What else could go wrong?

[jsb]

Ok, no worries, but a cautionary tale...

So today, I did my first all grain batch. What an experience!

But first a little background info. For Christmas, my SWMBO very generously gave me a 10g mash tun (cooler) with SS false bottom, a grain mill, a bayou burner, scales, and bunch of other home brew gear. All of which were getting tried out today.

So I decided to make my first AG, a big beer (the Chimay Grand Reserve clone from AHS). Go big or stay home, I always say sometimes. That is where the mistakes began.

Mistake #1: Last night after sanitizing my flask, I stood it on end to drain. Deciding that was a risky idea, I reached to upright it, knocking it over and shattering it. Bummer.

#2: Cranked up the mill with the electric screwdriver. Did not anticipate the bind, and slung some grain across the garage when the mill shifted (only about a cup).

#3, 4, 5, 6: At the end of the mash, I began the vorlauf and it kept getting stuck. I had drained less than an ounce when it stopped the first time. Out of desperation I tried roto-rootering the valve with a tie wrap (no joy). I tried quick burst of air through the valve (can you say hot side aeration). I put a potholder on my hand, pulled my sleeve down, stuck my arm in a garbage bag, and then in the mash to find the tubing from the false bottom to the valve was of, and struggled to replace it (failed miserably). Dumped the entire mash in to my boil kettle, repaired the false bottom and returned the mash.

#7: When chilling the wort, I realized the hose inlet was pushing garden hose water into the wort (repaired).

#8: When chilling the wort, I realized the hose inlet was pushing garden hose water into the wort (repaired again).

#9: When cleaning up my pot, I found small spots of burnt sugar.

Those are just the ones I am aware of, as I am sure there are more.

The up side? I still hit my target OG, my mash temps, my volume, and all my times. The wort has a good flavor and is in the primary now.

I am looking forward to a couple of cases of wet cardboard and bananas. I had thought about calling this beer "Chimay Be Right" (apologies to Billy Joel), but now I think "Chimay Be Wrong" is more appropriate.

 

[jsb]

Oh, and it was my first time cooking outdoors, and the temp was in the 20s. I just don't know how you Northerners do it. Brrrrr. However, had I made that mess indoors SWMBO would be returning my gifts.

 

[likwidbliss]

The plus side is your experience is over for now. In the end you will make beer. I had a recent similar experience where nothing went right. Strike water was too hot, then I cooled it too much. finally with nearly 5 gallons in my mash tun I got it to 153 *F. I added hops at the wrong time, hose from chiller blew off. Didn't add the right amount of priming sugar at bottling. Beer is undercarbed. In the end I made beer an oatmeal stout which I am drinking as I type.

As far as us Notherners brewing in the winter, we do it in t-shirts and sandals.

 

[stevedasleeve]

Brew again - and soon. One always makes mistakes initially, logistics, placement of equipment, small errors that accumulate... The very best thing is to brew again as soon after as possible, all the problems from the last one will be anticipated, you will make far fewer mistakes, adjust to your equipment and have a better time. 3rd time is the charm!

Congrats, I bet your beer will be fine, great even!

 

[jsb]

Brew again - and soon.

I have a New Castle and a Fat Tire in hot standby as soon as my primary is free.

 

[Sherpa FE]

Been there done that. Still drank the beer. Been brewing for almost 12 years and just the other day purged 5 gallons out of a corny because of my dumb mistake. It happens!
It will still be beer and it's still the best hobby EVER!!

 

[jsb]

Brew again - and soon. One always makes mistakes initially, logistics, placement of equipment, small errors that accumulate... The very best thing is to brew again as soon after as possible, all the problems from the last one will be anticipated, you will make far fewer mistakes, adjust to your equipment and have a better time. 3rd time is the charm!

I did brew again, as you recommended. Such a different story. A Newcastle clone from AHS. To say everything went flawlessly would be an exaggeration, but it went pretty well. I even managed to pull off a fly sparge and hit 90% efficiency overall. Mash temps hit and remained spot on. My only issue was about a quart short on sparge water.

The original AG Chimay clone that was the subject of this original post is now in the secondary (aka bright tank), having hit about 9.5% ABV. A hydrometer sample had a good flavor, a tiny bit dry, and a hint of apples, but it will be close, and certainly drinkable.

Thanks to all in these forums for the help.

 

[Sheldon]

I did the Chimay Grand Reserve AG from AHS. It was good and only got better with the passage of time

 

[WyomingBrewer]

Congrats on the first all grain! What do you think of this?

I did my first all grain today. Split the boil because I dont have a big enough pot to boil 6.5 gallons which means I had to split all the hops etc. Hit my dough in and mash temp. Held it well for an hour, only lost 2 degrees from beginning to end. Batch sparge went well. All is good in the world when I decide I need to put my stock pot that I just heated sparge water in on the floor to fill with wort. Kitchen is carpeted and I burned a circle in it. Genius move, I was'nt even drinking this brew day! And I live in a rental so I no doubt just lost my deposit and maybe more. I did hit my OG, sorta. Recipe called for 1.061 and I got 1.064. SWMBO IS pissed about the carpet! I just hope she doesnt ban brewing in the house, its freezing outside.

 

[Flomaster]

I have a New Castle and a Fat Tire in hot standby as soon as my primary is free.

only logical thing to do it buy 1 or 2 more carboys or buckets. why wait brew now.

-=Jason=-

 

[jkreuze]

only logical thing to do it buy 1 or 2 more carboys or buckets. why wait brew now.

-=Jason=-

+1 buckets are really cheap

If you have four of them you can brew every weekend!

 

[Flomaster]

+1 buckets are really cheap

If you have four of them you can brew every weekend!

if you have a fridge large enough to fit them in.

-=Jason=-

 

[Yoda]

Congrats on the first all grain! What do you think of this?

I did my first all grain today. Split the boil because I dont have a big enough pot to boil 6.5 gallons which means I had to split all the hops etc. Hit my dough in and mash temp. Held it well for an hour, only lost 2 degrees from beginning to end. Batch sparge went well. All is good in the world when I decide I need to put my stock pot that I just heated sparge water in on the floor to fill with wort. Kitchen is carpeted and I burned a circle in it. Genius move, I was'nt even drinking this brew day! And I live in a rental so I no doubt just lost my deposit and maybe more. I did hit my OG, sorta. Recipe called for 1.061 and I got 1.064. SWMBO IS pissed about the carpet! I just hope she doesnt ban brewing in the house, its freezing outside.

"There is no try, only do or do not" , Master Yoda

You are misquoting Yoda friend! Come on now!

It is "Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try!"

 

[WyomingBrewer]

my bad Yoda, I will fix it.

 

[Runyanka]

I did my first 10 gallon batch yesterday, first time with a pump, plate chiller, quick disconnects, etc. Look at the friggin mess I made, this is during chilling and putting in primarys. I couldn't get my pump to prime for Chet! then watched a video from Bobby M, and it worked like a charm. Other things that went wrong, MLT ball valve started leaking, hose connections on the chiller were leaking. Broke my thermometer, after mash.