Condor Pale Ale

[jeg3]

Condor Pale Ale

This was my first AG brew which I did in March this year, and is based on Bathams Best Bitter from Graham Wheeler's book.

4.5 kg Maris Otter
14g Northdown 90 mins
25g Fuggles 90 mins
1 tsp Irish Moss 15 mins
9g Goldings post boil for 30 mins

12.5 l mash @ 64°C
20 l sparge @ 85°C

S-04 pitched at 24°C. OG 1.046

5 day primary. Racked into secondary. 10 days. FG 1.006. Beersmith estimated 4.6% but my measurements put it at 5+, assuming my efficiency was 70ish%. The OG was spit on, so the efficiency wouldn't have been too far out.

Racked into KK for 4 weeks conditioned at 16°C.

Bottle conditioned with 80g sugar for 8 weeks.

First impressions were I didn't need the priming sugar.

Other than that it remains my best AG to date (I've done 5 now that are fully conditioned).

Very pale, with a slight nutty, slightly caramel makt taste with a delicate hop aroma.

 

[clibit]

Your low FG took it over 5%.

 

[jeg3]

Your low FG took it over 5%.

Yeah, I meant to type 5+%.

The estimated FG was 1.009, so what would make it ferment out lower? Less unfermentables? Which I presume would result from a lower mash temp?

It's not an issue because it tasted fantastic, I just like to know the science behind the numbers

 

[clibit]

Yeah, I meant to type 5+%.

The estimated FG was 1.009, so what would make it ferment out lower? Less unfermentables? Which I presume would result from a lower mash temp?

It's not an issue because it tasted fantastic, I just like to know the science behind the numbers

Maybe low mash temperature, maybe the fact you only used Maris Otter, possibly a combination of the two.

 

[CreweBrewer]

Agreed. Those low mash temps would do it. Would your 85c sparge not pull some tannins through? I normally sparge around 76c. Mash at 67-68c ideally. It's all down to taste though, and if you like it then crack on!

 

[jeg3]

Just checked and the tank was heating to to 85 so the sparge was probably at 79. This being my first AG I was also calibrating the equipment. I now mash at 66 and sparge at 77-79

 

[jeg3]

Update with photos