New Year Bitter

[Andy]

Phew, I'm knacked!

Brewday started at 6am :rolleyes: Cocked up the mash temp and had to add lots of boiling water to adjust. Runoff and sparge took 50 mins, collected just under 30 litres I reckon! Used the excess to top up the kettle in the last 15mins of the boil. Pitched the yeast at 12:45. Had lots of fine particles in the mash tun seems that the crystal malt was crushed much finer than the pale, there was a layer of fine stuff on top of the grain bed when I emptied out the tun. Made sure to recirculate a few litres before collecting so hopefully most of it was left behind in the tun. Took some pictures as I went and I'll post them up later. Using the refractomer is great, makes taking readings a pleasure!

Came out at 1043 according to both refractometer and hydrometer.


...and exhale.

[Andy]

Pics

The setup!



Sparging



Recirculating santiser through the CFC



The boil

[Jim]

Nice Andy! Looks like a good vigorous boil going on there.

You'll soon be a seasoned masher.

[Andy]

Slowed the runoff/sparge process right down and kept about a cm of sparge water above the grain bed at all times.


The Hogs Back yeast* hasn't kicked off as manically as last time yet though!




* They source it from Hook Norton brewery.

[Road Runner]

I've studied the pics, but couldn't see this wonderful refractometer gadget in use.

I was hoping to see what it looked like

RR.

[Andy]

But you saw the bricks ?

[BlightyBrewer]

Nice set up andy! B)

That boil looks great, a lot more vigorous than mine today. I think I am going to try insulating my boiler to retain some heat.

[Andy]

The yeast has been working overnight!

[Jim]

Aarrgghh!!!!!!!! Quick, put the lid on before it escapes and starts terrorising southern England!

[Road Runner]

Soufle Beer...

I've seen those celebrity chefs on TV. Now you need to get a blow torch & just lightly scorch the surface to give it a lovely golden brown finnish.

Just mind the plastic bucket though...

[BlightyBrewer]

She's lively! Wow, looks like you been cooking up some meringue!

Since I broke my thermometer, I didn't realise it was a little too cold in the old cupboard last night, so my beer didn't start fermenting at all until I moved it to the kitchen. <_<

She's of the starting blocks now though! B)

[Andy]

Interesting to see how the yeast has begaved on this brew vs the previous one.

Same yeast and pale malt supplier (both from a commercial brewer) but this one has crystal malt added whereas the previous one used only pale malt.

Previous yeast head (pale malt only brew) :-



This yeast head (pale and crystal malt brew) :-



Wierd eh! I did add some water treatment for this brew (gypsum) but same equipment and technique (with a slight efficiency tweak mentioned above).

[BlightyBrewer]

How did the previous brew taste? Was it your first AG (the previous one that is)?

[Andy]

Bored this morning so I present........


http://mtb.dynalias.net:81/Aview.htm!

Userid: jimsforum
no password

None of the pan/tilt etc controls will work.


:rolleyes:

[Andy]

How about this link instead ?

http://mtb.dynalias.net:81/Jview.htm