1st AG brew, have I done something a bit stupid??

[tobykilroy]

Hello,
Made my first AG brew yesterday but I'm now having some doubts as to whether I've done a few things wrong and what the results will be!
During the mashing stage all was going well but I may have forgotten to turn off the element for a short time
Temp went up to around 75C but I quickly brought it back down with a bit of cold water...

Next problem, the boil finished and I put the liquor into the primary fermenter and topped up to the 5 gallon mark with cold water, still too hot for yeast :cry:
Before I went to bed, temp was down to around 50C so I took the gravity and it was 1.032! was looking for 1.040!
Oh noes! I thought.... I'll add some spraymalt and bring up the OG, which I promptly did before going to bed.
Came down this morning and the OG is 1.045! Ahh.... Forgot about temperature effects on hydrometer...

So my questions are simple... Have I ballsed it? Will I end up with an overly sweet, slightly grim brew? Should I have left it to cool overnight? Did the high mashing temp ruin flavous etc..?
(Yes, I probably will drink it anyway!)

Cheers!
T

 

[tubby_shaw]

It'll be fine :thumb:
It's all part of the learning process
You may end up with a slightly higher finishing gravity than you had hoped for but believe me when I say that, as it is your first AG it'll be the best beer you've ever tasted :grin:
The flavour will be fine :drink:

 

[tobykilroy]

Cheers Tubby!
I'll cross my fingers and see how it goes, I've always got the 5 gallons of Muntons Smugglers thats conditioning!

 

[tubby_shaw]

I confidently predict that once you taste your all grain the Smugglers will relegated 'til the all grain is drunk

 

[warra48]

You made your first All Grain, and those are the only mistakes you made?

You are a wizard, and well ahead of what most of us managed to cock up on our first one or two.

I'm sure you'll enjoy the brew. It will be fine.

 

[tobykilroy]

Thanks for all the positive feedback - feeling much better about it now!

Cheers :

 

[Frisp]

Mate my first Ag -I flooded the kitchen Burned the lino and had all sorts of probs with strike temps and the like, and you know what I ended up with the finest brew in the civilised world..... You will too.
Enjoy it..... You will end up hooked,
I predict that within a year you will end up standing in a room full of strangers Saying "My name is Toby Kilroy.... and... and Im a Brewer"

 

[tobykilroy]

:lol: Loving every second already

 

[russt1969]

I had (and dont ask how!!) the mash tun fell into the boiler after sparging had finished. And it had just started the hot break! :shock: :shock: :shock: :pray:

My set up changed design after that day. The beer turned out ok, which I was suprised about.

Been brewing for 14 years so mistakes happen when they do. :lol:

 

[tobykilroy]

Thanks for all your words of encouragement lads.
Beer has been going about a week now (3 days conditioning) and my impatience got the better of me, and I poured this!! :mrgreen:

In my eyes, a thing of beauty....

Colour: check!
Head: check! (but not poured as well as it couldbe )
Taste: not bad! not bad at all! still a bit sweet but should condition down (correct me if I'm wrong), and a bit "tanniny" (is that even a word? ) but you were right, the smugglers can wait (although I may have to drink the smugglers for this one to condition a while longer...)

I'd love to hear your thoughts,
Cheers! :drunk:

T

 

[tubby_shaw]

I confidently predict that once you taste your all grain the Smugglers will relegated 'til the all grain is drunk

Told you so :lol:

Well done that man :thumb:
Looks a great pint, submit it to the Feck Test :thumb:

 

[Nic_P]

3 days conditioning and looking as clear as that! Looks like you've done a great job. It'll taste great :thumb:

 

[tobykilroy]

Tubby - you were bang on!
It tastes good!

Must leave - must condition (repeat until beer has gone....) :whistle:

Did a second brew a few days later based on Summer Lightning, all done by the book ,sparge et al. Just put it into my new corny keg tonight, v exciting.
Photos to follow in a few weeks I'm sure!!