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Barley-Davidson · 07-11-2007, 05:51 PM

Today I brewed my first AG batch, and despite a few learning opportunities it went really well.

I started by missing my mash temp, 12' too low. Added about a gal of 200' water to hit 152'. Mash and batch sparge went smoothly from there (with some help from 'lil sparky).

The MLT

The Mash

Spent Grain

The Wort

**EdWort** · 07-11-2007, 06:00 PM

Congrats! Welcome to the club, The All Grain Club! Did you take an O.G. reading?

Wadja brew?

Barley-Davidson · 07-11-2007, 06:08 PM

I brewed Ed Wort's Haus Pale Ale after reading all the rave reviews.
Hit the OG on the nose

Here's a hydrometer pic, took the pic too close, but I know it reads 1.051.

Not my first full boil, but the first where I needed to end up with the right amount. Came up a little short, I boiled off more than expected. I don't think I could've boiled more runoff, so next time I will plan to top off the boil partway through.

After the yeast is pitched and the fermenter is safely downstairs, it's time to clean up.

Overall I couldn't be happier for a first time AG brewday. I couldn't have done it without the help and advise from HTB, thanks to all!

**EdWort** · 07-11-2007, 06:24 PM

Very nice. Did you drink your hydrometer jar? It's a must on your first all grain you know.

Barley-Davidson · 07-11-2007, 06:28 PM

Of course I did, and it was delicious. I didn't drink all the break material that settled out, though.
Definately looking forward to drinking this batch.

Now I have to work on my fermentation temps, we're having a mini heat wave in Jersey this week, although nothing like all the poor southwest brewers are experiencing.

**EdWort** · 07-11-2007, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barley-Davidson

Of course I did, and it was delicious. I didn't drink all the break material that settled out, though.
Definately looking forward to drinking this batch.

Now I have to work on my fermentation temps, we're having a mini heat wave in Jersey this week, although nothing like all the poor southwest brewers are experiencing.

Congrats. I had the same issue here in Texas till I started fermenting in a chest freezer with a temp controller.

Before that, I put my bucket in a gray rubbermaid bus pan (like they use in restaurants to bus dishes, get them at Sam's club) add about 1/2 to 3/4 inch of water and put a t-shirt over my bucket with the airlock through the neck of the shirt. I'd help the shirt along by wetting it on all sides for the bottom 3/4th of the shirt. I did not want a wet shirt near my lid.

On really hot days, I would drop an ice pack in the water. I made several batchs of Haus Pale this way, as well as my first batch. Works out great!

**Sir Humpsalot** · 07-11-2007, 06:55 PM

Yuck! Did you say cleanup??!!! That's the worst part.

It's the reason I've now committed myself to brewing 2 or 3 batches in a day. That way, I get three batches with only one cleanup!!!!

Barley-Davidson · 07-11-2007, 08:38 PM

Here's the t-shirt fermentation chiller

Would've started doing this sooner but the bucket was full of my son's toys. I had to get a new container for them before I could commandeer it for brew purposes.

**Lil' Sparky** · 07-11-2007, 10:19 PM

Way to go! Sounds like a great 1st AG experience. You can be sure that a lot don't go nearly that smoothly. As Ed said, welcome to the club.

Barley-Davidson · 07-12-2007, 12:23 AM

Thanks. I'm hoping to get another AG batch in before time constraints send me back to extract for a while.

According to the efficiency calculator at tastybrew my efficiency is 68.6%, how does that compare with the average, and how can I improve it? I don't have a grain mill so I have to rely on the HBS for my crush.