dmcmillen
Well-Known Member
I just did my first brew of a Munich Helles (5.5 gal) checking pH with a new Milwaukee MW102 pH meter. I calibrated the meter per instructions the day before brewing with no problems. Mash & Sparge water treatment per Bru'n Water predicted 5.4 mash. At 12 min pH=5.44, 30 min 5.58, 40 min 5.55, 60 min 5.6. At the 60 minute mark I added .2 ml Lactic Acid (my .1 mash pre-calculated adjustment), re-circulated and stirred the mash and re-measured and now measured >6. For measurements I strained out any grain pieces.
The Helles has now been in primary for a week and measures 4.25 which I think is a little low. My understanding is that Ale should be 4.0 - 4.5 and Lager 4.4 - 4.7.
No other problems on brew day other that gravity being a little high due to more than anticipated boil off for 90 min boil.
Could this have anything to do with the fact that I have .69 gal underlet volume under the false bottom which tends to dilute the mash volume. For this brew my calculated mash water was 3.41 gals for the grain (1.3) + .69 underlet volume = 4.10 gals (amt fed to Bru'n Water). I typically only recirc that water thru the grain if I am applying heat. Prior to this I was brewing 11 gal batches for which the underlet volume is a very small percentage compared to a 5 gal batch.
Since this is my first time checking pH I would appreciate some thoughts here. Is this a possible problem? Normal?
The Helles has now been in primary for a week and measures 4.25 which I think is a little low. My understanding is that Ale should be 4.0 - 4.5 and Lager 4.4 - 4.7.
No other problems on brew day other that gravity being a little high due to more than anticipated boil off for 90 min boil.
Could this have anything to do with the fact that I have .69 gal underlet volume under the false bottom which tends to dilute the mash volume. For this brew my calculated mash water was 3.41 gals for the grain (1.3) + .69 underlet volume = 4.10 gals (amt fed to Bru'n Water). I typically only recirc that water thru the grain if I am applying heat. Prior to this I was brewing 11 gal batches for which the underlet volume is a very small percentage compared to a 5 gal batch.
Since this is my first time checking pH I would appreciate some thoughts here. Is this a possible problem? Normal?