[magnj]

So I brewed yesterday...here's what I did.

Washed with Oxyclean, then sanitized by soaking in Starsan.
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Boiled top-off water and put it back into a sterilized container then into the freezer.
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Brought 4 gallons to 170F and steeped Crystal 40L for 40 minutes.
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Brought the mixture back up to a boil, remove from heat mix in 3 lbs of DME and ~1/2 oz of Magnum.
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30 minutes later I fished out the hop bag and added ~1/4oz of Perle.
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15 minutes later I added ~1/2 oz of Cascade and a teaspoon of Irish Moss.
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@Flameout I added another 3lbs of DME and then cooled the wort.
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Finally I siphoned most of the wort into the Fermentor, topped off about 1.5 gallons w/ pre-boiled top off water and pitched the yeast, took a turkey baster and filled up the test tube and took an O.G. of 1.044 (Beersmith called for 1.052)
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Moved it to the basement and crossed my fingers.
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It all settled out in about an hour and the top looked thin from the top-off water so I gave it a good shake and went to bed.

Here is what it looks like this morning, I was kind of worried but I hear bubbles from the Blow off tube so I think it is alive.



P.S. 4 picture limit is weak.

[Rezilynt]

Congratulations! It's looking good.

[Saccharomyces]

Perfect! Should come out great!

[magnj]

Thanks, it's gaining steam, now there is a thin film growing on the surface and the blow off is bubbling a bit faster. Temp is ~62F but I expect it will climb as fermentation gets more active.

My only question is I was advised to add another 1/2 oz of cascade @5 minutes left in the boil and I did not. Should I try dry hopping when it's done being real active?

Also my OG was low, could it have been that I didn't mix in the top off water too well and can I sneak a reading in now or is it not worth it.

[pcrawford]

Originally Posted by magnj

Thanks, it's gaining steam, now there is a thin film growing on the surface and the blow off is bubbling a bit faster. Temp is ~62F but I expect it will climb as fermentation gets more active.

My only question is I was advised to add another 1/2 oz of cascade @5 minutes left in the boil and I did not. Should I try dry hopping when it's done being real active?

Also my OG was low, could it have been that I didn't mix in the top off water too well and can I sneak a reading in now or is it not worth it.

Its starting fermenting so you won't be able to get an Original Gravity reading. I wouldn't worry about it, its going to be great even if you don't know exactly what % alcohol it is.

I would dry hop it in the secondary if you plan on using a secondary. if not just toss the hops in in about 1 week. and leave them in for at least a week or so...

[magnj]

Ok, I mean the reading was 1.044 but I realized afterward that I didn't really give it a good stir so I'll assume I got close.

No secondary for me, just a primary so I guess I'll dry hop it in a week or 2.

[Homercidal]

I think the hops additions look ok, but I personally would dry hop. Love them cascades!

[magnj]

The dry hop won't make it more bitter just more aroma correct? I want to be able to share this with friends who aren't necessarily beer enthusiasts and probably wouldn't appreciate anything to bitter. That said, I do intend on trying some bigger recipes in the future, hopefully a big Imperial IPA at the end of the summer with fresh hops

[Zul'jin]

The old no wort chiller so cool it in a sink full of ice technique. Same here. Take the lid off the pot and let heat escape from the top. It's mo faster.

[Spoooky]

Nice work! Our first batch went in on Wednesday night, and looked almost exactly like yours at first. (We made a mistake and didn't chill the wort before racking to the carboy, so that took about 12 hours to cool).

2 days later, we've got a healthy 2-3 inches of foam and the thing is a beauty. So don't worry magnj. Give it a day or three.