AG#043 - QT Bitter

[SiHoltye]

Hello,

Am hoping to be drinking a balanced bitter about 3 weeks from now (clear 13 days from now Mysty )

Quick Turnaround Bitter

Ingredients
21L, 90 min mash @ 67-65degC, 90 min boil
Amount Item Type % or IBU
2.97 kg Maris Otter (5.9 EBC) Grain 95.12 %
0.09 kg Wheat Malt, Bel (3.9 EBC) Grain 2.88 %
0.06 kg Caramel/Crystal Malt - 55L (120.0 EBC) Grain 2.00 %
15.00 gm Fuggles [3.90 %] (Dry Hop 3 days) Hops -
65.00 gm Fuggles [3.90 %] (90 min) Hops 27.4 IBU
15.00 gm Fuggles [3.90 %] (15 min) Hops 2.9 IBU
1 Pkgs SafAle English Ale (DCL Yeast #S-04) Yeast-Ale

Beer Profile
Est Original Gravity: 1.040 SG
Est Final Gravity: 1.010 SG
Estimated Alcohol by Vol: 3.84 %
Bitterness: 30.3 IBU
Est Color: 9.0 EBC

I infused the grain with liquor 1:5, and so had only one post mash batch sparge to perform. I've been reading about improving efficiency by increasing the liquor to grain ratio where the MT allows, but I admit I was sceptical however seeing as I was happy with other areas of likely efficiency sacrifice I thought why not. I'm wondering now if that was why I had an INCREDIBLY slow run-off from the sparge........however........I was hoping to achieve pre-boil 26L of 1.035, but have achieved 26L of 1.045!!!!!! What's that all about? As very often, more questions than answers. I may have to top up and pour off to achieve my final volume and gravity. Wierd. As when football fans groan about referees, all we want is consistency. An unexpected efficiency of 95% presents problems for balance just like one of 60% does.

[Matt]

Should be nice. I made a TEA with S-04 10 days ago and the sample jar was clear as a bell and drinking nice last night

[SiHoltye]

Sounds great Matt. Discerning relatives should love that if there's any left at chrimbo.

[mysterio]

Good luck with it, I don't think I've ever used Fuggles as a flavour/aroma hop, I've been meaning to for a while.

I've heard increasing the liquor to grain ratio increases efficiency too, could the slow run off be due to a finer crush? that would explain the slow run-off too.

What's your plans for finishing this off then, for getting it ready to tap later this month? I'm going to rack into kegs with some priming sugar and isinglass at the weekend, probably Sunday, I think.

[Whorst]

Adnams used to brew a beer hopped entirely with Fuggles. Anyone remember what is was called, or is still called?

[Matt]

Sounds great Matt. Discerning relatives should love that if there's any left at chrimbo.

Heheh. Nice to have got my mojo back. Lost a few batches recently to infection.

[mysterio]

Adnams used to brew a beer hopped entirely with Fuggles. Anyone remember what is was called, or is still called?

Is it not just Adnams bitter? Has a bit of a Fugglesy taste to it

[SiHoltye]

Hi Mysty,

Assuming S04 finished after 4 days it'll have Aux in Monday night, then kegged with priming sugars and IG a week today, the 10th. If I really wanted to push for clear beer I'd not prime but force carb, since you're priming though, and in the name of aroma, I'll follow suit. I'll post what I've got on the 15th. Remember you've got 3 days on me though, be gentle
Crush-wise it's however H&G deliver it, not noticeably different from one sack to the next. Reckon the floury end to the last bag did for me. Still, it's cooling now with IC in 2degC outside, that's gonna drop a lot of protein Mysty...worried?

[Whorst]

Maybe it was Adnams Bitter. The can was white with an old picture of the brewery on it.

[mysterio]

Still, it's cooling now with IC in 2degC outside, that's gonna drop a lot of protein Mysty...worried?

I threw 2 whirlfloc tablets in the boil, i've covered myself

I've found adding the primings and isinglass at the same time dont seem to make the beer cloudy in the slightest, especially with the likes of SO4, even after only a couple of days. Not sure what's going on there.

[SiHoltye]

I dunno what's going on there either, most likely operator error. Have ended up with 18L of 1.040 without topping up. Not sure about that wierd hydro reading (adjusted before you ask) pre boil, will remember to ignore that test in future 'cos the final wort turned out spot on target, if a little short.

[SiHoltye]

Hi Whorst,

Don't know about that all Fuggles brew. The only one I've knowingly had was Fuggle-di-dum, can't remember brewery. I've used Fuggles 'cos I read it's a fairly neutral though english flavoured hop. I would have used Goldings for a classic (and more like I know) flavour, but needs must. I had cascade and challenger in but didn't want what they offer in flavour this time.

[SiHoltye]

48 hours, down to 1.015 (25 points). Can taste the wheat in the sample. Nice beer, can't see it hanging around long

[SiHoltye]

1.012, and Aux in tonight.

[mysterio]

Argh! Still waiting for the krausen to sink on mine... wont be able to get aux in until tues or wed