BIAB #1 - Simple Pale - Didn't go so well!

[thomascrabs]

I've been thinking about doing this BIAB for a while now having only done kits in the past.

This was the recipe which I largely followed; only difference was the addition of a bit of fuggles to mix things up. Was left over from some dry hoping I did recently.

http://www.brewersfriend.com/homebrew/recipe/view/124326/biab-pale-ale-1

It didn't go so well Here's a list:

1. My efficiency wasn't great - I think mainly as a result of not controlling the temperature very well. It slowly dropped a couple of degrees so about half way in I turned the heat on, but way too high and for too long so it went way over 70c. The OG was only about 1.030 when I was expecting 1.060
2. I put the wrong pile of hops in for the 60 min addition! I know I'm new to this AG / BIAB stuff but that was just stupid! By my calculations I think the IBU will be about 125!
3. Not sure if this is a problem but following the mash and boil there were a load of white bits in there. It settled to the bottom in the pan and trial jar, and has also in the FV.
4. I pitched the yeast last night and this morning nothing had happened.

So I'm expecting a very bitter and very weak beer (assuming it ferments!). I could always add water to dilute the bitterness and add more fermentables to increase the ABV I guess?


At the very least I've been through the process now so it can only get better!

 

[AFewTooMany]

You could always add some extract to give more body, flavour and abv. Hope it turns out ok

 

[thomascrabs]

It's fermenting so going to leave it for now. Don't want to disturb it if it tastes ok. That said I can literally smell the bitterness so I think it's going to be rather bitter!

I may wait for the main fermentation to complete and have a taster. Don't mind very bitter ales but doesn't really work with a low abv.

 

[Hop-Sniffer]

I'm new to this myself but one thing I have discovered is that beer is a bit more forgiving of your mistakes than you think. Let it ferment, condition for plenty of time and you will probably find it tastes great!

 

[Duxuk]

I agree that adding some extract for a higher gravity would be a good idea. So how much hop did you add to what volume in the FV, at the start of the boil?

 

[kev]

Mashing at 70c wouldn't have made you miss your gravity that much.

One of three things happened :

1. You used someone else's efficiency number which is different to yours.

2 . All the grain wasn't soaked properly.

3 . You didn't temp correct your reading.

I wouldn't add anything. See what you get and learn from your mistakes.

K

 

[Tean Buns]

Can I add number four ... or you are brewing with water with lots of bicarbonate in it ... you cannot expect yields of above 40% if this is the case ... I have about 250 mg/ litre in my water supply .... it's horrible. The alkaline water leaches tannins out of the malt, prevents extraction, deforms hop profiles ... I learnt the hard way ! worst case scenario of course ...

:hat:

 

[thomascrabs]

Mashing at 70c wouldn't have made you miss your gravity that much.

One of three things happened :

1. You used someone else's efficiency number which is different to yours.

2 . All the grain wasn't soaked properly.

3 . You didn't temp correct your reading.

I wouldn't add anything. See what you get and learn from your mistakes.

K

I'm tempted to do as most have suggested and just leave it this time.

In terms of efficiency I went for 70% as I think I was under the impression that was normal for BIAB? Other than that I had nothing else to base an efficiency on.

There was plenty of space in the pot for the grains to all soak and I gave it a good stir too.

 

[Duxuk]

I always do a mashout with my BIAB. After the mash time I reheat, stirring, to 75C. I read that it improves efficiency by "up to 5%". I've never done a BIAB without this step, so I have no evidence to prove that it works, but my efficiencies have always been good.

 

[balli1990]

1.030 and you were aiming for 1.060? That to me sounds like a complete miss calculation somewhere? or a misread hydrometer? what software were you using?

did u realise that the recipe was only for 8L into fermenter? And that the recipe you have linked has an OG of 1.045?

I highly suggest you use the BIABacus from BIABrewer.info, its very good at estimating volumes and such. you should also do some reading BIABrewer its full of information. There is a recipe called NRBs Amarillo Pale ale which is what most brewers start with. you can download it already in the BIABacus all you have to do is enter your kettle size and desired volume into FV.

 

[thomascrabs]

Update...

The og should have been 1.045. Had a few variations on the recipe and looked at the wrong one.

Anyway, had a taster after its been in the fermenter for a week and it's almost exactly what I was after in terms of taste! :party: nice and bitter with a summery feel.

It is very light in colour and has a gravity of 1.010. I've thrown in some amarillo and fuggles to dry hop and will be bottling in a few days. Just need some decent bottles don't want to use the 2ltr pop bottles for my first proper brew!

 

[Rivvo]

Get some glass bottles from a pub, they're only too happy to give the empties away, then get a capper and some crown caps, bottle some in a plastic bottle so you can check how carbonation is going.