Worst Brew Day attempt ever....

[scientist_brewer]

I had a disappoint brew day yesterday - nothing went wrong causing damage just a really low OG (1.024!!!). Thanks for sharing your tale, it made me laugh and appreciate how important it is to relax and not do everything so precise and be ready to adapt and be ready.

I'm looking forward to hearing how the beer tastes.

 

[Tommy1858]

i have made 8 all grain batches so far The first was perfect by the numbers. and it made a very drinkable beer. something happened during some part of the next 7 brews nothing went by a time schedual on time, temps were off mashing,stoped mid boil to get something for SWMBO .even no gas and stores closed, did the boil on 2nd day. and it all made beer so far and was drinkable. some were even good and will never be duplicated. So i say never admit defeat or that all the nasty black stuff you tracked into the house from the brew kettle. and the rest will take care of it's self

 

[D_Ranged_Eskimo]

**** happens!

I had my worst brew day yesterday so far. I bottled a Wit beer and while bottling, didn't discover the about 8-10 bottles that were being filled were screw tops! That was a pain in the ass transfering to new bottles.

Then, I was working on my second all grain, and ended up mashing high (156-158). i was looking more for 154, so we will see how this thing turns out.

But the worst part was 3 stuck sparges. FML! I might have finally got my false bottom fixed and ready for next time, but holy hell, I was ready to just pour everything out and give up.

After all of this, I ended up with a boil over (about 7 gals in a keggle and still managed a boil over).

Thank god that brew day from hell is over, but the good news, this morning the S-04 was working like a champ on this FML ESB.

 

[malevolent]

**** happens!

I had my worst brew day yesterday so far. I bottled a Wit beer and while bottling, didn't discover the about 8-10 bottles that were being filled were screw tops! That was a pain in the ass transfering to new bottles.

Then, I was working on my second all grain, and ended up mashing high (156-158). i was looking more for 154, so we will see how this thing turns out.

But the worst part was 3 stuck sparges. FML! I might have finally got my false bottom fixed and ready for next time, but holy hell, I was ready to just pour everything out and give up.

After all of this, I ended up with a boil over (about 7 gals in a keggle and still managed a boil over).

Thank god that brew day from hell is over, but the good news, this morning the S-04 was working like a champ on this FML ESB.

156-158 is still conversion temp...you should be fine.

 

[D_Ranged_Eskimo]

156-158 is still conversion temp...you should be fine.

That's great to hear. The only concern right now is finishing high in gravity due to the higher mash temp. Hopefully the thermometer was a little off!

 

[tre9er]

You may get more dextrinous wort which won't ferment as much but will provide more mouthfeel. What temp did the mash finish at?

 

[D_Ranged_Eskimo]

You may get more dextrinous wort which won't ferment as much but will provide more mouthfeel. What temp did the mash finish at?

156, I was impressed that it retained heat as well as it did. I stirred like crazy half way through to try and drop temp (although I know this really doesn't help as most conversion is done within the first 15 minutes.)

 

[tre9er]

Yeah, next time just stir it down at first, maybe have some cool water on hand and stir it in a cup at a time. The enzymes wont be denatured instantly, so you have some time.

 

[D_Ranged_Eskimo]

Yeah, next time just stir it down at first, maybe have some cool water on hand and stir it in a cup at a time. The enzymes wont be denatured instantly, so you have some time.

Thanks for the help. Going to try this all grain thing again in about 3 weeks after my primaries clear up.

 

[PseudoChef]

In terms of the airlock, stick foil over the top of the carboy until you can get yourself a new airlock.

Yep - don't know why all the hassle over the airlock. Not really super important for primary - just cap with foil and call it done. I rarely airlock primaries unless it's summer and the fruit flies are about.