Messages

8491

Ingredients / Re: Best Malz lot analysis?

« on: December 29, 2009, 10:40:13 am »

what was the gravity of the first runnings?

Kai

I don't recall off the top of my head.  I'll get out my notebook when I get home and let you know.

8492

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Arctic Alchemy..

« on: December 29, 2009, 10:14:43 am »

I once had an opportunity to try a 71 year old bottle of Ballantine Burton ale, and it was indeed not much of a beer at that point.  But I don't think the point here is to "enjoy" the beer as much as to enjoy the history and story.

8493

Ingredients / Re: Best Malz lot analysis?

« on: December 29, 2009, 10:03:27 am »

You still have some of this malt left. See what you get with future mashes. Maybe keep track if mash thickness and first wort gravity as well. You could always try a test mash to test the malt potential extract. But that might be taking it too far.

Kai

Yeah, I just used 17 lb. out of a new 55 lb. bag, so there's lots left.  I always track the SG of both the first runoff and the total volume into the kettle.  FWIW, I recall that my mash thickness this time around was 1.53 qt./lb.  I used 6.5 gal. for the mash and IIRC 6.25 gal. for the sparge.  And Fred, I agree that measurement error was the first thing to cross my mind, so I double checked all my measurements.  It will be interesting in future uses of this grain to see what happens.

8494

Ingredients / Re: Best Malz lot analysis?

« on: December 28, 2009, 03:00:22 pm »

I agree with you Kai, but I'm not sure what else to attribute it to.  I was shooting for an OG of 1.052.  I used 17 lb. of Best pils malt (nothing else) and got 11.3 gal. of 1.052 pre boil.  I boiled down to just over 9 gal. and ended up at 1.060.

8495

Ingredients / Re: Carafa needed in an alt?

« on: December 28, 2009, 02:56:28 pm »

Yep, 1 oz. for color adjustment.  Dehusked or not doesn't matter for such a small amount.  These days, I use Sinamar instead.  I feel like it's easier to use and more controllable.

8496

Ingredients / Re: Best Malz lot analysis?

« on: December 28, 2009, 12:48:23 pm »

Single infusion for me, and it's about 10 pts. higher than is normal for me.

8497

Ingredients / Re: Best Malz lot analysis?

« on: December 28, 2009, 12:24:04 pm »

82.5 Denny but that was from this past Spring

I have the PDF if you want it

Thanks, that's good enough.  Still trying to figure out how I got 97% mash efficiency and 93% into the fermenter!

8498

Ingredients / Re: Best Malz lot analysis?

« on: December 28, 2009, 12:11:22 pm »

Thanks, Kai.  I picked this up from Brew Bros. in PDX.  I'll see if they know.  Do you happen to recall the extract potential that yours had?  I got insane efficiency this weekend with it, and I'm wondering if I underestimated the extract.

8499

Equipment and Software / Re: Cooler woes.

« on: December 28, 2009, 11:39:25 am »

You've learned well, Slim!

8500

Ingredients / Best Malz lot analysis?

« on: December 28, 2009, 11:25:58 am »

Anybody know where I can get a lot analysis for Best Malz?  Specifically their pils malt?

8501

Equipment and Software / Re: Mash Paddle

« on: December 28, 2009, 09:51:26 am »

Is there a concern about the oil dissolving into the wort in the kettle?  FWIW, I have 2 paddles and neither are finished with anything.

8502

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Dry hopping and contamination

« on: December 28, 2009, 09:46:57 am »

I see a good use for some cheep Vodka here.

Why bother wasting vodka, especially since I don't know how effective it would be.  I put my hop bags in a cup or 2 of water in the microwave for 2-3 minutes and they're good to go.

8503

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: S-189 Dry Lager Yeast from Fermentis

« on: December 27, 2009, 12:40:43 pm »

I don't follow their instructions, even though I dry pitch.  I use 2 packs per 5 gal. directly into 50ish wort.  I keep the fermentation temp between 50-55.

8504

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: S-189 Dry Lager Yeast from Fermentis

« on: December 27, 2009, 12:09:58 pm »

Well, you know how I feel about S-23.  I've made some really good beers with S-189.  I think it excels at the maltier styles like bock, maibock, etc. but it also makes a pretty good German pils.

8505

Equipment and Software / Re: Using a pump

« on: December 27, 2009, 11:41:23 am »

So that pump's working for ya Denny? I'm about to pull the trigger on at least one. Got the step drill and everything to adapt my kettles.

Anything before the boil I'm not worrying about sanitation (as much)- presuming the equipment was cleaned when it was last used. It'll get sterilized with boiling wort before the temps get dropped.

Is a gravity feed better for draining the kettle?

I'm loving it , euge!  I made 10 gal. of German pils yesterday and using the pump tp recirc took it from boiling to 45F in about 15-20 min.  Not to mention that xferring 10 gal. was a breeze with it!