First AG - TTL - Does It Look Right?

[BarrowBoy]

Sorry, can't answer that with any technical surety but I would say it would be OK. If it doesn't work then the main thing is to stop sparging once you get down to runnings of 1.006 (adjusted) and accept, if necessary, a lower volume or weaker beer - test your OG after the boil and cooling.

For future reference - I surround the MT with 2 hot water bottles on the lid, a down sleeping bag and a couple of rugs/blankets. Oh, and lift it off a cold floor - put it on newspapers or something. That seems to hold the temp for 90 mins OK.

[delboy]

I put the water in a few degrees higher than it needs to be ie if im aiming for 72 C for a 65 C mash i'll put it into the mash tun at about 75C and wait for it to drop to 72C, doesn't take that long and i've been v. successfuly at hitting and holding my mash temps.

Maybe because your mash was very thick it didn't have as much volume to hold the heat and hence the drop, or maybe just needs more insulation.

[SiHoltye]

I finished and then had to run to a job so didn't post. But this morning a miniture version of the Alps is forming in foam in my fermentor so things must have gone OK. It was fun really!

Pre boil I had 27L @ 1034
I got a length of 19L after the boil @ 105....something too much! So I added 5L of liquor to bring it down to 1040 in 24L.

This was by far the palest brew yet and can't wait 'til its ready, wish I had a corni set-up and not just bottles. I'll have to try it bright then be patient.

Thanks for your help, this was the first AG but no the last.

[prodigal2]

I finished and then had to run to a job so didn't post. But this morning a miniture version of the Alps is forming in foam in my fermentor so things must have gone OK. It was fun really!

Pre boil I had 27L @ 1034
I got a length of 19L after the boil @ 105....something too much! So I added 5L of liquor to bring it down to 1040 in 24L.

This was by far the palest brew yet and can't wait 'til its ready, wish I had a corni set-up and not just bottles. I'll have to try it bright then be patient.

Thanks for your help, this was the first AG but no the last.

Welcome to the dark side, there is no going back now

Glad you had a good day of it keeps us informed as it progresses. Will you be putting this brew in a secondry before bottling?

[Vossy1]

Great to see all went well

[SiHoltye]

Will you be putting this brew in a secondry before bottling?

Dunno really, might not bother, its simpler to just bottle after 10 days in primary. I used S04 so once settled out it sticks well to the bottom of the bottle.

I do however have a hop bag so could dry hop. Might decide this after primary with a sneaky try. What do you reckon?

The thing holding up corni aquisition is the cost of a new dual gauge regulator. £75!!!! Anyone got a spare?

Another question. Do people use finings when bottling? I have with mixed results. Probably wouldn't bother again for bottling unless I had a stuck ferment and used additional yeast scenario.

[bitter_dave]

Well done on the brew

Another question. Do people use finings when bottling?

I don't bottle much, but I suspect the beer will be more or less clear when it comes out the fermenter if you've used S 04 - it generally is for me, so doubt very much whether you'll need to

[SiHoltye]

I have put in secondary now as it eeked down to 1009 today. It tastes f-ing georgeous. This AG is really satisfying. Trouble is I've had about 4 pints in tasters - last 2 of which have been pints! It's so tasty and summery, bootiful. Usually I like beers with an element of caramel-ness to the, crystal then. But this is great! 100% Golden promise, and I've got a beer for next years amateur cricket day! Quaff-tastic.

Have arranged a corni set up from normannumpa but now am thinking by the time DHL deliver there may only be dregs left! Seriously though I know I've not got to drink anymore 'cos it's under airlock without yeast in secondary and pretty unable to produce it's own CO2 now, so sampling would lead to fresh air O2 getting near it, and risking turning it.

Tastes great, doh, just done the last of the final sample....bum. Going to the beer fest tomorrow though so pumping brew staff for recipes on trade day required.

Talking B*ll*cks now, thanks for all your help so far!

[J_P]

Nice one Si on your jump to AG. Given the stellar (not stella) support you get round these parts I found jumping to AG is not nearly as hard as it seems when you're looking at AG from the perspective of kits.

Welcome to the dark side - you'll never leave!