First all grain - not bad, but could have been better

[Old_E]

Ok, so I finally did my first AG beer yesteday. I was following Yooper's Dogfishhead 60 recipe, almost to the letter. I was surprised at how well somethings went but there were a couple of problems.

Postive:
- new Rubbermaid 10gal cooler MLT worked perfectly
- hit the mash temp perfectly
- remembered all steps
- first time ever starter worked like a charm (the kreusen this moring was massive... I had to peek)

Negatives:
- when I checked my mash at 60 min. the temp had fallen to 148 (I think this was due to opening and stirring at various intervals... like I thought I was supposed to. I think I might not do that next time.)
-after the boil I whilrpooled, and let the wort settle for 30 min. I racked off. I only got a little over 4 gal. I just siponed until I had 5 gallons... sucking up whatever was in there.
-SG was only 1..45... lower than I had hoped.


While I haven't calculated my efficiency, I plan to, and it seems to be pretty low.

Any thoughts, help, suggestions for next time are appreciated.

 

[JonK331]

Do you batch or fly sparge?

 

[Old_E]

Batch.

Sorry for leaving that out.

Oh another positive.. new wort chiller worked like a charm.

 

[Chuck_Swillery]

What was your grain bill? If you're hitting 70-75% efficiency that's not bad for a first timer. First is usually the one you learn the most from. I know I did. I hit 71% on my first batch and it was a fantastic brew. I'm way over that now and pleased.

What was your starting temp?

For what it's worth - I stir every 20 min. I didn't on my first AG but my efficency went up a bunch after I started doing that, doesn't hurt in my experience. I lost about 8 degrees yesterday during a 90 min mash, in a cold garage (abt 45 deg) and stirring every 20. I off the lid, give it a good stir, then put it all back on - less than 30 sec exposure. You'll loose some heat but so far I've not had a problem keeping workable temps.

That much loss is not uncommon depending on the ingredients. I lost about 1/4 gallon on my last batch which I was pretty happy with but did pull over quite a bit of stuff in the syphon. I would been closer to 1/2 gallon if I'd stopped when some of the junk started getting sucked over. I quit then the majority of the draw was the break.

Sounds like it when well for ya. Congrats. Its a little labor intensive but I've yet to make an extract brew that is as good as what I can make AG.

 

[Old_E]

Grain bill was/is:
13# 2row
.5# of Amber (she called for 6oz, but this was just easier to deal with)


Recipe link: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f69/dogfish-head-60-minute-clone-ag-extract-25709/


I hit 153 degrees, which was exactly what I was aiming for. I was stirring about every 15 minutes. The thing is, it was in the low 80's here in FL.

 

[RedHouse]

I racked off.

Really....right in the middle of brewing beer?

 

[Old_E]

I gotta get mine... Whenever possible.

 

[chiefbrewer]

I am gonna sue you for burning the inside of my nostrils as my coffee sprayed out LOL!!!

 

[slakwhere]

did you preheat the MLT?

 

[rjwhite41]

Temperature came in fine so that's not the problem. Did you crush your own grains or did your LHBS?

 

[starrfish]

Stirring will raise efficency. don't stop that. I usually strike a few degrees high to compensate for my stirs every 15 min. just me. Pre heat tun and you should be fine.

 

[Old_E]

Temperature came in fine so that's not the problem. Did you crush your own grains or did your LHBS?

Did it myself... At the lhbs....with their preset mill that says "do not adjust w/o asking". I didn't ask.

I did preheat the MLT.

Thanks for all the help!