OMG-ALE

[EskiBrew]

I feel I ought to start this brewday post with a confession. Forgive me fellow brewers for I have not brewed an AG beer for a long time. :lol:
I do have some extenuating circumstances (at least that is my excuse) but I won't bore you with those

I'm doing a pretty hoppy ale over two nights (mash and sparge tonight) then (boil, cool and pitch tomorrow night).

Recipe details
4250gm Pale Malt, Maris Otter (4.5 SRM) Grain 95 %
225gm Crystal Malt (80 SRM) Grain 5 %
40gm Challenger [5.58 %] (90 min) Hops 28.7 IBU
58gm Bobek [2.8 %] (30 min) Hops 15.0 IBU
Irish moss (15 min)
SafAle English Ale S-04

Brew Length: 21L
Target OG: 1048 Measured OG: 1045
Bitterness: 43.7 IBU
Color: 9.5 SRM
Mash: @68 for 90 mins
Target efficiency: 74%, Measured efficiency 70%

Note: the wacky percentages for the hops are because I've adjusted the original alpha value for age and storage conditions :ugeek:

Grist weighed out

My setup

Running in strike liquor

Mash underway

Mmmmmmmmmmnnnnn - that smell is gorgous :party:

I miscalculated the strike temperature and ended up with a mash starting at about 64C. I'm aiming at 68C therefore had to add a kettle of boiling water to bring it up - fortunately I'd also slightly underestimated the mash liquor volume so after adding the kettle ful the consistancy was just about right :thumb:

 

[Mark1964]

Well done M on brewing since the stoneage hope your brew turns out grand :thumb:

 

[dennisking]

Good to see your brewing again Martin.

 

[Vossy1]

I'm surprised you remember how it all works :lol:
Great to see you brewing again

 

[tazuk]

did you not see the cob webs all over it lads lol may be should have called it omg bobs brew

 

[EskiBrew]

I'm surprised you remember how it all works :lol:

I'm making it up as I go along :lol:

Sparge now complete - pics in a few mins :thumb:

 

[31bb3]

Has the hot break reignited the old home brewing flame Martin
hope the brew goes well

 

[Vossy1]

Sparge now complete - pics in a few mins

I think the spiders have got him :rofl:

 

[EskiBrew]

Has the hot break reignited the old home brewing flame Martin

Absolutely :thumb:

Sparge now complete - pics in a few mins

I think the spiders have got him :rofl:

:lol: had to go and dump the grain in with next door's chickens :thumb:

Come to me my loveliness...

Spinning sparge arm still squeeks reassuringly :lol:

All done for tonight - that is a very full boiler - I think I will have to remove a bit before I boil tomorrow

 

[EskiBrew]

Hmmm - can anyone see those last three pics - they are not showing up for some reason...

 

[dennisking]

Hmmm - can anyone see those last three pics - they are not showing up for some reason...

:thumb: ok here.

 

[31bb3]

No M must be a job for the IT guys lol
sorry edit that yes i can now

 

[Vossy1]

Well done M, half way to heaven :drink:

 

[EskiBrew]

Ah - I can see the too now - must have been a cache issue.

Well I have thoroughly enjoyed myself tonight :party:

 

[31bb3]

thats what its all about :thumb:

 

[EskiBrew]

Righty ho - I decided I couldn't wait till this evening to finish this brew. Fortunately my boss is very understanding and I've been able to finish it off inbetween answering the phone and replying to emails :party:

Put the boiler out on the decking - it took a lot longer to get up to the boil than it would have done if I'd not split the brew day but that was fine.

Adding the Challenger

Post boil settling period - lots of material swirling around. Quite a large amount of evaporation today.

After thoroughly cleaning and sanitising the CFC, cooling underway.

Lots of splashing going on. The extra bit of stainless going to the wort aerator is a PT100 probe so I can get the temperature right.

What remains in the boiler after draining.

Taking an initial gravity reading

The colour is spot on. I was aiming for 21 litres @ 1048 but I ended up with about 17.5 litres @ 1054. Efficiency was 70% whereas I was aiming for 74%. That would work out about 5.8% ABV which is higher than I wanted therefore I decided to liquor back to 21 litres which results in an initial gravity of about 1045 which is about 4.6% :thumb:

 

[31bb3]

Nice work Martin hope you have the bug back

 

[EskiBrew]

Nice work Martin hope you have the bug back

Thanks Eddie - time will tell on that one, it will be harder to do when SWMBO and kids are around - I might do a stout next mmmmmmn

 

[Vossy1]

Great pics M , bet you can't wait to get stuck in :drink: