Today I am 74. I never thought I should live this long. It was a wonderful day. Everyone had something planed, but finally I said that the best Birthday that all could give me would be a complete day that I could just do what I wanted to do. Well, everyone agreed, so guess what that was! Today I leisurely brewed a 10 gallon batch of Belgian Golden Strong the old way. No pumps, electronic thermostats, nada, just me a thermometer, hydrometer, pH meter and a mash paddle. It was glorious. I did three rests and a transfer to the laughter tun, just like the old days. Hit all volumes and temps on the nose. What more could be asked. Ended up with 92% efficiency into the boil kettle. I had to cheat some with the transfer to two 6 gal carboys by setting up a vacuum pump to suck the cooled wort from the brew kettle to the fermenters. I just can't carry those things anymore. Adjusted the SG with sterilized water. The wort is now settling in the cooler. Tomorrow I'll transfer off the trub and pitch. Hope you young folks with me well with my birthday brew. Cheers..
