What's everyone's next brew ?

Post by **Andy** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 12:55 am

Setting kit up Friday evening, letting liquor stand overnight and putting HLT on a timer to kick off while I'm still snoozing.....

Post by **Andy** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 1:29 am

No, not pre-boiling, just seeing how an overnight stand works out.

Post by **Andy** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 10:34 am

Oh, picked up some pH strips and tested one on my unadulterated domestic water supply last night. Comes out somewhere between 5.2 and 5.6, anyone know which way the pH tends to go once the mash is made up ?

James · Post by **James** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 11:58 am

QUOTE (BlightyBrewer @ Jan 19 2006, 10:21 PM)
I've got some John Bull amber extract and first gold hops, so I'm thinking of throwing something together in a full volume extract boil, so that I can test out my boiler and chiller.Ã‚Â B)

That would be a good idea, that is a lot of kit to try out in conjunction with your first all-grainer.

One thing I would say with the counterflow is have a good think how you intend to use it/set it up/lay it out beforehand, and make sure you have enough hose/tube. Remember that gravity is your friend!

Andy - are you sure that your tap water is Ph5.5 ish - that is very low.

JC

Post by **Andy** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 12:06 pm

Hmmm, perhaps the pH was off the scale then. The strips only go up to 5.6pH so it was probably much more alkaline than that, the colours seemed to match but it was late :rolleyes:

James · Post by **James** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 12:33 pm

Thought 5.6 was a bit low. Most potable water supplies are 6ish to 8ish

I'd get in contact with yout local water board and get them to send a water quality report through, this will give you a whole host of info, in addition to Ph. It should be free too. (and also be more accurate, most Ph kits and indeed chemical-based water testing kits are not all that accurate).

JC

Post by **Andy** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 12:46 pm

Sent them an Email already

Post by **Andy** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 12:10 pm

Well chaps, doughing in started at just gone 9am and the mash is on the go as we speak!

Just having a quick tea break

Having fun

Post by **Andy** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 12:27 pm

I was going to measure at the end of the mash

Which is in 8 mins

Post by **Jim** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 1:47 pm

Way to go, Andy! You'll be well into the boil by now. B)

Post by **Andy** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 2:01 pm

In the garage at the mo, tapping away on wireless laptop whilst watching over the boil!

20 mins boil so far and rolling nicely, lovely smell

Things going OK so far, couple of glitches but hopefully all will be well!

DaaB, this run was just a "see what the pH is" attempt B)

Post by **Andy** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 6:39 pm

...and exhale....

Phew, I'm kn*ckered now :rolleyes:

Pitched the yeast at just gone 2pm and have a nice crust formed now.

Undershot the final volume and only ended up with just over 4 gallons in the FV. Decided not to add any top up water and just see what I end up with

OG 1048 I believe.

Daab - yes, Caroline's Ale.

Post by **Jim** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 7:04 pm

Well done, Andy. Time to relax now!

Post by **Andy** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 7:12 pm

Cheers chaps.

I just mixed the live yeast in with a jug of wort and pitched it like that, in its entirety!

The spent grain has been raked into the garden, I shall await the flocks of birds

BlightyBrewer · Post by **BlightyBrewer** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 8:13 pm

Fantastic job andy! Looks great!

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What's everyone's next brew ?