Survived my first AG... with only a little stupidity
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On Saturday, I brewed my very first all-grain batch. It was an English mild ale. Everything went pretty smoothly throughout, though I have lots of room for improvement. In particular, I need to get a propane burner because my stove could just barely get the wort to a boil. On the other hand, I hit my numbers pretty well--70% efficiency on my first try.
So, I had just gotten the wort cooled and was transferring it to the fermenter. I had the yeast packet (S-04) open and in hand. Before I could pour it into a bowl to proof it, I got distracted. Next thing I know, I had spilled the yeast all across the floor. GAAAA!!! I had to improvise fast. It was too late to buy a new packet of S-04, and I couldn't pitch yeast that had rolled around on the ground. So, I pitched a combination of the last 1/4 packet of S-04 that didn't fall out and some Scottish ale slurry that I had in the fridge. It was the best that I could come up with on the spur of the moment.
At any rate, in spite of my best efforts to sabotage it, I think that I still made beer. It is bubbling away, and it looks and smells normal. The ester profile will probably be off, but screw it.
It was a long day (started at 2:00 and had everything put away at 10:30), but it was satisfying to have accomplished my first brewing goal of the new year.
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"Das Wort hat, ... als ich Wittenbergisch Bier mit meinem Philipp und Amsdorf getrunken hab, also viel getan..." - Martin Luther
On Deck: American IPA, Märzen
Fermenting: None
In Bottles: Prime Abbey Singel, Vespers Abbey Dubbel, Terce Abbey Tripel, Compline Abbey Quad, Dragon's Tail Barleywine, Boyne Mead
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Happens to all of us.
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