Hello Again,
Well, my friend Chris and I finally got to brew our Paulaner clone this past weekend. Since I was a little chicken to use a full double decoction we used a infusion to sacc from protein and decoction to mash out. I am glad we did that because we missed out mash out temperature.
Anyway, here is a brief on how it went. We started out with almost 11lb grains comprised of German Wheat malt (6lb), German Pils (4lb), Munich (3/4 lb), Caramunich (2oz) and Carafa II (1oz). We did the protein rest at 127degF for 20min with 1.25qtr/lb. I did a PH test at the protein rest and the reading was 5.42. After 20min we infused 212degF water to raise the mash to 153degF for 45min which brought it to 1.8qtr/lb. We hit that temperature exactly. Unfortunately I didn’t do a PH test at Sacc rest, which I should have because I think the PH might have been a little higher. Next time I will do a second PH test and adjust if necessary or simply decoct from protein to sacc rest.
After 45min of Sacc rest, we decocted approx. 29% of mainly liquid from the mast and brought it slowly to a boil while constantly stiring. I have to admit, it smelled really good after a 15min boil. We kept the mash tun shut to maintain the original 153defF temperature. Unfortunately, when we put the decocted amount back into the mash, it only raised the temperature of the mash to 162degF. We missed our 170degF target by 8degF. We certainly need to make an adjustment on the amount decocted in the future. I am sure glad we decocted for Mash out instead of the Sacc rest and found out we would be short. At least the mash out is somewhat optional and I think we should be OK.
So...I am wondering where I went wrong to miss our mash out temp by 8degF. Obviously I didn’t pull enough from the mash. I used the decoction formula of:
t_target - t_start
----------------------
t_boil - t_start
170-153/212-153 = 17/59 = 28.81%
So if I had to pull out more than 29% this formula is not indicating that. Is there some constant that I was missing?
The wort is fermenting vigorously but it is a little darker than anticipated. It seems that it will finish closer to a Dunkle. My guess it is from the Carafa II or Caramunich. I might cut down a little on those next time.
I hope I gave enough detail above. Any suggestions on how I missed that mash out mark would be greatly appreciated.
Trip