user 22118
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- Jul 4, 2008
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Long story short, I read the little "Information for New AG Brewers" at the top of the page and it somewhat helped, but not enough. I made a dark ale today and missed my OG of 1.050 and my 5gal volume. Instead I ended with 1.040 and 4 gal!
I used 10lbs Maris Otter and then some darker malts for color and flavor. I did a 60 min mash at 152*F and Lautered off using 170*F. Boiled for 105 min and ended with the above mentioned 1.040 @ 4 gal.
I asked the LHBS what my problem was and they said that after the mash reheat to 170*F and then sparge and lauter so that the sparge water isn't losing heat but rather adding similar temperature liquid. Also they said that since I don't spray sparge, but rather pitcher and scoop (get my hot pot and use a pitcher to put it into the lauter tun) that I might not be getting all of the sugars out. I am going to use a hose to a cap with holes next time, seeing as this like losing a case of beer for the same amount of time spent.
So I guess that my questions are these. How did I miss by that much? I figured that 10 lbs made 1.056 @ 5 gal. Meanwhile here I am at 6 gal at 1.027. That is worse than half! I know that my conversion is allright, is it possible that I didn't lauter hot enough or what? I am pretty sure that the crush of the grain was good as I don't want to make flour and get a stuck sparge.
I feel like I was used and thrown away by my beer...Any help is appreciated.
I used 10lbs Maris Otter and then some darker malts for color and flavor. I did a 60 min mash at 152*F and Lautered off using 170*F. Boiled for 105 min and ended with the above mentioned 1.040 @ 4 gal.
I asked the LHBS what my problem was and they said that after the mash reheat to 170*F and then sparge and lauter so that the sparge water isn't losing heat but rather adding similar temperature liquid. Also they said that since I don't spray sparge, but rather pitcher and scoop (get my hot pot and use a pitcher to put it into the lauter tun) that I might not be getting all of the sugars out. I am going to use a hose to a cap with holes next time, seeing as this like losing a case of beer for the same amount of time spent.
So I guess that my questions are these. How did I miss by that much? I figured that 10 lbs made 1.056 @ 5 gal. Meanwhile here I am at 6 gal at 1.027. That is worse than half! I know that my conversion is allright, is it possible that I didn't lauter hot enough or what? I am pretty sure that the crush of the grain was good as I don't want to make flour and get a stuck sparge.
I feel like I was used and thrown away by my beer...Any help is appreciated.