Survived my first AG... with only a little stupidity

[chemnitz]

On Saturday, I brewed my very first all-grain batch. It was an English mild ale. Everything went pretty smoothly throughout, though I have lots of room for improvement. In particular, I need to get a propane burner because my stove could just barely get the wort to a boil. On the other hand, I hit my numbers pretty well--70% efficiency on my first try.

So, I had just gotten the wort cooled and was transferring it to the fermenter. I had the yeast packet (S-04) open and in hand. Before I could pour it into a bowl to proof it, I got distracted. Next thing I know, I had spilled the yeast all across the floor. GAAAA!!! I had to improvise fast. It was too late to buy a new packet of S-04, and I couldn't pitch yeast that had rolled around on the ground. So, I pitched a combination of the last 1/4 packet of S-04 that didn't fall out and some Scottish ale slurry that I had in the fridge. It was the best that I could come up with on the spur of the moment.

At any rate, in spite of my best efforts to sabotage it, I think that I still made beer. It is bubbling away, and it looks and smells normal. The ester profile will probably be off, but screw it.

It was a long day (started at 2:00 and had everything put away at 10:30), but it was satisfying to have accomplished my first brewing goal of the new year.

 

[CodeRage]

Congratulations!

Don't worry, I have 8 hour brew days too some times Happens to all of us.

It would be interesting to see how it turns out, to hell with style Hope you don't like it too much though, it's going to be a ***** to reproduce!

 

[Palefire]

Congrats. Sounds like it'll be an awesome beer, if unique.

 

[hopdawg]

I love disaster stories! Even though yours was only a minor one. It makes me feel more human I suppose. I don't think I've done a batch yet without an oh $hit at some point in the process. Welcome to AG brewing. When are you ordering your mill?

 

[chemnitz]

I thought I'd give an update on this story. The beer was fine. It was a pretty tasty Mild, though there was room for improvement. Next time, I would back off on the toasted malt and not drop my yeast on the floor. I enjoyed drinking this batch, and I was sad to see it go (even though it was well past its prime for the last six-pack).

 

[osagedr]

IWelcome to AG brewing. When are you ordering your mill?

LOL...how true. Did my first AG about three weeks ago; had my buddy pick me up a mill at NB in St. Paul this weekend.