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Author Topic: Kettle Caramelization for a Wee Heavy  (Read 25070 times)

Offline ndcube

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Kettle Caramelization for a Wee Heavy
« on: December 07, 2009, 01:14:20 pm »
If you do a 2.5-3 hour boil for a Wee Heavy should you still boil a gallon of the first runnings down?

Offline blatz

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Re: Kettle Caramelization for a Wee Heavy
« Reply #1 on: December 07, 2009, 01:33:46 pm »
If you do a 2.5-3 hour boil for a Wee Heavy should you still boil a gallon of the first runnings down?

personally, I wouldn't - the 'mini' boil down is to avoid that, IMO.
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Offline hamiltont

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Re: Kettle Caramelization for a Wee Heavy
« Reply #2 on: December 07, 2009, 01:34:33 pm »
I don't think I would.  IMO the 1 gallon to 1 quart boil reduction/caramelization replaces the loooong boil.
If Homebrew & BBQ aren't the answer, then you're askin' the wrong questions... Cheers!!!

Offline dhacker

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Re: Kettle Caramelization for a Wee Heavy
« Reply #3 on: December 07, 2009, 01:35:36 pm »
My understanding is YES based on the the percentage of reduction between the boiled down first runnings and the percentage of  reduction in the balance of the kettle volume. There is no way you can achieve the same caramelization/ maillard reactions in the BK as you can boiling down the first runnings.

Hamiltont and Blatz . . I think he was asking if he should boil the first runnings . . I think!
« Last Edit: December 07, 2009, 01:38:40 pm by dhacker »
Just brew it...

Offline blatz

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Re: Kettle Caramelization for a Wee Heavy
« Reply #4 on: December 07, 2009, 01:36:27 pm »
I don't think I would.  IMO the 1 gallon to 1 quart boil reduction/caramelization replaces the loooong boil.

is that so???  ;D ;D
The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.

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Offline ndcube

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Re: Kettle Caramelization for a Wee Heavy
« Reply #5 on: December 07, 2009, 01:41:32 pm »
I plan on boiling 9 gal down to 3.75-4gal in 2.5-3hours.

I was just going to mash & sparge like normal.  Should I not do this and just use first runnings?

Offline dhacker

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Re: Kettle Caramelization for a Wee Heavy
« Reply #6 on: December 07, 2009, 01:44:36 pm »
Hmmm . . I think you'll end up with something the consistency of molasses!    :)
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Offline ndcube

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Re: Kettle Caramelization for a Wee Heavy
« Reply #7 on: December 07, 2009, 01:48:31 pm »
Hmmm . . I think you'll end up with something the consistency of molasses!    :)

I usually start off with 9gal for a 5.75 gal batch.  I'd just take it further.

My pot's pretty wide and I boil-off about a gallon every half hour.

Offline dhacker

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Re: Kettle Caramelization for a Wee Heavy
« Reply #8 on: December 07, 2009, 01:50:22 pm »
Molasses was an exaggeration, but another two gallons of water gone is gonna thicken it up!
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Offline ndcube

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Re: Kettle Caramelization for a Wee Heavy
« Reply #9 on: December 07, 2009, 01:55:07 pm »
Molasses was an exaggeration, but another two gallons of water gone is gonna thicken it up!

I was shooting for 1.100.  Is that too high for a Wee Heavy?

Offline bonjour

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Re: Kettle Caramelization for a Wee Heavy
« Reply #10 on: December 07, 2009, 01:58:57 pm »
Molasses was an exaggeration, but another two gallons of water gone is gonna thicken it up!

I was shooting for 1.100.  Is that too high for a Wee Heavy?
You are asking me that question?     Of course not,  My Wee Heavy's are on the heavy side, typically starting between 1.120 and 1.150.  I boil 9 - 10 gallons down to about 5.5 in two turkey fryers, over 2.5 to 4 hrs depending.  Make for an awesome brew.

Fred
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AHA Governing Committee; AHA Conference, Club Support & Web Subcommittees



Everything under 1.100 is a 'session' beer ;)

Offline hamiltont

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Re: Kettle Caramelization for a Wee Heavy
« Reply #11 on: December 07, 2009, 02:01:21 pm »
I don't think I would.  IMO the 1 gallon to 1 quart boil reduction/caramelization replaces the loooong boil.

is that so???  ;D ;D
You turkey, you beat me to it!!   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
If Homebrew & BBQ aren't the answer, then you're askin' the wrong questions... Cheers!!!

Offline dhacker

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Re: Kettle Caramelization for a Wee Heavy
« Reply #12 on: December 07, 2009, 02:12:58 pm »
You are asking me that question?     Of course not,  My Wee Heavy's are on the heavy side, typically starting between 1.120 and 1.150.  I boil 9 - 10 gallons down to about 5.5 in two turkey fryers, over 2.5 to 4 hrs depending.  Make for an awesome brew.
Fred

Zoinks Scoobs!!

Never made anything that heavy!. What's the FG end up?

You drink it with a spoon??!   :o   :D
Just brew it...

Offline hamiltont

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Re: Kettle Caramelization for a Wee Heavy
« Reply #13 on: December 07, 2009, 02:21:02 pm »
You are asking me that question?     Of course not,  My Wee Heavy's are on the heavy side, typically starting between 1.120 and 1.150.  I boil 9 - 10 gallons down to about 5.5 in two turkey fryers, over 2.5 to 4 hrs depending.  Make for an awesome brew.
Fred

Zoinks Scoobs!!

Never made anything that heavy!. What's the FG end up?

You drink it with a spoon??!   :o   :D

Not with a spoon but with a whiskey backer....  I actually have a Strong Scotch going right now.  It started at 1.142.  After a week & a half it was down to 1.044.  It will go to a secondary Saturday.  I'm hoping it will get down to the 1.030's.  Should be in the 14% range which is pushing it for Wyeast 1728.
If Homebrew & BBQ aren't the answer, then you're askin' the wrong questions... Cheers!!!

Offline bonjour

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Re: Kettle Caramelization for a Wee Heavy
« Reply #14 on: December 07, 2009, 02:29:42 pm »
I'm known to push

typical FGs are upper 1.020's to abour 1.035 usually 13%+  15% is not uncommon.

I've got a 20% BW I need to keg right now.


Fred
Fred Bonjour
Co-Chair Mashing in Michigan 2014 AHA Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan
AHA Governing Committee; AHA Conference, Club Support & Web Subcommittees



Everything under 1.100 is a 'session' beer ;)