AG#1 - A sort of Bishop's Tipple

[pswillies]

So, today's the big day for my inaugural AG brew. I had initially planned to do a Tribute clone, but discovered last night that I'd accidentally ordered the wrong hops... change of plan then! A quick rethink and search of the net later and I settled on the following;

5kg Maris Otter
300g Crystal
650g Golden Syrup
80g Bobek (90 min boil)
50g East Kent Goldings (15 min steep)

I'd have used Saaz for the steep, but forgot to order them as well last week... must make a better shopping list next time.

Had an early start this morning and got the gas on by 7:45 and the mash on just after 8:15. This wasn't without it's problems though I checked the temp after adding the grain and was only slightly over (70c) my target. "Not bad for a first attempt" I thought, "I'll just lower that with some cold water". That's where it went a bit wrong! Temp dropped in to the 50's and I spent the next 15 minutes trying to bring it back up

Anyway, I think I got it in the right ballpark in the end, just with a much thinner mash than I'd intended (about 4L/KG I think). Fingers crossed I get something usable out at the end.

No time for pictures yet either... I'll try and grab a few at the end of the mash if things start running a bit smoother!

Paul

[jimny14]

Good luck Paul. You should have a fun day. Remember - double check the taps that should be closed are closed, hot wort on the feet isn't nice.

[L2wis]

I also had mash temperture issues on my first brew. I think its a bit trial and error

[pswillies]

All finished and cleared up in time for the rugby.

Somehow only managed to put 26L in to the boiler, so combined with boil-off, dead-space and hop losses I came up rather short in the FV. However, with an OG of 1.060 I was able to liquor-back to 19L and get myself to the target of 1.050.

A few things to sort out for next time, including getting water volumes and mash temperatures right. I also need to have a rethink on my hop stopper design... way too slow run-off and the syphon effect didn't work so well as in the test runs.

[L2wis]

Great work getting done in time for the rugby, shame it was such a disappointing game! (unless you were supporting Scotland), despite losing they really gave the England team a run for their money!

[JayBee]

I don't take a temp reading of the grain of the mash any more, its just something else to worry about. I find if I preheat the tun with a couple of litres of boiling water, empty it and add my strike water at 73C I trust my mash temp to be as near as damn it to 67C and that reduces the temptation to tinker.

[monkeyboy]

When you're adjusting the temp on the mash, i find you have to leave it for a minute or two to 'stabilise', even after stirring it pretty well. I've made the same mistake of 'overshooting' on cooling, and then having to bring it back up.
Having said that, even when i've mucked around the mash has still worked. I suspect we're talking about a few percent here or there and nothing that would seriously damage your beer. Should be a good one.

[pswillies]

Thanks for the suggestions. Looking back, I don't think it went too badly, but I'll definitely take more care on the mash temperature next time and not panic!

Did a quick gravity check last night and it's down to 1014. Still a little longer to go I think, but it's nearly there. Had a quick taste of the sample and was impressed so finished the lot It's nice already, so given some time in the barrel I'm hopeful this is going to be good. It's already a world apart from kit beers!

Paul

[Tattie bogle]

Hi, Paul. I did my first AG this weekend. I had similar issues, poor hop filter and mash high temp. I didn't bother fiddling with the initial temp though, think its gone ok anyhow. I wonder if next time I might leave the top off for a couple mins until the mash temperature drops to just above target, say 68C then wack the lid on.

Glad to hear it tastes good!