Old Tom recipe 1082 - 1070

[backflash]

Hi all, its been a while since I have been on here, but would like to tell you about recipe given by my brew tutor/neighbour.
His bottles of this are excellent and prompted me to do the same.
Mine is currently in its first fermentation bucket, should have been 1082 but mine was closer to 1070. After 24hrs it has a good yeast head.

23 litres
14lb pale
6oz choc & black
1lb crystal
8oz fuggles
1lb dark sugar (thinking now, my sugar was not too dark, maybe thats why it come out at 1070?)
s04 yeast

mash 1hr 68deg, boil 1.5hr, 5 days ferment, 6weeks 2nd ferment, bottle at 1012. Should be ready for december/xmas.
Hope that all makes sense.
Jimmy.

[darkonnis]

5 days is a little short for the ferment, I do 10 and thats a bit on the short side but I get noticeably less yeast in it, you might be better leaving it a another week or so. This gives the chance for the yeast to clear up and drop out a bit more. Then when you bottle it you get less sediment.
The dark sugar won't add any more fermentables over normal sugar so I don't think thats it. More likely you didn't get the efficiency you thought you would have. Had a similar thing happen to me yesterday, won't be as strong but it still looks nice

[backflash]

Hi, thanks for reply. Will the further 6 weeks in a polypin with airlock on not allow the yeast to drop? On previous brews I have only done 4 days first ferment, as I did not want the floating yeast to start dropping through the ale, rather skim it off the top. I will consult my neighbour on this. As long as it tastes good, but a more clear ale would be welcome. Thanks for advice. Jim.