First brew - NB cream ale - overshot OG

[david0161]

Hello everyone,

I brewed my first batch tonight and it appears that I overshot my OG. This was an extract kit with specialty grains which I put them in while heating up 20 minutes or until 170 is what the directions said. I pulled the grains at 168 and went to a boil, 60 minute boil and added the hops at the start. I may have done a few things wrong after but I'm not sure...I added 2 gallons to the carboy and then added wort and topped off. I shook it like hell to aerate before pitching and taking the hydrometer reading. I had tons of foam from the star san when I took my sample. Dumb me at first decided to sanatize the hydrometer and test tube...no idea why so had some foam to begin with. I took multiple readings and always ended up at 1.046 at 70 degrees so 1.047. The OG is stated at 1.040 for this recipie. I went ahead and pitched anyway...am I ok or any recommendations?

 

[david0161]

Also, it is a good possibility that I poured more break material from the kettle than I should have. During the ice bath it never really settled to the bottom...the pot was kind of floating, not sure if this has an impact or not

 

[peachwein]

You are ok regardless of whether you hit it on the mark or not... Not to mention, with an extract kit its near impossible to be off my much, especially if you followed the instructions. Are you sure there were no bubbles on your hydrometer? because it could have been suspended on bubbles, which would give you the illusion of a higher OG...

 

[Captain Damage]

It's hard to get an accurate OG reading from a partial boil. After topping off you really have to shake the s#!t out of it, take your sample and then wait a good half hour or more for any particulates sink out and bubbles to float out. But as Peachwein says, it's near impossible to be very far off when you're using extract.

 

[david0161]

Thanks for the replies. There very well could have been a few bubbles from the star san. The hydrometer kept sticking to the side of the test tube but when it didn't I ended up at the same OG on multiple readings. I'm glad to hear that being a little off isn't a big deal at all with the partial boil. Thanks!

 

[Fuzzywumpers]

You should be good. I've made that NB Cream Ale before and a little extra kick would only make it a little better. Just make sure you brew another batch of it ASAP. You'll thank me when this batch runs out.

 

[david0161]

Thanks Fuzzy, quick question for you...do you remember the cream ale turning out darker than it should have? I believe looking at NB's promash analysis it should be around 5 SRM but my batch is a very deep brown. I can tell it's getting lighter but golden in no way.

 

[RugenBrau]

It will be darker. Mine always has. If you punch it into Beersmith it comes up darker. I've tried the late addition and it still comes up darker. No need to worry it still a great ale. It really isn't a true modern cream ale....no corn and to dark. I,ve read where pre prohibition style cream ales were dark. As I said....the argument is mute....It taste great. I'm making a batch today. The only thing I didn't like about that ale was I think the IBU rating was a little high.(characteristic of older stle cream ales) I'm not a hophead. I cut back on the amount that I add.

 

[Fuzzywumpers]

Thanks Fuzzy, quick question for you...do you remember the cream ale turning out darker than it should have? I believe looking at NB's promash analysis it should be around 5 SRM but my batch is a very deep brown. I can tell it's getting lighter but golden in no way.

No. Mine usually turns out a deep goldish color. I have only done all-grain though. Mine is darker than the picture on NB, but not brown.

 

[eppo]

Mine turned out a nice deep gold also. i did the partial mash with late extract addition.

 

[barhoc11]

Mine is also darker than I thought it would be with more sediment in it that I would have liked. If I like this kit I will secondary next time to clear it up.

 

[daniel4616]

This was my first batch as well. I forgot to take my OG reading, but it turned out great. It looked a little darker in the carboy, but after it was bottle conditioned, and I poured it into a glass, it looked great. Had come chill haze but was pretty clear for first batch. Also, I had some sediment floating on the top of mine as well. Just try to not take any of it when racking to bottling bucket. Thats what I did and worked fine. Good beer for a first time brewer. Enjoy

 

[jamesjensen1068]

NB Cream Ale is a favorite of mine....and it's the most well received beer I've brewed by friends and family. The only problem is it disappears too quickly. Yes..brew another batch as soon as possible.

Cheers

 

[david0161]

I must comment on the color of this brew again, it was a deep redish color when done fermenting in the carboy but when bottling it was a golden straw color just as it should be. All that liquid in the carboy really makes for a color change. I'm glad it it turned out like it should, now only to wait for carbonation

 

[BWN]

When I brewed this kit I got the same OG as you 1.046 @70 degrees. Maybe it is a flaw in there instructions.

 

[balzern]

You should be good. I am sometimes a bit off with my OG with extract kits NBD. You are in for a treat with the cream ale. It was loved by everyone that had one of mine congrats

 

[marx102]

My wife and I brewed this same kit on Sunday. As it sat in a ice water bath there seemed to appear some sort of floating particles in the center. It was if it hadn't settled. So when I poured the wort into the fermenter the matter went as well. My wife was worried that we were dumping the sludge into the fermenter but i figured better to see what happens then just dump the wort down the drain. I assume everything will end up settling and come bottling time the beer may just be a little cloudier than normal.
Anyone else have a similar experience with this kit.

 

[mr_bell]

You've done forced me to pull out my notes, thought I didn't keep as good of notes as I do now. I brewed this 2 years ago. My OG was 1044 @ 65 deg. I did not do a late extract addition. I reduced the hops from 1 oz to .7 oz, though I'm not sure why--this gave me 14.4 IBU vs. 20.5 if the entire oz was added (as calc'd by beersmith). I have no significant tasting notes, though I remember it being enjoyable, and well received by friends. The only real taste note I have is that it seemed ever so slightly sweet/unbalanced, so perhaps I shouldn't have reduced the hops.

Maybe it's time to try it again!

 

[david0161]

Marx - I dumped everything into the fermenter as well and looks as if it settled out just fine, granted it was in the primary for a month. Poured a half way filled bottle into a glass at bottling and it appeared to be just as clear as my friends apple wine that has been racked multiple times and bottled at the same time I did the same on my second brew and appears to be clearing up just the same

Also, thanks for the brew notes! I kept telling myself not to worry but I guess the first brew got the best of me

 

[marx102]

David, I didnt actually pour everything into the fermenter. There was some of the sludge in the bottom of the pot. Your reply gives me hope.