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Author Topic: completed my first all grain  (Read 3325 times)

Offline sparkleberry

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completed my first all grain
« on: May 22, 2012, 05:21:42 pm »
i did a 3 gallon brew/mash in a bag brew session today.  it was awesome.  it was a simple pale ale with amarillo and centennial.  i had a lot of fun and all my numbers were right on target.  i actually was a point over on OG and hit 69% efficiency.  i feel pretty good about the brew day as a whole.  very simple.  very easy.

i picked small b/miab for a couple of reasons.  1, i really like the idea of brewing more often and refining/experimenting.  2, i wanted a little quicker brew day.  3, i wanted to keep things easy and fun. 

not saying i won't build a mash tun at some point, but for me right now, this type of brewing is amazing!

i can't thank you all enough for the answers, insight and information you have provided here.  it is invaluable for any brewer!

cheers!

ryan
cheers.

rpl
apertureales

Offline tonyp

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Re: completed my first all grain
« Reply #1 on: May 22, 2012, 07:16:00 pm »
nice work! let us know how it turns out.
Live from the Jersey Shore!

Phrases for Creatives, #22:
"I'll try being nicer if you'll try being smarter."

Offline erockrph

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Re: completed my first all grain
« Reply #2 on: May 22, 2012, 07:20:02 pm »
Congrats! Hoping to join you in the BIAB club by the end of the summer. What are you using for your bag?
Eric B.

Finally got around to starting a homebrewing blog: The Hop Whisperer

Offline sparkleberry

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Re: completed my first all grain
« Reply #3 on: May 22, 2012, 07:27:13 pm »
i'm using a bag custom sewn by a very good friend's wife.  i went to a fabric store and got enough 100% polyester voile(found in the curtain area on bolts) material and gave her the dimensions i was looking for.  it's a bit bigger than i needed but plenty of room to do a 5 gallon batch i think.  my friend's wife actually uses similarly shaped bags she's made in the past for making almond milk.  this was just a much bigger version for her to sew. 
« Last Edit: May 22, 2012, 07:28:49 pm by sparkleberry »
cheers.

rpl
apertureales

Offline sparkleberry

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Re: completed my first all grain
« Reply #4 on: May 22, 2012, 07:39:06 pm »
also, to keep mash temps in check I bought 1" foam sheathing material and made a jacket for my kettle.  it worked really well to hold the temperature right at 154.  I'm not sure how to load a photo but will when I figure it out.
cheers.

rpl
apertureales

Offline Pinski

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Re: completed my first all grain
« Reply #5 on: May 22, 2012, 07:43:08 pm »
Way to go Ryan! Amarillo/Centennial Pale sounds great!
Steve Carper
Green Dragon Brewers
Clubs: Oregon Brew Crew & Strange Brew
BJCP Certified

Offline dannyjed

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Re: completed my first all grain
« Reply #6 on: May 22, 2012, 07:50:24 pm »
excellent! I think you'll be happy with your results.
Dan Chisholm

Offline weithman5

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Re: completed my first all grain
« Reply #7 on: May 22, 2012, 07:56:52 pm »
awesome job.
i use a very fine bag that is stretchy i got from a lhbs. i rinse and re use.  i do a mash in a bag inside a cooler. then just lift it out when i am done.  just makes it easier to clean out my tun.  i use the grain then to make bread, dog treats etc. 
Don AHA member

Offline davidgzach

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Re: completed my first all grain
« Reply #8 on: May 23, 2012, 05:47:16 am »
Welcome to the addiction!   ;D
Dave Zach

Offline DrewG

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Re: completed my first all grain
« Reply #9 on: May 23, 2012, 07:23:37 am »
Congrats!
"Well, the Mexicans got a saying - what cannot be remedied must be endured."

-Barbarosa

Offline jmcamerlengo

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Re: completed my first all grain
« Reply #10 on: May 23, 2012, 07:47:29 am »
excellent! BIAB seems like a very viable method for small batch stovetop brews where space is an issue.

just fyi. I saw a video on BrewingTV about BIAB and they talk about their experiences and what theyve found to help increase efficiency and such. May be worth checking out for ya.
Jason
-Head Brewer, Brewtus Brewers in the Shenango Valley. Hopefully opening a brewpub/nano brewery in the next couple years.

Offline gmac

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Re: completed my first all grain
« Reply #11 on: May 23, 2012, 08:04:10 am »
Congrats, beat my first time efficiency by a bunch!  Have fun.