can I do this AG?

[tranceamerica]

Ok, I was working up a PM sweet stout recipe in beer smith. low and behold, the recipe didn't seem to need the extract to hit the style OG / ABV. I could mash the required grains in my setup (limiting factor being my 5 gallon brew pot) and do this AG. But I worry that beer smith is expecting a higher efficiency than I could do. Opinions? Here's the proposed AG recepie:

Type: All Grain
Date: 4/8/2008
Batch Size: 5.00 gal
Boil Size: 4.62 gal
Boil Time: 60 min Equipment: Brew Pot (5gal) and Igloo Cooler (5 Gal)
Brewhouse Efficiency: 75.00


Ingredients

Amount Item Type % or IBU
4.50 lb Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) Grain 54.55 %
1.00 lb Caramel/Crystal Malt - 60L (60.0 SRM) Grain 12.12 %
0.75 lb Roasted Barley (300.0 SRM) Grain 9.09 %
0.50 lb Cara-Pils/Dextrine (2.0 SRM) Grain 6.06 %
0.50 lb Chocolate Malt (350.0 SRM) Grain 6.06 %
0.50 oz Chinook [13.00 %] (60 min) Hops 22.9 IBU
1.00 lb Milk Sugar (Lactose) (0.0 SRM) Sugar 12.12 %
1 Pkgs Nottingham (Danstar #-) Yeast-Ale



Beer Profile

Est Original Gravity: 1.044 SG
Est Final Gravity: 1.011 SG
Estimated Alcohol by Vol: 4.34 %
Bitterness: 22.9 IBU
Est Color: 33.7 SRM


Mash Profile

Mash Name: Single Infusion, Full Body, Batch Sparge Total Grain Weight: 7.25 lb
Sparge Water: 3.47 gal Grain Temperature: 72.0 F
Sparge Temperature: 168.0 F TunTemperature: 72.0 F
Adjust Temp for Equipment: FALSE Mash PH: 5.4 PH

Single Infusion, Full Body, Batch Sparge Step Time Name Description Step Temp
45 min Mash In Add 9.06 qt of water at 170.5 F 158.0 F

 

[FlyingHorse]

EDIT: missed the lactose. 75% eff will get you to 1.044. Go for it!

Quick check in ProMash shows that you'd have to hit 88% efficiency to get 5 gal at 1.044. Not sure why that's so different than what Beersmith is showing.

Anyway, you could always just mash as an AG, and add extract if your pre-boil gravity comes up short.

 

[Dr_Deathweed]

+1 on above. Of course, that is pretty much what a PM is

 

[tranceamerica]

ok, then I have some follow up questions:

I've never done AG before, and I have to confess never even used a hydrometer. I'll get one for this adventure....but I've noted that measuring gravity of hot wort gives you different measurements than what you get in the fermenter, and since I'd have to top off w/a bit of cold water (because my brew pot isn't large enough) I know that my gravity would be skewed. How can I correct? Or, do I measure gravity of my preboil wort?

 

[RICLARK]

ok, then I have some follow up questions:

I've never done AG before, and I have to confess never even used a hydrometer. I'll get one for this adventure....but I've noted that measuring gravity of hot wort gives you different measurements than what you get in the fermenter, and since I'd have to top off w/a bit of cold water (because my brew pot isn't large enough) I know that my gravity would be skewed. How can I correct? Or, do I measure gravity of my preboil wort?

I dont take a pre boil reading, I suggest upping your grain bill slightly because if you dont hit 75% EFF you might end up with a O.G. in the 1.030's.

 

[tranceamerica]

I dont take a pre boil reading, I suggest upping your grain bill slightly because if you dont hit 75% EFF you might end up with a O.G. in the 1.030's.

Yeah, that's my worry too. But if I wanted to take a preboil OG, (so I could add ME if I'm a bit low) how would I do it to get a correct reading?

 

[reshp1]

Keep in mind the lactose does not ferment, so you won't get the 75% attenuation you are assuming in your recipe, you'll be closer to 1.018. That only gives you about 3.4% ABV. Nothing wrong with that, just something to keep in mind.

 

[Skipster]

Use the same grain bill and check in beersmith what your OG should be for a 4 1/2 gallon batch (depending on boil off amount). If it hits the target, you're there no need for ME. If you are are short you will know by how much. Top off to 5 Gallons and you are set.

 

[tranceamerica]

Keep in mind the lactose does not ferment, so you won't get the 75% attenuation you are assuming in your recipe, you'll be closer to 1.018. That only gives you about 3.4% ABV. Nothing wrong with that, just something to keep in mind.

I know it doesn't ferment, but according to beersmith, it does. HUH???

according to beersmith:

"Milk Sugar (Lactose)
US

Yield: 76.10 %
Type: Sugar
Potential: 1.035
Color: 0.0
Coarse Fine Diff: - % Max In Batch: 10.00 %
Moisture: - Must Mash: FALSE
Diastatic Power: - Protein: -
Inventory: 0.00 lb
IBU: 0.000
Notes: Not fully fermentable, so it adds lasting sweetness. Lactose can be added to lend sweetness to Sweet Stouts and Porters. "

 

[MashStirBrew]

Based on personal experience, which is limited, I would calculate your efficiency at 60% maximum. Unless you are milling your own grains. My first few PM/AG averaged 55% between operator error and poor crush. My barly crusher put me in the mid 70's. So between not having much to sparge with and an uncertian crush I would up your base malt by at least another couple pounds. Worst case scenario if you maxed out your grain bill would be a little higher ABV.

 

[tranceamerica]

thanks everyone. I'll get a hydrometer & learn how to use it & see how this one goes. I'll also bump this w/a pound of DME.

Went to my LHBS last night & bought the grains - I also bought an extra half pound of carapils. Asked for it all to be crushed, and the guy crushed it all together - so this batch is getting an extra half pound of carapils!

he's such a nice guy - so I didn't call him on it - and he has great prices...of course the extra half pound doesn't make a difference, but I had to laugh...

Brewing tonight w/any luck...