Smithy Gold 18-01-09

[jamesb]

Hi All,

Here's what I got up to yesturday. Named in honour of the new cottage.

Smithy Gold
3kg Maris Otter
2kg Lager Malt
200g Torrified Wheat

25g First Gold (FWH)
20g First Gold (90m)
25g First Gold (15m)
45g First Gold (0m)

1tsp Gypsum in mash.
Whirlfloc tablet (10m)

Target OG 1052
Target IBU 47

I wanted to do a darker beer like Thirst Gold but SWMBO wanted a golden pale. Never mind.

The "Brewery". A work in progress. Half of the **** in there was left over from the last tenants. I'm in the process of clearing it and putting in water and electrics.

Malt weighted out.

Mash on. Hit temp of 67degC. I wanted 66 but I'm not too picky.

Rest my baby, rest.

Snug as a bug in a rug!

Today's Assistant Brewer. I called him Boris. I found him in the workshop.

Sparging. Bodged the HLT tank up as you can see

I did have a stuck mash (first ever!) but I managed to sort that out without too much effort.

Sparge arm, doing exactly as it said on the tin.

Sparging and FWH in.

Boiling away quite nicely.

I think I'm going to have to see about some form of extraction. The entire workshop was soaked when I'd finished, as was I as I was busy doing some wiring in there.

Anyone know if these cheapo kitchen jobs from Screwfix will do the job - the boiler will eventually go near the window where there's a wooden panel I can fit one into.

Anyway, got busy after this so I forgot to take photos. I still haven't fixed my IC so I had to let it cool naturally - which isn't too hard in North Wales at this time of the year - I went down the pub for a couple of hours. Two broken hydrometers later and a quick delivery by my LHBS (at 18:50!) I ended with 20l @ 1055 so I liquored back a bit to 1052.

A refreshing golden pale ale with hints of apricot and citrus - DONE!

 

[Vossy1]

Great pics jb, love the new brewing assistant

 

[BrewStew]

nice one!

that workshop has got some good potential there mate :thumb:

 

[jamesb]

nice one!

that workshop has got some good potential there mate :thumb:

Oh it has! Apart from SWMBO telling me I've got to have the washing machine in there (not really a problem - saves me plumbing in the garage) it's all going to be my brewery. Even inherited a chest freezer I can use.

Photos will be forthcoming as and when I do bits...

 

[BrewStew]

hehe i've got a washing machine in my brewery too!

i see it as an extra worktop/shelf

 

[Wez]

Nicely done JB :thumb:

 

[jamesb]

Believe it or not, it's still fermenting away. Currently at 1014. Should get down to 1008 eventually.

Temperature is 12degC (unheated house). I find that S04 will be happy enough at a temperature this low as long as it's pitched at the right temperature. I also find that you can get rid of some of the flavours commonly associated with S04. A much cleaner taste than if fermented at 18 deg and above.

 

[KevP]

I'm a little upset as I was convinced I had Boris up in my loft, although he was called Dave then, hmmmmm could he be moonlighting? :shock:

 

[jamesb]

Right, just had the first pint of this bugger. (I couldn't wait any longer).

Possibly needs another week for most people as it still has a strong bitterness to it but the taste is lovely. Very spring-fruity flavour. Body and mouthfeel are spot on. And it was perfectly bright until I booted it accidentally with my new rocks when I was carrying it inside.

 

[Vossy1]

Glad to hear it's a winner jb :

 

[A T]

Nice one JB :thumb:

 

[Wez]

:drink: :party: :clap: