Deathstar's Brew Day

[Deathstar]

Prepping for my next brew day, as I seem to have an abundance of bottles. So they are better full than empty.
So I’ve just ordered some Wai-iti, Aurora and Galaxy hops. I’m interested is giving theWai-iti hops ago possibly paired with the remnants of my Citra. Next job is to build a recipe now.

 

[Deathstar]

Tomorrow is bottling day for the above, and will be another brew day. Tomorrows brew is going to be a bit of an experiment to say the least!
It’s essentially a use up if all the dregs of malts I have in the freezer.
It will be interesting to see how it turns out.... it will either be dreadful or awesome. But that’s what brewing and experimenting is all about.

Bottled this yesterday, it’s not that bad to be honest. However it will need probably 4-6 weeks conditioning for it to round off nicely.

I’ve kicked off another semi-experimental brew this morning and I will post that final recipe later on, again a little clear out of the final dregs of grains.

 

[Deathstar]

So here is the recipe if anyone is interested. Nice smooth brew day, though had to add around 2L of water to hit OG.

 

[Deathstar]

Well I bottled my “Flow Box” brew today, nailed on the FG at 1.009, donuts going to be around 5.5%
I think it is going to need some time to mellow and condition as it’s frigging hoppy. This time I used a nylon bag and squeezed it out prior to bottling. I used a cylindrical metal gauzed can thing previously and I felt it under utililized the hops. I think by adding 150gms and squeezing out all the juice it may have gone too far. However this is what it’s all about, having a play and and experimenting. 50 grams of Galaxy and 100 grams of Wai-iti.

My Amber though, has turned out really nice and will get better as it ages.

My best yet has to be the Blonde I brewed in post 18, that will be on the to do list again!

 

[Deathstar]

Following on from post 24, I decided to try one and based on bottling day flavours. I was a little apprehensive in to whether I may have to pour the lot down the drain. However they are conditioning nicely, not as kick you in the face now.
I must say though, I really like the flavour and aroma of the Wai-iti hop paired with the Galaxy. The Wai-Ito gives of a really nice fruity/peachy aroma which has a very sweet nose.
I think I may have got a “Get out of Jail” free card on this one.
I would recommend those hops though if you have not tried them.

 

[Deathstar]

So another Sunday morning, means another brew day.
I am using up my pale malt as purchased a full sack just before lockdown, so it’s another single malt brew, albeit with a small amount acid malt to help my PH.
I have a slightly strange hot side hop bill, but again this is me using up the opened bags of hops. Those are primarily Northern Brewer for bittering, but I am going to hold back some for a late addition (why not I thought), mainly to use them up but to limit the IBU a little. Then finally Celeia as a hop stand.

Dry hop will be Cascade.
Recipe uploaded for those who are

 

[Deathstar]

Brew day went well, probably only small issue I missed my OG, I was expecting 1.050, but got 1.054. All volumes cake out as expected so I am wondering if my efficiency is getting better and I need to rescale the GF app.
I could not be bothered diluting to get to 50, so a stronger brew it will be.

 

[Deathstar]

Well not really a brew day, but a 30min kit mix evening.
Fancied a cider, and knowing I will not be able to put on a brew this weekend. I decided to have a go at the Mangrove Jacks Cider pouch, it’s just the big standard apple as I am not a fan of the flavoured ciders.
To be honest, initial impressions are poor. You need a kilo of brewing sugar (which I had), and it has cider flavouring.
No indication of SG target, and you have to go on the web to get the potential FG.
Well anyway, it’s in the fermentation fridge sat at 22c, with an SG of 1.045.
Let’s see how this goes!

 

[Deathstar]

Cider fermentation has gone off like an absolute rocket, but by eck it stinks. Opened the garage door this morning, and it was as if some sort of animal had farted!
Yeasty smell with a hint of sulphur.
The instructions said it will be done in 6 day, but I’ll leave it until next weekend before bottling. Hopefully by then the smell will have subsided and it will be bittleable.
I am hoping it’s just the strain of yeast, rather than any stress.

 

[Deathstar]

It’s been a while since my last real brew day.
The Cider turned OK in yet end, mode of a pear flavour rather than apple..... however let’s discuss today’s brew day.

I’ve been planning this for a while since I got the Greg Hughes home brew beer book for Father’s Day. I’ve had the ingredients for a couple months now, so I’ve been itching to get this going.
What did I brew you are asking, well it’s the Weissbier, however I followed the Grainfather volumes rather than the books.
Today’s brew went pretty much without a hitch and without any mess (happy wife).
Missed the OG by a few points, I came out at 1.051 rather than 1.048. I thought about diluting it down, but thought the addition ABV will be nice. Though by diluting it, I would have been nailed on 23L.
Used one of the Wyeast smack packs, but it did not swell as expected, which is probably the only small fly in the ointment.

It’s now sat in the brew fridge for the next few weeks.
This one I am looking forward to note than most.

 

[Deathstar]

Bottled my Weissbier this evening, it came out at 1.006 and lower than I was expecting. Anyway it’s now tucked away somewhere warm and dark carbing up before moving out to cooler climes to condition.

This weekend I am thinking about kicking off a Barley Wine in readiness for Christmas.
After that, possibly a Saison......