Take a look at my first brew in primary

[cweston]

Sorry, should have mentioned batch size. It was indeed 5 gallons. My hydrometer measured 1.064 at 76º, corrected that should be 1.066. I spun the hydrometer in my thief to make sure I had no bubbles, and to make sure it wasn't sticking to the side of the thief. The reading was taken after I topped up with water (partial boil).

I don't know what else to tell you, other than this was my first hydrometer reading with wort, and I had tested it in 60º water, it read a perfect 1.000

Kevin

Herein lies the reason that many here distrust hydrometers. From the proportions of ingrediants you described, it's really not possible to get an OG of 1.066 in a 5 gallon batch. It is possible that your top off water wasn't well-mixed with your wort and you somehow got a denser sample than the overall finished product.

If that's true, it's no worry, because the action of fermentation would more than adequately mix the wort.

I've often gotten puzzling hydrometer readings at pitching time, but usually a little low ratehr than high, which I assume is because the top-off water was not well-enough integrated.

 

[Walker]

Sorry, should have mentioned batch size. It was indeed 5 gallons. My hydrometer measured 1.064 at 76º, corrected that should be 1.066. I spun the hydrometer in my thief to make sure I had no bubbles, and to make sure it wasn't sticking to the side of the thief. The reading was taken after I topped up with water (partial boil).

Did you stir the wort very well after topping it off with water to evenly mix in the water? If not, your sample might not be representative of the actual batch. (Someone on here recently made this same mistake, and their 1.053 estimated recipe was measured at 1.090!)

I don't know what to tell you about it either.

If your reading was correct, you are in the 6.5% range.

If the reading was not correct and 1.055 is more accurate, you are in the 5.5% range.

-walker

 

[homebrewer_99]

I (almost) always stir in my top off water and wait 5 mins then stir again before taking any measurements.

 

[Kevin K]

I did not stir, as I can't fit my spoon into the carboy. I did pour my water into the carboy quite vigorously though (through a funnel). Would 2 gallons of water not be enough to stir up the wort? If not, that explains things.

 

[Kevin K]

Here's the recipe I followed (wasn't provided with a recipe, but I plugged it into the recipator). What makes this a cream ale as opposed to a regular ale? No lactose or other sugars in here...have I been duped into thinking an ale is a cream ale?

Here are the details on the Honey Malt -

Honey malt: Honey malt is the company's best description for the unique European malt known as brumalt. Its intense malt sweetness makes it perfect for any specialty beer. It has a color profile of 20-30 °L and is devoid of astringent roast flavors.

http://www.brewingtechniques.com/bmg/gambrinus.html

 

[Walker]

when I see "cream" in the name, I generally think of lactose or corn, but (as far as I know) 'cream ale' is not officially a real style so I guess there can't really be an official guideline.

edit:
I stand corrected. I found BJC's description of the style:
http://www.bjcp.org/styles04/Category6.html#style6A

-walker

 

[homebrewer_99]

Here's the recipe I followed (wasn't provided with a recipe, but I plugged it into the recipator). What makes this a cream ale as opposed to a regular ale? No lactose or other sugars in here...have I been duped into thinking an ale is a cream ale?

Here are the details on the Honey Malt -
http://www.brewingtechniques.com/bmg/gambrinus.htmlhttp://www.brewingtechniques.com/bmg/gambrinus.html

How did you get the Recipator format to stay that way when you posted it?

 

[Kevin K]

I hit print screen when viewing the recipe. I then opened my image editing software (infranview) and pasted the image in, cropped it, saved it, uploaded it to my website, and hotlinked the image.

Does that make sense? If not, I'll try to explain better later.

Kevin

 

[Kevin K]

Fermentation is pretty much done after 4 days. I was getting a bubble every 20 seconds or so out of the small (siphon) blow off tube. I put the 3 pc airlock back on, and it doesn't even bubble once a minute. I figured it'd be a good time to check my SG, so I sanitized my thief and hydrometer. It read 1.012. If Walker is correct (and I suspect he is) in thinking my OG reading was actually closer to 1.055, I should be looking at a nice 5.5 or 5.6% beer.

I tasted the sample, and although a bit green, it sure was good. It tasted like beer, and had a nice subtle honey flavour to it. Fairly strong honey aroma, but very small hint of honey taste. Just what I was hoping for. I'll check the SG again tomorrow, and if it's constant, I'll rack it to the secondary.

Question about that beautiful yeast cake - how long can I leave it be in the carboy? Does it have to stay wet in order to re-use? I'd really like to re-use it, but I'm afraid it'll be a few weeks before I can brew another batch.

Kevin

 

[Kevin K]

Racked to secondary last night. SG was still 1.012. Sample tasted only slightly better than the last one. I think it's going to be pretty good, but is sure tastes green.

I've got the secondary in the cellar (60&#186 where it's quite a bit cooler than the rest of the basement. I'm hoping this will lead to a nice clear beer.

 

[Kevin K]

There she is, ready for bottling. I'll do that Sunday night after the kids go to bed.

It tastes FANTASTIC, if a little green. Perfectly drinkable though, even though it's un-carbonated and a little hoppy. It's super clear too. I'm very happy.

Can't wait to get it in the bottle, it's going to be great.

 

[Desert_Sky]

Looking great man.

Cheers in ~3 weeks

 

[Chairman Cheyco]

Ack! Not Blue!?! Are you from The 'Rock or something?

 

[Kevin K]

We had company over last weekend, and I didn't want to feed them all Erdinger, so they got Blue.

We'll call that emergency beer.

 

[Chairman Cheyco]

Okay, we can still be friends.

 

[Kevin K]

Whew....

 

[Desert_Sky]

Hey Kevin, whats next on the to brew list?

 

[Kevin K]

Decadent Brown Ale! It's another extract kit w/some grains. Similar to the Honey Cream Ale.

I guess I should create a fancy signature like you guys eh?

 

[Chairman Cheyco]

Yeah, beter get on it to match your "5.0 HQ" avatar!

 

[Kevin K]

That would be HO as in High Output. Hmm...that would make a great name for a beer!

 

[Chairman Cheyco]

You mean like O'keefe's Extra Old Stock? That stuff was the firs HO.

 

[Kevin K]

Gack. That would certainly be classified as HO in my book.

Have you tried the Extra Old Stock Strong? Whoo!

 

[Chairman Cheyco]

Didn't know it existed, and I'm sad now that I do...

 

[boo boo]

Ack! Not Blue!?! Are you from The 'Rock or something?

Surely you jest. We have better brews here than that upper canadian brew.

 

[Chairman Cheyco]

Surely you jest. We have better brews here than that upper canadian brew.

Surely I do.

 

[chillHayze]

That would be HO as in High Output. Hmm...that would make a great name for a beer!

A "high output" beer would be one that gives you strong beer gas.
I can see it now: "Kevin's High Output Colon-Cleansing Imperial Stout"!

 

[Kevin K]

A "high output" beer would be one that gives you strong beer gas.
I can see it now: "Kevin's High Output Colon-Cleansing Imperial Stout"!

Colon Blow Lactose Ale!

 

[Kevin K]

I managed to bottle my first brew last night. It looks EXACTLY like Sleeman Honey Brown. Kind of ironic, seeing as how that's where the bottles came from.

These are going to be a long two weeks!

 

[Desert_Sky]

Yea but being that this is your first one, your going to have to "test" it out every couple days to know when its at it's best

 

[Kevin K]

I know, I know. I'm just hoping I can wait at least a week. I had a flat, warm glass of it last night, and it was quite a bit better than it was a few days ago. It's going to be great when carbonated and cold!