Off the Cuff Brew Night

[Calum]

I've just made one of those really liberating decisions and have decided to brew this evening. I was working from home and got to 4pm and thought to myself "sod this for a game of soldiers!" and nipped into the garage and got the HLT out. My mash was doughed in at 5pm.

Beer Unnamed at Present
================

Brew Length: 21litres
Expected Eff: 75%
OG : 1042
Racking Gravity: 1010
IBU: 31

Malt
====
Pale Malt 3.520kg
Crystal 0.127kg
Roast Barley 0.050kg
Malted Wheat .200kg

Hop Schedule
=========
Challenger 7%aa 25g First Wort
Fuggles 5%aa 10g 15mins
Fuggles 5%aa 15g 5 mins
Amerillo 9.4%aa 15g 5 mins
Fuggles 5%aa 15g Flame Out
Amerillo 9.4%aa 15g Flame Out

[chopperswookie]

you go for it callum!!!

[Calum]

Thanks chaps...

Boil is now going strong so I have a few minutes to post before my daughters bedtime.

Its been a while since I took some photos so here are a few to be getting on with.

First of all - here is the mash tun with the foil for recirculating the first runnings.


First runnings into the bucket. I deliberately mashed a bit higher tonight to get some more mouthfeel. Initial mash temperature was 70C and I measured the runoff and it was still at 66C after 90 minutes.



The brewery in the garage before I got the wort to the boiler.


This is the first wort in the boiler but I still waiting for the next batch.


The wort heating up but not quite at a boil (picture doesn't really work does it)


Boil in full flow - bloody marvelous!!


My boil light out is due at 8:30pm adn I will do my usual of snapping the lid on the fermentation bucket and let it cool overnight (gasps of horror in the back row).

[Calum]

Great pics there Callum and a remarkably organised looking garage

I was very careful and only took a photo of the side I cleared for the gas ring and boiler. The other side is a bloody disgrace.

I wouldn't worry, someone will produce a few award winning beers like that, a bright spark will come up with a scientific reason why its beneficial and we'll all be doing it

This is how I do all my evening brews. If I do a brew in the morning then I will chill the beer in the bath but there is no rush to do that when I've got all night to cool it and simply pitch the yeast in the morning.

[Vossy1]

Good man C

[DRB]

On first look at your first photo I thought it was a roast chicken in the meat tin .

[prodigal2]

Looks great there Calum.

How are you getting on with the SS fermenter as a boiler? I have been uming and arring whether they are up to the task as I can source a 100L for around €100ish

[Graham]

My boil light out is due at 8:30pm adn I will do my usual of snapping the lid on the fermentation bucket and let it cool overnight (gasps of horror in the back row).

I wouldn't worry, someone will produce a few award winning beers like that, a bright spark will come up with a scientific reason why its beneficial and we'll all be doing it

It would be a better idea for a bright spark to come up with a good reason why not.

[Vossy1]

On first look at your first photo I thought it was a roast chicken in the meat tin

Perhaps it's an old cock ale

[Calum]

Looks great there Calum.

How are you getting on with the SS fermenter as a boiler? I have been uming and arring whether they are up to the task as I can source a 100L for around €100ish

The SS boiler is fantastic - especially as I have an 8.8kw propane burner to give it a fright. It makes my brewing schedule a lot easier as I now have my old electric boiler as a HLT. If I could get another for around €100 I would definately go for it as I paid considerably more than that for mine. The boiler is the first part of moving to a 10g setup (which is taking quite a bit longer than I had envisaged). So, it the meantime I am still just making 5g or cornie length brew with it.

The problem with the gas burner (at least the one i have) it that it is difficult to turn down significantly so I loose an incredible amount to evaporation during the boil - it must be around 30% an hour. So, after the overnight cooling I had 16l @ 1056 so I have adjusted to 21.5l @ 1042 which gives an efficiency of approximately 77% (almost bang on schedule).

[delboy]

looks good calum, thats a pretty impressive setup.

[J_P]

I sampled a pint last night that was brewed with cascades and amarillo and it was damn tasty, so tasty I'm off down the H&G after dinner to pick some up!

[prodigal2]

Looks great there Calum.

How are you getting on with the SS fermenter as a boiler? I have been uming and arring whether they are up to the task as I can source a 100L for around €100ish

The SS boiler is fantastic - especially as I have an 8.8kw propane burner to give it a fright. It makes my brewing schedule a lot easier as I now have my old electric boiler as a HLT. If I could get another for around €100 I would definately go for it as I paid considerably more than that for mine. The boiler is the first part of moving to a 10g setup (which is taking quite a bit longer than I had envisaged). So, it the meantime I am still just making 5g or cornie length brew with it.

The problem with the gas burner (at least the one i have) it that it is difficult to turn down significantly so I loose an incredible amount to evaporation during the boil - it must be around 30% an hour. So, after the overnight cooling I had 16l @ 1056 so I have adjusted to 21.5l @ 1042 which gives an efficiency of approximately 77% (almost bang on schedule).

Thank you Calum.
I have a old top to a wood fired stove which I am of a mind to use as a means of controling the heat from a gas burner and it would act as a heat diffuser too. I just need to get my mind round how I would mount the burner underneath, and where I would locate such a beast(although I have slight concerns with the heat retention of such a beast made from cast iron).
And the sensation of hitting your figures is a good one

[DRB]

[quote]Perhaps it's an old cock ale




I reckon he should name it that.

[brewsters millionths]

hi calum,
how do you find the 8.8kw burners? are they enough for a big batch?
i'm looking at putting something bigger together (keg conversion or very large stock pot) and wondered if these were up to it or if i'd need to go down the electric route with three kettle elements.
all the best