Dancing Rabbit Pale Ale (APA)
Target OG: 1.053
Target FG: 1.009
IBU: 42.7
SRM: 7.3
93% US 2-Row
7% Caramel 40L
Cascade FWH, flavor, aroma, & dry hop
US-05
This is the first in a series of brews to create and refine a house pale ale recipe. I plan to try different character malts (e.g., munich, victory, etc.) and hops (i.e., Centennial, Chinook) to dial in a pale ale tailored to my tastes.
I awoke at 5:30am, grabbed a cup of coffee, and began heating my strike water. The forecast said no rain until this afternoon. More on that later (**foreshadowing**).
This was my first brew using FWH, and I think that REALLY helped avoid a boilover. I also reduced the heat as the wort approached the boil, so that helped as well.
About 10 minutes into the boil, I started hearing thunder. No worries, I have plenty of time before the rain gets here. **more foreshadowing**
With 10 minutes left in the boil, I drop my IC into the kettle to sanitize. I had already been running the hose to fill my ice-water recirculation reservoir (cooler). The hose was off when I dropped my IC, but the water in the IC was enough to stop my boil, so I cranked up the heat. I turned my back on it (I know) for a couple of seconds to do something else, and it boiled over on me. Another boilover lesson learned (hopefully).
This was my first time using my ice-water recirculation setup. Rather than actual ice, I used six HUGE ice packs (these). I used ground-temperature water until I hit ~100 degF, then switched over to my submerged pump in the ice bath. Those ice packs just weren't able to keep up. Next time, I'll buy 20-40 lb of ice. I got it down to ~72 degF, racked to my fermenter, then put it in my fermentation chamber (mini fridge) to cool the rest of the way to pitching temp (64 degF). As I was racking, a couple of raindrops started to fall. This was at 10am: decidedly NOT the afternoon. I moved the operation under my patio umbrella to finish up.
I've stopped rehydrating my dry yeast, and I don't aerate either (both per Fermentis' recommendations). I haven't noticed any ill effects to my beer.
So, now it's happily fermenting. All my (waterproof) equipment is still outside in the rain. Maybe that will help with cleanup.
Now my reflections:
1) My mash water temperature targets are off. I've been targeting 15 degF above target, to allow for 3 degF into my MLT, and 12 degF into the grain. My initial mash temperature was high by ~5 degF, so I'm going to try 10 degF above target next time, and see where that gets me.
2) The iodine test showed full conversion at 45 minutes. I'll probably keep using the iodine test for the next few brews, but if I get similar results, I'll likely cut out the iodine test and just mash for 60 minutes. I'm constantly looking for ways to simplify the brew day, and I'll cut anything that doesn't appear to provide any benefit.
3) I used yeast nutrient, because I have it. Once I run out, I'll probably try a few brews without. I doubt I'll see a difference.
4) I'm a batch sparger. I collect first runnings, add sparge water, let it rest for ~10 minutes, collect second runnings, then fire the kettle. Does anyone out there fire the kettle as soon as the first runnings are collected. That might save at least 10 minutes on the brew day.
5) How do you collect your pre-boil gravity reading when using FWH? Will the hops affect the gravity reading?
6) If the bagged ice ends up working better than the ice packs, I think I'm going to regret not shelling out for the Jaded Hydra.
7) I have an 8-gallon kettle. I ALREADY wish I'd shelled out for at least 10 gallons.
8) I got a 76% brewhouse efficiency! I'm thrilled about that. I'd been averaging 64%. I'm not sure what would have made such a difference. I adjusted my sparge water pH to match my mash pH. That's the only thing that I can think that I did differently, but I don't think that would have made a huge difference (if any). I don't own a grain mill; I'm beholden to whatever Atlantic Brew Supply has their gap set to. Maybe it was a finer grind this time? A mill is definitely on my Christmas list.
Target OG: 1.053
Target FG: 1.009
IBU: 42.7
SRM: 7.3
93% US 2-Row
7% Caramel 40L
Cascade FWH, flavor, aroma, & dry hop
US-05
This is the first in a series of brews to create and refine a house pale ale recipe. I plan to try different character malts (e.g., munich, victory, etc.) and hops (i.e., Centennial, Chinook) to dial in a pale ale tailored to my tastes.
I awoke at 5:30am, grabbed a cup of coffee, and began heating my strike water. The forecast said no rain until this afternoon. More on that later (**foreshadowing**).
This was my first brew using FWH, and I think that REALLY helped avoid a boilover. I also reduced the heat as the wort approached the boil, so that helped as well.
About 10 minutes into the boil, I started hearing thunder. No worries, I have plenty of time before the rain gets here. **more foreshadowing**
With 10 minutes left in the boil, I drop my IC into the kettle to sanitize. I had already been running the hose to fill my ice-water recirculation reservoir (cooler). The hose was off when I dropped my IC, but the water in the IC was enough to stop my boil, so I cranked up the heat. I turned my back on it (I know) for a couple of seconds to do something else, and it boiled over on me. Another boilover lesson learned (hopefully).
This was my first time using my ice-water recirculation setup. Rather than actual ice, I used six HUGE ice packs (these). I used ground-temperature water until I hit ~100 degF, then switched over to my submerged pump in the ice bath. Those ice packs just weren't able to keep up. Next time, I'll buy 20-40 lb of ice. I got it down to ~72 degF, racked to my fermenter, then put it in my fermentation chamber (mini fridge) to cool the rest of the way to pitching temp (64 degF). As I was racking, a couple of raindrops started to fall. This was at 10am: decidedly NOT the afternoon. I moved the operation under my patio umbrella to finish up.
I've stopped rehydrating my dry yeast, and I don't aerate either (both per Fermentis' recommendations). I haven't noticed any ill effects to my beer.
So, now it's happily fermenting. All my (waterproof) equipment is still outside in the rain. Maybe that will help with cleanup.
Now my reflections:
1) My mash water temperature targets are off. I've been targeting 15 degF above target, to allow for 3 degF into my MLT, and 12 degF into the grain. My initial mash temperature was high by ~5 degF, so I'm going to try 10 degF above target next time, and see where that gets me.
2) The iodine test showed full conversion at 45 minutes. I'll probably keep using the iodine test for the next few brews, but if I get similar results, I'll likely cut out the iodine test and just mash for 60 minutes. I'm constantly looking for ways to simplify the brew day, and I'll cut anything that doesn't appear to provide any benefit.
3) I used yeast nutrient, because I have it. Once I run out, I'll probably try a few brews without. I doubt I'll see a difference.
4) I'm a batch sparger. I collect first runnings, add sparge water, let it rest for ~10 minutes, collect second runnings, then fire the kettle. Does anyone out there fire the kettle as soon as the first runnings are collected. That might save at least 10 minutes on the brew day.
5) How do you collect your pre-boil gravity reading when using FWH? Will the hops affect the gravity reading?
6) If the bagged ice ends up working better than the ice packs, I think I'm going to regret not shelling out for the Jaded Hydra.
7) I have an 8-gallon kettle. I ALREADY wish I'd shelled out for at least 10 gallons.
8) I got a 76% brewhouse efficiency! I'm thrilled about that. I'd been averaging 64%. I'm not sure what would have made such a difference. I adjusted my sparge water pH to match my mash pH. That's the only thing that I can think that I did differently, but I don't think that would have made a huge difference (if any). I don't own a grain mill; I'm beholden to whatever Atlantic Brew Supply has their gap set to. Maybe it was a finer grind this time? A mill is definitely on my Christmas list.
It reads like it went quite well!
