First AG Brew

[bevan]

Today I did my first AG brew

Dr Smurto's golden ale
20L batch size

2.4kg JW trad ale
0.8kg JW light Munich
0.8kg Briess pale ale
0.25kg JW caramalt

Strike temp 70degC
Mash in temp 66.9degC
Mash time 60min
Mash out temp 60.9degC (going to have to work on the insulation of my kettle!)

Amarillo 20g 60min
Amarillo 15g 15min
Amarillo 15g 5min
Irish moss 1/2 tablet 5min
Amarillo 15g 0min

No chill cube

Know why it's called sweet liquor now, think I'm going to get addicted to the smell of brewing [emoji51]

Some photos of my brew stuff

Heating to strike temp




My hoist arm to pull the bag up



Going to start the ferment tomorrow
Safale US05 yeast

 

[motman]

Nice setup! I'm sure it'll be a winner beer

 

[BDD]

Good stuff! One of the best recipes going. Hope it turns out great!!

 

[bouncingcastle]

Love the paint stirrer mash paddle.
Welcome to the club, theres no going back now!

 

[bevan]

Love the paint stirrer mash paddle.
Welcome to the club, theres no going back now!

Paint stirrer works a treat!

Did another brew today. A stone and wood pacific ale clone off the recipe DB.
Got to boil and my elemnet blew the circuit breaker. The gas kept it at a boil but not quite a rolling boil. Changed from a 60min to a 90 min boil to hopefully get the right boil off and correct quantity into the fermenter. It's a learning experience. Think I'll have to invest in a new burner or get a new element. Also having issues with getting the pump to suck. Might install a ball valve at the bottom of the keg.

 

[bevan]

Nice pile of trub left after a whirlpool


Added some more insulation and a movers blanket and this time I only lost 2 degrees of mash temp over the 60 min. I also mashed out for 10 min at 76 deg. Hopefully this will improve my efficiency.

 

[stewy]

ImageUploadedByAussie Home Brewer1456905824.688632.jpg
Nice pile of trub left after a whirlpool

ImageUploadedByAussie Home Brewer1456905843.941024.jpg
Added some more insulation and a movers blanket and this time I only lost 2 degrees of mash temp over the 60 min. I also mashed out for 10 min at 76 deg. Hopefully this will improve my efficiency.

Hey mate, regarding temp stability during mash, I use a blanket (quite light) with a $12 Woollies doonah on top & a couple of Occy straps & lose 1C over 90 mins....
Recommendations by forum legend Bribie

 

[bevan]

Kegged the Dr Smurto's golden ale today. Poured the first glass

Tastes fantastic!

 

[indica86]

Nice one bevan

 

[Yob]

Good stuff, easy ain't it?

 

[Coodgee]

well done! looks a gooden' check out that thick creamy head!

 

[Jack of all biers]

Tastes fantastic!

Now remember this is the most important thing. Well done and welcome to the hobby. There really is no turning back now.