jfwayBrews
Member
Been doing the BIAB for a few years now, but just kind of winged it making up recipes and not really calculating target numbers and so on.
Last several batches, I’ve been using www.brewersfriend.com to calculate my target OG and FG. Every batch I’ve done doing this my numbers are much lower.
I’m still making great beers but got me thinking what I’m doing wrong.
For example, last completed batch I did was 12.5# 2-Row, 1# Cara 20, and .5# Dextrose corn sugar. Calculation was target OG 1.072 and FG 1.017 for 7.2% ABV.
Using a hydrometer, I ended up with OG 1.050, FG 1.002 for 6.3% ABV.
I’ve tested the hydrometer with distilled water and it’s off by 4 points, so I’ve adjusted both readings for that.
I just bought a Brix reader, and batch that is fermenting now was a target OG of 1.060, but I got 1.050 (12.5 brix).
Here is my process. Heat 7.5 gallons to 164 degrees. Drop in all my grains in the bag and stir to get the clumps out. Steep for 60 minutes.
I’ll stir 1-2 more times. This usually ends the temp at 152 after the 60 min. Occasionally, I’ll need to heat on low for 5 minutes to get the heat back up.
After the mash, I squeeze/drain the bag and am left with about 6.2 gallons to boil and add the hops.
Ending wort is always right around 5 gallons.
I’ve never complained about this because for years, my beers have always been right on for taste and the right amount of alcohol, but now that I’m tracking numbers, wondered if my batches could be more efficient.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Last several batches, I’ve been using www.brewersfriend.com to calculate my target OG and FG. Every batch I’ve done doing this my numbers are much lower.
I’m still making great beers but got me thinking what I’m doing wrong.
For example, last completed batch I did was 12.5# 2-Row, 1# Cara 20, and .5# Dextrose corn sugar. Calculation was target OG 1.072 and FG 1.017 for 7.2% ABV.
Using a hydrometer, I ended up with OG 1.050, FG 1.002 for 6.3% ABV.
I’ve tested the hydrometer with distilled water and it’s off by 4 points, so I’ve adjusted both readings for that.
I just bought a Brix reader, and batch that is fermenting now was a target OG of 1.060, but I got 1.050 (12.5 brix).
Here is my process. Heat 7.5 gallons to 164 degrees. Drop in all my grains in the bag and stir to get the clumps out. Steep for 60 minutes.
I’ll stir 1-2 more times. This usually ends the temp at 152 after the 60 min. Occasionally, I’ll need to heat on low for 5 minutes to get the heat back up.
After the mash, I squeeze/drain the bag and am left with about 6.2 gallons to boil and add the hops.
Ending wort is always right around 5 gallons.
I’ve never complained about this because for years, my beers have always been right on for taste and the right amount of alcohol, but now that I’m tracking numbers, wondered if my batches could be more efficient.
Any advice would be appreciated.