to add the late hops and irish moss now. Will report back later.

Western Brewer

Post by Western Brewer » Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:23 pm

All done and dusted by 14:45 Yeast pitched. Now it's 16:15 and I've cleared evrything away been back to Tesco as I am cooking dinner tonight and went shopping (during mashing time) and bought some sweet p[otatoes and noticed when I got hame there was a manky one in the bag so got them changed.
Anyway really enjoyed today felt much more relaxed this time, no flapping!
Og worked out at 1050 Recipe target was a projected 1058 so m issed by a mile. Methinks my efficency was pretty poor. During sparging wort finished by very pale. Is this normal? I didn't take any notice during my first AG brew.
Also lost a fair degree of temperature during the mash. This was due to it being a small batch and lots of head space in the mash tun. Must make my small one but wonder if it will be to small!
Anyway sitting relaxed with a well earned beer (commercial :( Wells Banna bread beer) so here's the last lot of pictures.
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Cooling setup.

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Remains (Trub?) in the boiler after cooling.

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Another view.

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Starter I made up yesterday with Safale 04.

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Wort well airated and yeast pitched.

Vossy1

Post by Vossy1 » Thu Oct 26, 2006 5:29 pm

Gr8 pics WB 8)

Kev.

Post by Kev. » Thu Oct 26, 2006 5:30 pm

Looking good, I'd be interested in how this turn out for you as I'm trying to find a recipe my missus actually likes!

Noticed from your pics you don't seem to use any run off tube when collecting your wort? I use a piece of tubing actached to the tun to lessen any splashing and associated risk of HSA.

DRB

Post by DRB » Thu Oct 26, 2006 8:54 pm

Done well with the piccy's there 8) ,and goes without saying the brew day.

eskimobob

Post by eskimobob » Thu Oct 26, 2006 9:07 pm

Great pics WB, keep up the good work :D

Western Brewer

Post by Western Brewer » Fri Oct 27, 2006 7:32 am

Kev. wrote: Noticed from your pics you don't seem to use any run off tube when collecting your wort? I use a piece of tubing actached to the tun to lessen any splashing and associated risk of HSA.
I shall take note and do that next time. I was running the wort down the side of the bucket but the flow rate varied and kept dribbling outside the bucket so I had to move it. Still I hope it will be ok. Will let you know how it turns out.
Next time I might brew for 5 gallon batch but only use 1/2 the wort so I don't lose so much heat (3 degrees c) during the mash. Seems wasteful but as I am the only one who drinks beer (most people I know drink lager) and I am not a big drinker. I am always eager to be getting on with my next brew plus I really enjoy the actual process of brewing :D

Western Brewer

Post by Western Brewer » Fri Oct 27, 2006 9:40 am

That's an excellent idea! Sheer brilliance as usual DaaB =D>

Frothy

Post by Frothy » Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:51 pm

Great stuff WB

Matt

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