I'm not new to homebrewing. I've been doing it for 5 years. But until recently I've only been doing it as a very passive hobby when I'm bored and not really concerned about having GREAT beer. In the last few months that has changed. I've started realizing how much time is wasted if you're not creating incredible beers. That being said, I'm fine-tuning my process with the hope that by the first of the year I have the knowledge and equipment I need to make incredible beer. I don't have just one question; I have lots. My hope is that you all will stick with me on this thread and help me out as I go!
As a basis for all of my questions, I generally do partial mash brewing as I dont want all the equipment for all-grain. I do 5 gallon batches with the exception of a few 3 gallon batches in case I want to brew again sooner and need the bottles. I boil in an 7.5 gallon anvil kettle, ferment in a big mouth bubbler, and bottle. I'm not a kegging guy.
OK, first off... I've been curious about the process of adding water after the boil to top up to the OG the recipe calls for. On my last 5 gallon batch I started with a 5.5 gallon boil figuring I'd boil off to under 5 gallons and have to top up with water to hit my OG. The issue was that I boiled off 1.5 gallons and had to add a gallon of water to hit OG. Do you ever find that adding a lot of water that wasn't in your boil to begin with has a negative effect on your finished beer? Should I be trying to boil down to a more precise volume? Would that help? Ok GO: (and thank you in advance as I have lots more questions.)
As a basis for all of my questions, I generally do partial mash brewing as I dont want all the equipment for all-grain. I do 5 gallon batches with the exception of a few 3 gallon batches in case I want to brew again sooner and need the bottles. I boil in an 7.5 gallon anvil kettle, ferment in a big mouth bubbler, and bottle. I'm not a kegging guy.
OK, first off... I've been curious about the process of adding water after the boil to top up to the OG the recipe calls for. On my last 5 gallon batch I started with a 5.5 gallon boil figuring I'd boil off to under 5 gallons and have to top up with water to hit my OG. The issue was that I boiled off 1.5 gallons and had to add a gallon of water to hit OG. Do you ever find that adding a lot of water that wasn't in your boil to begin with has a negative effect on your finished beer? Should I be trying to boil down to a more precise volume? Would that help? Ok GO: (and thank you in advance as I have lots more questions.)