Fledgling Bitter Sun 20/05/07 5th AG Brew

[Wez]

Tomorrow morning i'll be up at 6am to brew this:

Grist
4400gm Pale Malt (MO) Grain 94.6 %
250gm Crystal Malt Grain 5.4 %
Hops
55gm Challenger [AA 6.80%] (90 min) Hops 38.0 IBU
25gm Styrian Goldings [AA 2.00%] (15 min) Hops 2.4 IBU
10gm Fuggles [AA 4.90%] (15 min) Hops 2.3 IBU
Other
1.00 tsp Irish Moss (Boil 15.0 min) Misc
Safeale 04

Target Brewhouse efficiency of 75% giving OG 1042 with an EBU of 42 managed 81% on the last brew but thought i'd calculate it on 75% just in case.

Hoping for a nice slightly dark bitter.

Prep work already done, mash tun and bits and bobs sterlising over night water sat in the boiler treated with half a campden tablet, grain weighed out.

Comments / suggestions on the above welcome (before I start)

Going to have a play with the mash PH tomorrow to see what happens, could improve efficiency and assist with haze problems that I have been having?

Naming this one Fledgling Bitter for two reasons, firstly the amount of Fledglings we have in our garden at the moment and secondly after my Fledgling AG brewer status.

Wish me luck!

[Vossy1]

Good luck Wez

[Frothy]

Did you formulate this yourself? Looks a lovely strong beer with some good complex hop flavours What mash pH do you get? Anywhere from pH5 - 6 is acceptable & it's a bit of a hit & miss affair to get right. pH5.2 is the stated optimum for single infusion although it's not worth worrying about it too much. Avoid Gypsum if you can unless you know what the spec' is on your local water as it will alter the mineral spec'.

sorry I hope I'm being a help & not a hindrance
Frothy

[Wez]

Did you formulate this yourself? Looks a lovely strong beer with some good complex hop flavours

It's an adaptation of Banks & Taylor Shefford Bitter, I've adjusted the grain bill to make it a bit stronger and used styrians as I just love the citrus flavours, hoping that this will give a nice twang to the finished product.

With regard to PH, i've not actually measured the mash yet but i get >6 from the tap, I may find that there is no need to adjust once i've doughed in. Tomorrow if its >6 in the MT i'll add 1tsp CRS mix then measure and repeat until I get it <6 but ideally 5.2(ish) - sound okay?

BTW, everyone on here is a help hopefully one day i'll be able to be a helper (when i've flown the nest and not a fledgling anymore)

[Chiltern Brewer]

Sounds like a classic, I'd add a dash (250g) of wheat malt, 'cause I just can't stop myself!

Good mashing, and don't forget to set your alarm clock tonight.

[Wez]

Good mashing, and don't forget to set your alarm clock tonight.

I have a 'mini wez' alarm, she will ensure that I am up at 6am (if not sooner) - Mrs Wez turn for a lie in on a Sunday! Works out well really

[Chiltern Brewer]

I have a 15 month old niece who has similar tendencies, perhaps I should "borrow" her next week!

[Wez]

A bit young to describe as a brew-assistant but if they help they deserve credit! Mini wez is almost 3 and knows that on some Sundays "Daddy makes beer"

[Chiltern Brewer]

Ah! Sounds like you have brewster in the making?

So far my niece has only used my old plastic containers as a drum but perhaps I'll convince her mum to let her help me with the brewing in the years to come, my brother-in-law certainly appreciates my beer so he won't complain!

[Wez]

Ah! Sounds like you have brewster in the making?

Oh yeah even at her age she says Mmmmm when she smells the mash!

[Wez]

Mash tun all wrapped up and tucked in by by 06:35

66 degrees and managed to get the PH to drop from >6 to in the 5.2 ball park with 1 tsp CRS. Looking forward to seeing what dufference it makes at the end.

Could have this one done and dusted by midday! Leaving time to tinker with me tomatos!

[Wez]

Well done Wez...btw 6.35 what happend did you sh*t the bed or something

Don't know, i'd best go and check!

[Wez]

Running off into the boiler now, quite pleased with the colour!

[Wez]

Hops weighed out.

[Garth]

have a good one Wez, good piccies