Issue with 2nd all-grain batch

[nmcjudo]

I brewed an Irish Red yesterday (Saturday). I'm pretty sure I know what I did wrong. I mashed in 3.3 gallons and then rinsed with 1.7 gallons. I was supposed to rinse with an extra 1.25 gallons, but I did not. I instead added the difference with clean water before I boiled to reach 6.25 gallons. My starting gravity after boil was estimated to be 1.052 but instead was 1.032. It is in the primary and I have some great activity in the airlock. However, if I were to be on point with my final gravity of 1.014, my abv would only be around 2.3%. Is there anything simple that I can do to fix this? Also, what are the chances that this brew will taste badly?

 

[RugenBrau]

I'm not sure of your whole process here so let me ask a few questions.

1. Did you account for your temperature correction when figuring your gravity?


2. Are you sure your hydrometer is correct? Did you calibrate it?

 

[nmcjudo]

My hydrometer was correct measuring clean water at 1.000. As for temps, I mashed in at around 155-160 F. I did not do any calculations concerning this. My boil temp was consistent with around 220 F

 

[Golddiggie]

If you topped off the boil with the extra water, then you didn't get anything more from the grain, accounting for the OG reduction.

Only way to 'fix' this is to add more wort, that's stronger, to increase the total gravity. To make up 20 gravity points is going to take a decent amount of DME (is this a 5 gallon batch?). You could be better off just letting it process as it will, and chock it up as a "lesson learned"...

 

[bottlebomber]

So let me get this straight... instead of sparging, you just topped off your wort to the 6.25 gallon mark? Your beer wont taste badly, but it will be somewhat lawnmower-ish. I would imagine it would finish a lot drier than 1.014 as well

 

[Golddiggie]

You might get a lot of 'bud lite' drinkers flocking to you over the batch... Chances are, even if you do nothing else to the batch, giving it the right amount of time, it will still be good to drink. Better than you can purchase in a store (most likely)... It will be more hoppy than the original recipe would have indicated, which could be a good thing (it all depends on what you like, and how it turns out)...

 

[nmcjudo]

If you topped off the boil with the extra water, then you didn't get anything more from the grain, accounting for the OG reduction.

Only way to 'fix' this is to add more wort, that's stronger, to increase the total gravity. To make up 20 gravity points is going to take a decent amount of DME (is this a 5 gallon batch?). You could be better off just letting it process as it will, and chock it up as a "lesson learned"...

As expected.

During the process I kept thinking I was doing something wrong. My first batch was an IPA which turned out great and was easily consumable. I'll let it ferment for now and see what happens. Thank you for the quick response. Back to AHS to purchase another Irish Red. Any suggestions? BTW, this recipe was the AHS Anniversary Irish Red (5 gallon).

 

[Golddiggie]

I only used kits for my first three batches, then I started making my own. Even the first three I modified to fit my thoughts/desires. I'm now 17 batches in, formulating all my own recipes... BTW, batch #4 was a partial mash, after that I've been all grain... :rockin:

I would just look at their list and see what looks good (flavors) and isn't beyond your comfort level for process. You ALWAYS have the option of altering the recipe on a kit. Or look at some of the recipes from the database and brew one of those..

 

[nmcjudo]

I only used kits for my first three batches, then I started making my own. Even the first three I modified to fit my thoughts/desires. I'm now 17 batches in, formulating all my own recipes... BTW, batch #4 was a partial mash, after that I've been all grain... :rockin:

I would just look at their list and see what looks good (flavors) and isn't beyond your comfort level for process. You ALWAYS have the option of altering the recipe on a kit. Or look at some of the recipes from the database and brew one of those..

I altered the hops a bit for my first recipe, adding more for bitterness. I also added some fresh rye to this Irish Red which I picked from my own personal property. I'm looking forward to creating my own recipes, but I figured kits were the way to go. Obviously I am not perfect with the process yet, haha

 

[Golddiggie]

Brew day sheets really help keep things on track... I print them from Beer Smith before heading over to my brew buddy's place. Plus I bring either my laptop or tablet over, which also have BeerSmith installed, so that I can update the recipe per mash tun and grain temps. I can also update the recipe if needed to reflect what ends up going in.

Depending on where your focus is, you'll eventually nail the process as it works best for you. Just don't get frustrated by it and you'll be fine. Just remember, there's a 99.995% chance even if you mess things up, you'll end up with something far better than you could normally purchase in a store.