Have a go at simple AG

[matt666]

I tried my first AG product at the weekend after following this thread. Have to say I'd never have tried it without this thread, it all seemed complicated and expensive but actually it's produced some really good beer at little cost, so much thanks to clibit.

My problem is time. I did another at the weekend and it took 4 hours from start to finish which isn't all that practical with an 18 month old to look after. I'm thinking of splitting the brew day so I mash and sparge on one day, collect the wort and leave it overnight, then boil the next day. Is that possible?

 

[clibit]

My problem is time. I did another at the weekend and it took 4 hours from start to finish which isn't all that practical with an 18 month old to look after. I'm thinking of splitting the brew day so I mash and sparge on one day, collect the wort and leave it overnight, then boil the next day. Is that possible?

Yes it's fine. Time is the big issue, time waits for no man. Now I'm used to brewing this way I do it while I'm doing other things, unless I have the luxury of a few free hours. Takes me 3 hours. And I do 10 litres.

 

[MyQul]

My problem is time. I did another at the weekend and it took 4 hours from start to finish which isn't all that practical with an 18 month old to look after. I'm thinking of splitting the brew day so I mash and sparge on one day, collect the wort and leave it overnight, then boil the next day. Is that possible?

The problem with doing this is you you need to keep the wort above about 130F else bacteria can sour your wort even if you boil it later the damage will still be done.

I brew over two days:
D1 Mash, Sparge, Boil
D2 Overnight cool (no chill in the FV), pitch yeast

I soon plan on doing a 3 day mash day and have been doing some research into overnight mashing
D1 Overnight Mash
D2 Sparge Boil
D3 Overnight cool, Pitch yeast

This is for a full 23L Maxi-BIAB btw

This article is very informative on overnight mashing:
http://www.brewboard.com/index.php?showtopic=30815

It's also possible to do extended mashes. So you might dough in and mash early in the morningirst thing leave it to mash all day and then sparge & boil in the evening.

 

[clibit]

Good point - you could, though, raise the temp to about 75-80C to kill the life forms within it and then leave it overnight with cling film on top, I reckon.

 

[MyQul]

Good point - you could, though, raise the temp to about 75-80C to kill the life forms within it and then leave it overnight with cling film on top, I reckon.

Think that would work. But he'd have to insulate it to make sure it doesn't fall below 55C.

For my first overnight I mash plan on starting the mash at 70C and insulating as normal with my 4 towel and a blanket. I've also bought two space blankets so will use those too.

 

[clibit]

NASA technology eh?!

 

[matt666]

Trouble is, I think it would be difficult to keep it at that temp, especially when it's only 10l. Wouldn't it?

 

[clibit]

I would say don't worry. If you raise the wort to 80 and then cover it with cling film I can't see there being a problem. It will be boiled a few hours later.

 

[MyQul]

NASA technology eh?!

Gonna make some space beer

 

[Tony1951]

Yes it's fine. Time is the big issue, time waits for no man. Now I'm used to brewing this way I do it while I'm doing other things, unless I have the luxury of a few free hours. Takes me 3 hours. And I do 10 litres.

I am guessing you have a gas hob Clibit. A lot of my brew time is about waiting for water to heat up on an electric ceramic hob. The stock pot has a depression in the bottom about 3mm deep and this makes contact with the hot surface of the hob difficult.

I got some time savings on my second brew by using the electric kettle to supply the mash and sparge water. As it happened. three 1.5 litre boiled kettles and one part boiled came out at almost exactly 70c for mashing and much the same for sparging water. I needed 6 litres each time.

Still had a long wait for the rolling boil though. I think I was all done and cleaned up in about four hours. My cleaning regime was quicker second time around after I started using a bag to filter the grains inside the pot rather than dripping wort all over the kitchen. :?

 

[clibit]

Yes I've a gas hob. :thumb:

 

[MyQul]

I am guessing you have a gas hob Clibit. A lot of my brew time is about waiting for water to heat up on an electric ceramic hob. The stock pot has a depression in the bottom about 3mm deep and this makes contact with the hot surface of the hob difficult.

I got some time savings on my second brew by using the electric kettle to supply the mash and sparge water. As it happened. three 1.5 litre boiled kettles and one part boiled came out at almost exactly 70c for mashing and much the same for sparging water. I needed 6 litres each time.

Still had a long wait for the rolling boil though. I think I was all done and cleaned up in about four hours. My cleaning regime was quicker second time around after I started using a bag to filter the grains inside the pot rather than dripping wort all over the kitchen. :?

The more practice, the faster you'll get. When I first started AG my brew day was a mammoth 8 hrs

 

[ceejam]

Having a taste, very good!

Not the clearest beer I've made, but no finings used & not sure I got a good hot break.
I tipped everything (except hops) from the boil into the DJ too, do you normally try and leave the real true in the boiling pot?

View attachment ImageUploadedByTapatalk1431457885.142659.jpg

My 15L el cheapo pot arrived too, but no time to get a brew on this week.

 

[Padawanrob]

I have a terrible addiction from this thread, I have bottled my 1st batch but did have an issue when syphoning from FV to bottling bucket (I caused to much aeration) so bought an auto-syphon to sort the issue, I have done a 2nd batch and added some crystal malt and that is now its 2nd FV.

I have just on Sunday done my 3rd small batch but have done an experiment and totally used a made-up recipe using brew mate,

I did Maris Otter 86%, Black Malt 4%, Wheat Malt 4% and Crystal Malt 6%, the hops I did EKG 60min, Cascade 15min, Cascade 5min, I really dont know if this will work but I was hoping for something similar to a drink called UBU.

The reason I love this small batch is the fact I can experiment and I can brew more in small batches, I only started brewing on the 19th April and Im hooked :smile:

 

[BeerCat]

Excellent thread. Such a good read and most inspiring. Just need a bigger pot then shall be trying this.

 

[clibit]

I have just on Sunday done my 3rd small batch but have done an experiment and totally used a made-up recipe using brew mate,

I did Maris Otter 86%, Black Malt 4%, Wheat Malt 4% and Crystal Malt 6%, the hops I did EKG 60min, Cascade 15min, Cascade 5min, I really dont know if this will work but I was hoping for something similar to a drink called UBU.

That sounds really good. Let us know how it turns out. I love experimenting like this too.

 

[yeastinfection]

Ok.so I've done 3 of these brews now following to recipe to the letter. All good so far. I've only tasted one as there sat waiting for my holiday to start :-)
I'm looking at my next order of grains etc.
Can I add a small quantity of other grains to change the flavour/character of the beer. Say a roasted or caramel grain?
Would I use 900g of marris otter and 100g of the other. Or add the additional grain to the 1kg of marris otter? I'm trying to get a variety and trying to get my head around what can and be done.
Looking forward to my next brew :-)

 

[matt666]

I used some Crystal malt in my latest, to the ratio you've posted. It's supposed to add sweetness and colour

 

[yeastinfection]

I used some Crystal malt in my latest, to the ratio you've posted. It's supposed to add sweetness and colour

Have you tasted it yet?

 

[clibit]

Ok.so I've done 3 of these brews now following to recipe to the letter. All good so far. I've only tasted one as there sat waiting for my holiday to start :-)
I'm looking at my next order of grains etc.
Can I add a small quantity of other grains to change the flavour/character of the beer. Say a roasted or caramel grain?
Would I use 900g of marris otter and 100g of the other. Or add the additional grain to the 1kg of marris otter? I'm trying to get a variety and trying to get my head around what can and be done.
Looking forward to my next brew :-)

Yes, 5-10% crystal is a very common addition. Or a roasted grain. You can also add some wheat. I'll do a post on developing the malt mix at some point.