Yesterday I finally found some time to brew up a couple of batches (first time since April). Had plans to get up early and start brewing, but that never works so I didn't start heating water until around noon.
First thing I discover.
My Wyeast was at the back of the refrigerator and had frozen. Luckily SWMBO was going to be IVO the LHBS, so I had her pick up an extra pack. Just to note, the frozen pack swelled up just fine, but I double pitched anyway.
Second:
My digital probe thermometer died. This is also my timer. Borrowed a thermometer from the neigbor, used cell phone alarm to time hop addtions.
Third: Couldn't find my hydrometer anywhere. Was hoping to catch SWMBO before she went to LHBS, but didn't. Ended up saying screw it and brewed both batches without checking gravity. Usually my efficiency is about 75%, so I winged it.
Made an IIPA/Barleywine (10G Batch). I remember reading that larger mashes aren't as efficient. I maxed out my cooler with grain and added some extract. Then I got the wild hair to start adding stuff to the beer. So I added some brown sugar, honey, molasses, etc... This and about 1.5# of hops. I typically cook by just throwing things together, and decided to see what happens with the beer. Filled up my 20G rubbermaid Brute Trash can with 10G of IIPA/Barleywine (I haven't decided what to call it yet). My daughter helped my carry it to my fermentation fridge where....
Fourth: I discovered it was too wide and the door wouldn't shut. Thought I had checked it before, but I guess I didn't. So I informed SWMBO that there would be a large trash can in the corner of the dining room for the next two weeks. She was cool with it.
Fifth: During cleanup, I dumped my mash tun over the fence into the woods. Part of the manifold fell out into the grain pile. Today I have to wade through blackberry bushes from hell to fish the pieces out.
I'm sure there are also 6-8, that I have forgotten.
So in the end I have Brewtopia's
White Heat Belgian Wit (5G), that may or may not have hit my target OG.
10G of IIPA/Barleywine Hop monster that I have no good idea of OG. (Software says about 1.090). I think I might end up oaking half of it when it's all done.
Both are fermenting fine this morning and I still made beer.
One of those brewdays....
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