First AG not going well

[GRHunter]

As I type I am 4 1/2 hours into creating my wort. Lots of dumb miscalculationsand poor use of time. But I wound up 1 1/2 gallons over my starting boil volume so now I am sitting here waiting for 1 1/2 gallons to boil off. Thank goodness I have a brain numbing amount of beer on hand to help pass the time.

 

[Grizzlybrew]

I can't offer much help on the brew day at this point, but I do like your signature!

 

[GRHunter]

That has to be a record, 8 hours to brew a 5 gallon batch of beer. I can't say that I am on fire to try another AG brew again either. Oh well, maybe after a good nights sleep I might have a little more ambition to try it again.

 

[pjk49202]

LOL! Man, my first and second batches were anything but typical. Just give it some time and think back to where you went wrong and try to correct it next time.

 

[DavidHawman]

My first AG was today as well and my efficiency was atrocious (~50%). Beer is happily bubbling away and I will drink it anyways though. Chalk it up as a learning experience.

 

[GRHunter]

My mash efficiency was pretty good, according to Beer Smith it was 79.66%. It was my brewer efficiency that sucked.

 

[david_42]

That has to be a record, 8 hours to brew a 5 gallon batch of beer.

Maybe, not counting decoction mashes. You shouldn't have any trouble knocking a couple hours off next time.

 

[kyleobie]

I hear ya, dude. In my first AG I didn't account for any loss of mash/sparge water due to grain absorption - and I ended up with 3.5 gallons at bottling time instead of 5. In my second, I made a wheat beer and got a stuck sparge that took hours to work through. I'm feeling good about my process for next time, though.

I bet you made a kickass beer, though!

 

[Homercidal]

I've done 8 hours. With clean up and whatnot. Just consider it more quality time with your beer!

It gets better. I still make stupid mistakes and have had 4 hours brew days and 6+ hour brew days. Just never know. Preparation is key.