Great brew day

Mashing
1

So yesterday was one of those days where everything seemed to go right. I brewed my own, new recipe for an IPA featuring Falconers Flight hops. I decided to build my water profile completely from distilled and used the Pale Ale profile in Brunwater. Got it as close as possible using 4 different salts (gypsum, epsom, NaCl, CaCl2) measured out the day before.

Weather was a bit brisk in the high 30’s to low 40’s but the sun was shining and I was having a couple of brews with my buddy so I barely noticed the temps. Got everything setup and let 'er rip.

I decided to go with the tighter mill gap that I went with last time that resulted in an annoying sparge that would randomly stick. Well this time I think I figured it out (I hope anyway). I only opened the mashtun valve halfway and drained it a bit slower. This resulted in getting every single drop of water out. That’s the first time I’ve ever been able to do that. It was glorious :slight_smile:

Got 5.5 gallons into the fermenter and measured a little over 78% efficiency. I was expecting 70% so it was a bit higher than expected (1.069) but nothing to worry about. Chilled it to 65 in the kettle and transferred to carboy and took it downstairs to the fermentation chamber. Aerated and pitched 2 packs of US-05.

Everything went smooth and I was done in 3.5 hours from setup to cleanup. All in all a great brew day!

Anyone else have a good brew day this weekend?

2

Second attempt with my redone mash tun. 15# grain, no rice hulls. The runoff was beautiful! I need to redetermine my volumes because I’ve gotten way more pre-boil volume with the braid. I think the false bottom was creating more dead space than I thought I had.

3

Didn’t brew this weekend, but I did get to sample the finished product several times. :smiley:

4

Finally got around to brewing my 2.05gal test batch of Moon Man clone on Saturday. Was supposed to cut a tree down but it was just too cold.

Gotta love those brew days that go off without a hitch. Makes you really know why you enjoy brewing so much other than just getting beer. That reminds me, and not trying to steal the thread, but my wife thought I only brewed for the final product. She was surprised and shocked when I told her I have fun and enjoy the process.

5

I agree the journey makes the destination sweeter. Way to go :cheers:

6

I did my first 90 minute mash and 90 minute boil for a Kölsch. All the temps were right on.
Enjoyed sunshine, good tunes, and a 4 1/2 hour session.

7

Didn’t brew this week, but did last weekend. Did a golden ale, followed by a double chocolate oatmeal cream stout (request from wife). Weather was beautiful and in the 40s, hit almost every target on the nose, and had everything cleaned up in about 6 hours, so I could start cooking for company.