First All Grain

[Philip1993]

I just finished brewing my first all grain last night, and I though I'd share my recipe/thoughts/experiences. This is kind of a stream of consciousness post so if it doesn't make sense, HAHB and re-read.

- AG is so much cheaper than extract or PM. ~$20/5 gal.
- All grain takes about 2 hrs longer, but is *no harder* than extract
or partial mash.
- Mash out and sparging is much slower than I expected.
- Grain kept much more water than I expected (1 gal) - Final Vol 3.75gal
- 5gal cooler works for 11# of grain. Perhaps as much as 14#
- Wow! that's a lot of hot/cold break. Should have socked the I.C.
- Man that wort is a lot clearer than extract or PM.
- Brewsmith is GREAT! I should have bought brewsmith BEFORE first AG.

Now, one question: When yields are low, should I sparge a 3rd time with fresh water or just top off the kettle?

As always, Your comments and thoughts are welcome.

Pasted from BrewSmith

Arctic Red - Irish Red Ale

Type: All Grain
Date: 3/4/2008
Batch Size: 5.00 gal
Brewer: pldoolittle
Boil Size: 6.00 gal Asst Brewer:
Boil Time: 60 min Equipment: Brew Pot (6+gal) and Igloo/Gott Cooler (5 Gal)

Ingredients
Amount Item Type % or IBU
8.00 lb Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) Grain 71.94 %
1.56 lb Munich Malt (9.0 SRM) Grain 14.03 %
1.50 lb Caramel/Crystal Malt - 10L (10.0 SRM) Grain 13.49 %
0.06 lb Black (Patent) Malt (500.0 SRM) Grain 0.54 %
0.50 oz Cascade [6.60 %] (60 min) Hops 11.7 IBU
1.00 oz Centennial [9.10 %] (60 min) Hops 32.2 IBU
0.50 oz Cascade [6.60 %] (5 min) (Aroma Hop-Steep) Hops -
5.50 gal Atlanta, GA Water
1 Pkgs Northwest Ale (Wyeast Labs #1332) [Starter 1000 ml] [Cultured] Yeast-Ale



Beer Profile
Est Original Gravity: 1.054 SG
Measured Original Gravity: 1.049 SG
Est Final Gravity: 1.016 SG Measured Final Gravity: 1.008 SG
Estimated Alcohol by Vol: 4.92 % Actual Alcohol by Vol: 5.34 %
Bitterness: 43.8 IBU Calories: 214 cal/pint
Est Color: 9.6 SRM Color: Color


Mash Profile
Mash Name: My Mash Total Grain Weight: 11.12 lb
Sparge Water: 4.33 gal Grain Temperature: 72.0 F
Sparge Temperature: 174.0 F TunTemperature: 72.0 F
Adjust Temp for Equipment: FALSE Mash PH: 5.4 PH

My Mash Step Time Name Description Step Temp
60 min Step Add 13.00 qt of water at 170 F Hold Temp 158.0 F

 

[Philip1993]

No comments? Do I need to take a shower? take a breath mint?

 

[Blender]

No comments? Do I need to take a shower? take a breath mint?

I would have done an additional sparge. I don't like to be short.You will learn what your boil off rate is and then can adjust your water volumes and grain bill efficiency to get your desired OG. It took me 2 or 3 times to deterrmine how my system worked. My grain sucks up about .14 gallons per pound. I make 5.5 gallon batches in order to get a clear 5 gallons after transfering. All grain is a great way to do that.

What were you surprised at concerning mashout or sparging?

 

[Bearcat Brewmeister]

Now, one question: When yields are low, should I sparge a 3rd time with fresh water or just top off the kettle?

As always, Your comments and thoughts are welcome.

Until you get your system dialed in, I would measure the SG of your runnings. The SG of your final runnings from the tun should be about 1.010. If it is much higher, you are leaving behind too much sugar and either are short on wort (like you were this time) or if you got the right amount of wort you are getting higher efficiency than you expected and can buy less grain next time.

If you don't mind another recommendation, I would always keep some DME on hand in the event you got poor efficiency and missed your SG to low.

 

[Philip1993]

If you don't mind another recommendation

Never. All comments are always welcome!

What were you surprised at concerning mashout or sparging?

Mostly how much water was absorbed. And how long mashout and sparging took (about 20 min each)