Another... My first AG brew!

[bmckee56]

So I completed my first all grain last evening and all seems to have gone well . I used the Creme of Three Crops recipe from this site and made a few changes to the original recipe formation.

I used BeerSmith Software to compile the information and here is what I have:

Recipe: Orange Blossom Creme Ale
Brewer: Barry McKee
Asst Brewer:
Style: Cream Ale
TYPE: All Grain
Taste: (35.0)

Recipe Specifications
--------------------------
Batch Size: 5.50 gal
Boil Size: 6.57 gal
Estimated OG: 1.058 SG
Estimated Color: 4.4 SRM
Estimated IBU: 15.7 IBU
Brewhouse Efficiency: 85.60 %
Boil Time: 60 Minutes

Ingredients:
------------
Amount Item Type % or IBU
0.50 lb Rice Hulls (0.0 SRM) Adjunct 4.65 %
6.00 lb Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) Grain 55.81 %
2.00 lb Corn, Flaked (1.3 SRM) Grain 18.60 %
1.00 lb Rice, Flaked (1.0 SRM) Grain 9.30 %
0.25 lb Caramel/Crystal Malt - 40L (40.0 SRM) Grain 2.33 %
1.00 oz Williamette [4.30 %] (45 min) Hops 11.0 IBU
0.80 oz Crystal [3.10 %] (20 min) Hops 4.7 IBU
2.00 tsp Irish Moss (Boil 10.0 min) Misc
1.00 lb Honey (1.0 SRM) Sugar 9.30 %
1 Pkgs California Ale (White Labs #WLP001) Starter Used


Mash Schedule: Single Infusion, Light Body, Batch Sparge
Total Grain Weight: 9.75 lb
----------------------------
Single Infusion, Light Body, Batch Sparge
Step Time Name Description Step Temp
90 min Mash In Add 12.00 qt of water at 165.1 F 150.0 F


Notes:
------
This is my first attempt at AG brewing. After Sparge O.G. was 1.06 @ 118 degrees (adjusted is 1.07). Post boil O.G. was 1.055 @ 85 degrees.


I have no pictures unfortunately. I was consumed with making sure I did everything right. I used a SS Braide in my MLT and had no problems with the Sparge (no stuck runoff).

I finished up the whole process at 10:40 last night and as of 6:10am, the primary was showing signs of life within. I plan on letting this sit in the primary for 7 days, then transferring to a cornie to cold crash, filter and then keg for serving.

So without additional information, how does my recipe look and what do you think of my efficiency (85.6%)? Is this really possible on the first AG I ever brewed?

Thanks to all who provided information over the last few months regarding all of the steps involved in AG brewing.

Salute!

 

[Scut_Monkey]

Just make sure your starting gravity reading is corrected for temperature. Also, the closer you can get the sample to the calibration temperature of the hydrometer (60 or 68F) the better off you will be. Converting the temperature using Beersmith or any other software is much less accurate than letting the sample cool to near the calibration temp and taking the reading at that temp. Granted you can't always cool the sample to 60F but I try to let them reach room temp and I find my readings more accurate.

Also, make sure your batch volume reading is accurate and the weight of the grain bill is accurate. These are the three things that can skew your efficiency reading and make you scratch your head. Hope you had fun!

 

[bmckee56]

I use my hydrometer for wine making as well as beer and have checked the accuracy many times. I use distilled water @ 68 degrees and it is quite close to reading dead on. I did have a high temperature on the initial S.G. and I used BeerSmith calculations to adjust my readings. I appreciate the input on waiting for the sample to cool more and will do so in the future.

I also use a digital scale to weigh all of my ingredients for each recipe. As for volumes of water, I just try to get close to actual using graduated containers and measuring cups. I suppose weighing the water might be more accurate, but for now, I am happy with the current method.

I am looking to put together a sparge header for my cooler and I am looking at CPVC piping or possibly one of the big round shower heads with lots of holes in it. Not certain which direction to go, but I need to get something together before the next AG session.

Salute!

 

[Scut_Monkey]

I use my hydrometer for wine making as well as beer and have checked the accuracy many times. I use distilled water @ 68 degrees and it is quite close to reading dead on. I did have a high temperature on the initial S.G. and I used BeerSmith calculations to adjust my readings. I appreciate the input on waiting for the sample to cool more and will do so in the future.


Salute!

I realize it is kind of a pain to wait for the temp to drop. That's one advantage of a refractometer. Sounds like you are accurate with your measuring. Nice efficiency then. :rockin:

 

[bmckee56]

It is now Sunday and the primary continues to show nice activity. I am holding the room temperature at 67 degrees in hopes that my fermentation temperature does not go above 72. I need to get a stick on temperature indicator for the primary to give me a better idea of where the actual brew is at. I have an infrared temp gun but I am not confident that it will read the true temp inside the primary. Although the stick on is probably no better.

I just purchased a new lid for one of my primaries, so I might just drill a new hole in the lid and place a grommet in the hole and put my dial thermometer in the primary.

Anyway, just a brief update until fermentation is complete. I plan to transfer to a cornie keg and give it several days before putting it into a cold crash, so I can filter it.

My next AG might be a Nut Brown..... SWMBO like them a lot and is requesting such a brew.

Salute!

 

[skiingimpy]

I use a shower head, it's pretty big but it's not huge, I have noticed that I need to move it around while I sparge or the grain bed starts to develop low spots. When I say starts to, I mean when I sparge the entire batch with the head in one spot, I think I see that the grain bed under it is lower than the surrounding. This very well could be paranoia. Either way, moving it periodically takes care of the issue. And it's pretty cheap. Let me know if you want plans.

 

[bmckee56]

I use a shower head, it's pretty big but it's not huge, I have noticed that I need to move it around while I sparge or the grain bed starts to develop low spots. When I say starts to, I mean when I sparge the entire batch with the head in one spot, I think I see that the grain bed under it is lower than the surrounding. This very well could be paranoia. Either way, moving it periodically takes care of the issue. And it's pretty cheap. Let me know if you want plans.

Absolutely! Send me what you have and I will consider it. Thanks.

Salute!