First AG success!

[Olddog]

It's amazing what a proper thermometer can do!

Today I brewed BarleyWater's Dark Chocolate Stout and everything worked out fine. I also discovered that the thermometer I had been using is at 10-15 degrees off (cheap dial thermometer).

I upped the grain bill expecting to have low efficiency but I think I over did it and my OG is a little high (1.065) after I put in the lactose and the cocoa.

Just waiting for it to start fermenting!

 

[Marsdude]

Congrats on your success. I am planing my first AG brew for later this week.

My health inspector showed me how to calibrate a dial thermometer. You place the probe in a container of ice water. Put in as much ice as possible. After a few minutes you can turn the indicator arrow to "32" if it doesn't read that already by using a small wrench on the hexagon fitting behind the dial.

I hope your beer tastes great!