Crowncap's AG Cherry

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CrownCap
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Crowncap's AG Cherry

Post by CrownCap » Mon Sep 24, 2007 12:25 pm

Well, my first AG attempt is now under way, Bosun Best Bitter.

The mash is on and my mash tun seems to be holding its own and has not dropped a 10th of a degree in 15 mins so far :o

After a little bit of faffing to get the correct mash temp I have ended up with a 3:1 mash ratio instead of 2.5:1 but that should be OK I guess.

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Doughing In (and trying to get the correct temperature!

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Mash under way - panic! no irish moss!

However - I forgot to get any Irish Moss (or equivalent) at the HBS this morning :cry: Can Imake do without, or should I extend my mash a bit and dash off to get some (about a 50min round trip) :?
Last edited by CrownCap on Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:28 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Next Up : Something for the summer
Primary : Nothing
Secondary / Conditioning : Nothing
Drinking : Mosaic IPA
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CrownCap
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Post by CrownCap » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:13 pm

Thanks DaaB :)
DaaB wrote:...the worst that will happen is that your beer may be a little hazy...
Should be just like one of Wez's brews then :=P
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awalker
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Post by awalker » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:20 pm

Good luck CrownCap
I am sure it will turn out fine
Fermenter(s): Lambic, Wheat beer, Amrillo/Cascade Beer
Cornys: Hobgoblin clone, Four Shades Stout, Wheat Beer, Amarillo/Cascade Ale, Apple Wine, Cider, Damson Wine, Ginger Beer
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J_P

Post by J_P » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:21 pm

Enjoy your day there CC. Remeber the pictures and Wez may forgive you for the comment abve :wink:

With time you'll get a feel for your equipments strike to mash temperature differences - so don't worry too much.
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CrownCap
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Post by CrownCap » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:31 pm

Well, I've managed a few pictures so far (will have to post them later I'm afraid).

Buzzer has just gone for the last five mins of the mash and the sparge water has just got up to temperature.

The mash tun has only dropped 0.2C in 90 mins so I'm very pleased with how that has performed. :)
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prodigal2

Post by prodigal2 » Mon Sep 24, 2007 3:02 pm

Sounds like you are all over it CC. 8)

Enjoy yourself :=P
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delboy

Post by delboy » Mon Sep 24, 2007 3:17 pm

Hope it goes well :D
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CrownCap
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Post by CrownCap » Mon Sep 24, 2007 4:25 pm

The sparge went well and I collected the correct amount in each batch +/- a couple hundred ml. First run off was a bit slow but after another stir and settle it was much better.

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Collecting the first runnings to return to the tun

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First batch sparge almost complete

Boil under way now. Really struggled to get a hot break and had to result to putting the lid on and closing all the windows to get something to happen. Hops are now in and the rolling boil is fine. A second element is now on the 'to buy' list :wink:

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All ready for the boil

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Come on hot break, come on...

Best go and do some tidying up and sanitising now...
Last edited by CrownCap on Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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prodigal2

Post by prodigal2 » Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:35 pm

Errr CrownCap, I hope things are all good it seems to have gone very quiet.

:? :wink: :lol:
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Orkney_Rob

Post by Orkney_Rob » Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:10 pm

See - knew you would beat me too it! I am still waiting for the 10 gallon brewery to turn up from Hop & Grape :( Off down to the Lakes tomorrow/Wednesday so may have to phone Thursday before I head off up to the FAR NORTH.....

Failing that I have just been playing at putting a kit together myself from Leyland as they have some cheap 33l boilers which would actually save me cash (to buy more ingredients with)!

Glad your fist go seems to have gone well though, let us know how it drinks :=P
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CrownCap
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Post by CrownCap » Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:53 pm

(Edit - added pictues to previous posts)

Fear not p2, I'm not dead, just been sitting back with a cold beer (or two) and a bite to eat, basking in the glory of poping my AG cherry :=P

Rob, yep pipped to to it, sorry :) . I'm sure when you get your kit you'll have a great day. It REALLY IS quite straight forward. Ok so I ignored the technicalities such as mash pH (and copper finnings, whoops), but it was barely more difficult than a Brupaks kit IMO.

Anyway, once it had all cooled I managed to collect 22L (target 23L) which I put down to the AGE it took to get up to a strong boil. I really will have to get another element as come the winter I'll really struggle with just one in the Conservatory Brewery.

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Collecting the cooled wort

Topped up to 23L giving an OG of 1055 (target 1047)! Looks like my efficiency was quite a bit higher than 75% after all.

Plenty of aeration (recirculate several litres with a jug from a height) and finally ready to pitch the yeast (Safale S-04) at 7pm.

8 hours in total, although I was far from rushing. I reckon with a 2nd element and a bit of practice I can shave a good hour of that if not more.

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Aerated and yeast pitched

All in all it was a long but rewarding and enjoyable day. Nothing went hugely wrong, a few lessons were learned and ideas for next time formulated.

So then, what to do for the next one..... :D
Last edited by CrownCap on Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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DRB

Post by DRB » Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:58 pm

Nice one crowncap 8) .
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Wez

Post by Wez » Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:01 pm

:lol: :lol:
Should be just like one of Wez's brews then

Grrr :lol:

I think my time on this forum is up, i seem to be known too well :cry:

Cheers all!
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DRB

Post by DRB » Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:02 pm

DaaB wrote:
...the worst that will happen is that your beer may be a little hazy...


Should be just like one of Wez's brews then


I thought wez brewed clear beer,It's vossy that brews hazy beers :whistle:
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J_P

Post by J_P » Tue Sep 25, 2007 12:57 am

CrownCap wrote:I'm not dead, just been sitting back with a cold beer (or two) and a bite to eat, basking in the glory of poping my AG cherry :=P
That's what it's all about CC glad you enjoyed it it's not the ordeal you first expect is it?

Watch out Rob - you're up next, don't go getting stage fright on us now will you? Remember we like pictures! Incidentally do you live anywhere the Valhalla brewery on Uist (sp?) I love their Simmer Dim if you could get hold of a recipe for us!

Well done CC and Rob let me know what's up with the boiler order and I'll ask next time I'm in the shop :wink:
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