Boil Time Question

[RedGlass]

I'm new to the forum and pretty new to brewing (getting ready to attempt my second batch). Forgive me in advance for asking what is probably a very dumb/simple question...

I have a kit for a Sam Adams clone (chose it so I could compare it and get a sense of how I'm doing). The suggested directions call for a 10 minute boil after adding the hop pellets (hallertau) and then cooling the wort. That strikes me as really strange, seeing as everything I have read says my boil after adding hops should be closer to 60 minutes (which it was for the brown ale kit I brewed a few months ago).

My inclination is to go with what the books say and disregard the directions on the box as maybe being a bare minimum. Am I missing something here? Is there a reason to limit the boil for 10 minutes that I'm not aware of? Do I run a risk of ruining the brew by boiling for a more standard 60 mins?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can shed some light...

 

[wildwest450]

Somethings not right, can you post the recipe or tell us what book it came out of?

 

[cvstrat]

You'll typically add hops at 3 different times. At the beginning for bitterness, the middleish for flavor, and the end for aroma.

Hop additions times are usually in terms of time left in the boil. A 60 min addition is at the very start of a 60 min boil, a 10 min addition is with 10 mins left (or 50 mins in). My guess is that they are asking you to add them with 10 mins left to go as an aroma addition.

 

[RedGlass]

Somethings not right, can you post the recipe or tell us what book it came out of?

Got the kit from a place called "Beer and Wine Hobby" in Massachusetts (local but online). Its a "Premium Sam Adams Style Clone" with directions as follows:

"Place grains into muslin bag and tie bag. Add 2 gallons of cold water to your brew pot, bring to a boil; remove from heat and add grain bag and let steep for 15-20 minutes. Remove grain bag and discard. Add Coopers Real Ale, dry malt extract, 3/4 oz. or the hops (half the bag) and Irish moss, then return to heat and boil for 10 minutes. With 1 minute remaining in the boil add the additional 3/4 oz. hops. Remove from heat. Let cool...."

I'm comfortable on pretty much everything except the brew times (I studied up for a long time before actually starting a few months ago). Am I crazy or does that just seem too short?

 

[Tripod]

That seem short to me unless it is meant to be an aroma only hop addition. I could understand this step being in there only after a bittering addition somewhere around 60 mins and a flavoring addition somewhere around 30 mins.

If the only hop additions say they should be done with 10 mins and 1 min left in the 60 minute boil I would be wary too...

-Tripod

PS: Welcome to HBT!!!

 

[Reelale]

Unless you have hopped LME, I would think it should read "boil for 60 minutes" and add remaining hops (for aroma) for last ten minutes. The only thing that is confusing is they call for the hops and Irish Moss at the same time, and I know that Irish moss is usually added the last 10-15 minutes. Someone here can clear this up I'm sure.

 

[Reelale]

Boiling water is around 212 degrees F. Every recipe I've used calls for steeping specialty grains at 155 degrees F. I would look up a tested recipe here and order the ingredients for that, something just ain't right!

 

[RedGlass]

Unless you have hopped LME...

Yup. That is exactly what I have (although, in fairness, I didn't realize that when I asked the question).

Thanks for helping the noob.

 

[RedGlass]

Boiling water is around 212 degrees F. Every recipe I've used calls for steeping specialty grains at 155 degrees F. I would look up a tested recipe here and order the ingredients for that, something just ain't right!

Yeah, I had planned on that (thanks to ole John Palmer). I know to take the directions with a fair dose of salt, but it was that hop addition thing that was really puzzling me. Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[Reelale]

I didn't even know they made that stuff anymore, oh well. But I still think you are steeping too hot. Anyone else? Anyway good luck with your brew.

 

[Reelale]

Sorry, I posted before I saw your reply.