Finally pop my AG cherry

[balto charlie]

Thanks for all of the AG advice over the last year. You guys have made the transition to AG relatively easy. I made a Amber Ale. I only had 3 minor problems.
1)incorrectly measured my mash water so had to boil an extra 30 minutes and finished with a little more beer than expected(6gallons vs. 5.5) so gravity was low. Was: 1.044, instead of 1.049. I figured efficiency to be 72% (w/ a corona grain) mill. Brewsmith rocks

2)Whole hops slowed the auto siphon to the carboy but it still worked (still working on getting my kegs welded). I might put a hop bag over my auto siphon next time.
3)Dealing with 8+ gallons of water was quite an experience. That’s a boatload of water. Need a second propane burner and tank, carrying water from kitchen to outside sucks.

Batch AG #2 should go down this weekend. I am making a brown ale w/ my cultured yeast and homegrown hops. Total cost is going to be $10.38 for 5 gallons….finally paying off. Thanks a lot, stop by for a cold one sometime, Charlie

 

[Jaybird]

Ahhhhh!!!! Welcome to the DARK SIDE
Congrats on the AG. Your going to love the process.
Cheers
JJ

 

[DaleJ]

Congratulations!!

 

[Saccharomyces]

3)Dealing with 8+ gallons of water was quite an experience. That’s a boatload of water. Need a second propane burner and tank, carrying water from kitchen to outside sucks.

I keep saying that. 15 batches later I still carry the water out to the garage. Eventually I'll break down and get a bigger brew pot, so I can use my current pot as a HLT, but then I'll want a second burner, yadda yadda....

 

[jmulligan]

Congrats, man! It's an awesome feeling, is it not?

 

[Warped04]

Eventually I'll break down and get a bigger brew pot, so I can use my current pot as a HLT, but then I'll want a second burner, yadda yadda....

The never ending equipment collection always continues.

 

[balto charlie]

It is a great feeling. Equipment purchases continue, (just ordered) 4 more kegs!! Once I have my keggles and 2nd burner, oh yeah another propane tank I'll be complete....wait a minute I'll need a brewstand..then some pumps then....a divorce lawyer...then I can really start buying:rockin:

 

[Kauai_Kahuna]

You could look in getting an RV hose to push the water out, but then that would stop you from buying another burner, larger pot, and going for 10 gallon batches.
Yep, go with that.

 

[GolgiApparatus]

3)Dealing with 8+ gallons of water was quite an experience. That’s a boatload of water. Need a second propane burner and tank, carrying water from kitchen to outside sucks.

Larry Bell's number one rule of homebrewing:

Beer is heavy.

 

[balto charlie]

Just thought I would report back on my 1st 2 attempts at AG. Even though I missed on OG a bit, boiled off too much wort(added at the keg), I was stunned at the flavors(and price).
Amber Ale was medium body, smooth with a medium hop flavor
Nut brown: light-medium body, but malty, and a very light sweetness at the end. Really delicious
Both beers have no bad after taste, and sparkling clean as I used gelatin at secondary.
Again thanks...next adventure...double decoction

Thanks for all of the AG advice over the last year. You guys have made the transition to AG relatively easy. I made a Amber Ale. I only had 3 minor problems.
1)incorrectly measured my mash water so had to boil an extra 30 minutes and finished with a little more beer than expected(6gallons vs. 5.5) so gravity was low. Was: 1.044, instead of 1.049. I figured efficiency to be 72% (w/ a corona grain) mill. Brewsmith rocks

2)Whole hops slowed the auto siphon to the carboy but it still worked (still working on getting my kegs welded). I might put a hop bag over my auto siphon next time.
3)Dealing with 8+ gallons of water was quite an experience. That’s a boatload of water. Need a second propane burner and tank, carrying water from kitchen to outside sucks.

Batch AG #2 should go down this weekend. I am making a brown ale w/ my cultured yeast and homegrown hops. Total cost is going to be $10.38 for 5 gallons….finally paying off. Thanks a lot, stop by for a cold one sometime, Charlie