AG#2 Death by Chocolate Stout

[The Goatreich]

This all went pretty smoothly again, except for again losing more than expected during the boil Started out pre-boil with 24.2l of liquid, but after the 90 minute boil I was down to 17l instead of the calculated 20l. Because of this I ended up with an OG of 1052. I've pitched the yeast already, otherwise I'd be tempted to add 3l of boiled cooled water to the wort to make up the volume, I didn't really want this to be a strong brew.

Pics will be added either later tonight, or tomorrow.

 

[Muddydisco]

I always lose 6-7 ltr in a 90 min boil. Sounds like you need to up your pre boil volume by 3 ltrs :thumb:

 

[pittsy]

yeah with a 23l brew i need to have 31l of wort because of hobs loss and evap loss from boil

 

[The Goatreich]

Annoying, but yeah I guess I can up the pre-boil volume, and adjust the defaults in Beer Engine. It's set at 10% at the mo, but clearly with a 90 minute boil it should be more like 30%.

 

[Muddydisco]

What is the loss to hops and trub set at? As my evapouration is set at 10% but losses to hops and Trub another 2 ltr and cooling losses are 4%.

 

[The Goatreich]

I'll have to check when I get home.

 

[The Goatreich]

Grain shot:

Mash temp:

Hops:

Sparge:

Boiling - first hops in:

Chiller in:

Aerating the wort:

1052 @ 26C, higher that I'd hoped:

17l, 3 l less than I'd hoped:

 

[The Goatreich]

What is the loss to hops and trub set at? As my evapouration is set at 10% but losses to hops and Trub another 2 ltr and cooling losses are 4%.

I have Wort Loss set to 3.1L, I can't see an option for cooling loss.

 

[pittsy]

you could try 'brew mate' its free to down load it has all that on it

 

[The Goatreich]

I'll give it a blast, cheers.

 

[simonkidder]

Well I've Just checked the gravity and it's reading 1.012 so its getting there. Had a little taste as well and it did taste very chocolate but it was very very bitter. Anyone ever sweetened a stout or will it improve when I bottle. Might even prime with treakle how much do I use for batch priming.

 

[simonkidder]

Also how much sugar would I use for batch priming

 

[simonkidder]

Checked the gravity again today and it is still 1.012 so will check again tomorrow and if it's still the same I'm gunna bottle it. Anyone think this is a bad idea. Never bottled at this gravity before

 

[LeicesterLad]

Yea as its been stable for a while and if the conditions during the fermentation have been ideal ie not too cold then yes bottle it. The choc will taste a little bitter at first but it does mellow and improve in time, like all good beers the longer you leave it the better it gets.

 

[The Goatreich]

Plonked the two vanilla pods in last night. :thumb:

 

[james1988]

Just found this. I've got 4 litres left of mine. It definitely improves with age and it really is bitter to start with.

I've noticed you use the home brew shop in Cardiff; whereabouts are you?

It's a good brew! I'm really impressed with mine.

James

 

[The Goatreich]

I'm in Newport. I don't use them so much now, it's a long round trip to pick stuff up really. I tried to go there to buy some protofloc during easter, but they wouldn't answer their phone so I had to presume they were closed!

I'm looking forward to checking out this brew, I'm not sure how chocolatey it's going to be, but I'm not afraid of a bitter pint. In fact I'd love to brew up a really smokey/coffee porter, with a chilli chocolate kick at some point.

 

[james1988]

It's not in your face chocolatey, it's quite subtle. The vanilla comes into play after the pint goes down, it's hard to explain but it's really quite rewarding when all the different flavours start showing themselves.

James

 

[The Goatreich]

How long do you think until it was ready?

 

[james1988]

I'm in work at the moment, I'll check my brewing log book when I get home (I date everything lol) and I'll get back to you. I'm in the Rhondda by the way :)

James