DaveGerard
Well-Known Member
10 days in the primary, bubbling stopped after about a week, got a FG of 1008 (give or take, my hydrometer tilts). Bottling wasn't that bad, even working by myself at midnite (although it definitely would have been quicker and more fun to have someone to help). I must have topped off to a little more than 5 gallons tho, because I ended up with 53 bottles, including 2 16 ozers.
I have a few questions/comments on what I think were mistakes that I made. Number 1, used all ultralight and light extract, I think that took more away from body than I thought. Number 2, I boiled 4 gallons down to 3 as my boil, and I steeped about a pound of mixed carapils and crystal in that, I'm thinking that maybe I should have steeped in less water and added it to the boil, would it have made any difference? Number 3, and really the most important question, I smelled and tasted my hydro sample, and it kind of had an Amstel light quality, rather thin, and a little watery. I'm assuming that the flavor is not going to change much during the carbonation process, right? Obviously that is not the finished beer, so I reserve judgment, but I think I used too many "light" ingredients and maybe made too weak of a beer. I'm sure it will be drinkable, but I think next time a little darker grains, and definitely mixing in some amber extract.
I have a few questions/comments on what I think were mistakes that I made. Number 1, used all ultralight and light extract, I think that took more away from body than I thought. Number 2, I boiled 4 gallons down to 3 as my boil, and I steeped about a pound of mixed carapils and crystal in that, I'm thinking that maybe I should have steeped in less water and added it to the boil, would it have made any difference? Number 3, and really the most important question, I smelled and tasted my hydro sample, and it kind of had an Amstel light quality, rather thin, and a little watery. I'm assuming that the flavor is not going to change much during the carbonation process, right? Obviously that is not the finished beer, so I reserve judgment, but I think I used too many "light" ingredients and maybe made too weak of a beer. I'm sure it will be drinkable, but I think next time a little darker grains, and definitely mixing in some amber extract.