Alrighty then.. Here goes.
I purchases a Scottish Ale Extract kit from Midwest. The kit (5 gallon batch) came with I believe was 3 pounds barley extract, specialty grains, brown sugar, and 1 oz hops added 30 minutes into the boil i believe. (i could tell you the exact details but it doesn't seem to show what's in the kits on the site, wtf? Here's the link anywho Scottish Ale w/ Scottish Ale Activator Wyeast 1728 :: Midwest Supplies Homebrewing and Winemaking Supplies) I steeped the grains at 155 degrees for the maximum time recommended (30 minutes). Fermentation started off well, bubbling a lot within the first few hours and lasted a week or so. I didn't take a hydo reading before primary however it's been in primary for 3 weeks at ~68 degrees. I transferred to secondary yesterday, tasted a sample, and took a hydro reading. Hydro reading was 1.010 which is = like 1.5% ABV... lame...but this is the FG stated on the instructions (but not on the site) so i guess i hit the nail on the head. Wish i knew the FG specifications before i bought this. Anywho, the taste was actually pretty decent, nice aroma, however it was indeed watery. About a half inch of trub....
Now, I'm pretty certain there is nothing i can do about the watery part at this point (if there is tell me) but I am going to be brewing another kit i bought from them that so happens to magically have the same FG of 1.01 as well. It is an Irish Red Ale including the following:
6lbs Barely Extract
1oz Cascade
1oz Fuggle
Munton's Brew Yeast.
and i didnt have a scale but i believe 2-3lbs of specialty grains.
I'm worried that this batch will also turn out watery like the first and perhaps another type of yeast may work better. So I would love some insight on why this brew is watery and likewise any recommendations on how to make the Irish Red Batch not...at all...I plan on ordering some stuff and just needed to know before hand.
Thanks for your time.
I purchases a Scottish Ale Extract kit from Midwest. The kit (5 gallon batch) came with I believe was 3 pounds barley extract, specialty grains, brown sugar, and 1 oz hops added 30 minutes into the boil i believe. (i could tell you the exact details but it doesn't seem to show what's in the kits on the site, wtf? Here's the link anywho Scottish Ale w/ Scottish Ale Activator Wyeast 1728 :: Midwest Supplies Homebrewing and Winemaking Supplies) I steeped the grains at 155 degrees for the maximum time recommended (30 minutes). Fermentation started off well, bubbling a lot within the first few hours and lasted a week or so. I didn't take a hydo reading before primary however it's been in primary for 3 weeks at ~68 degrees. I transferred to secondary yesterday, tasted a sample, and took a hydro reading. Hydro reading was 1.010 which is = like 1.5% ABV... lame...but this is the FG stated on the instructions (but not on the site) so i guess i hit the nail on the head. Wish i knew the FG specifications before i bought this. Anywho, the taste was actually pretty decent, nice aroma, however it was indeed watery. About a half inch of trub....
Now, I'm pretty certain there is nothing i can do about the watery part at this point (if there is tell me) but I am going to be brewing another kit i bought from them that so happens to magically have the same FG of 1.01 as well. It is an Irish Red Ale including the following:
6lbs Barely Extract
1oz Cascade
1oz Fuggle
Munton's Brew Yeast.
and i didnt have a scale but i believe 2-3lbs of specialty grains.
I'm worried that this batch will also turn out watery like the first and perhaps another type of yeast may work better. So I would love some insight on why this brew is watery and likewise any recommendations on how to make the Irish Red Batch not...at all...I plan on ordering some stuff and just needed to know before hand.
Thanks for your time.