BeerBorg

Ran through an entire brew procedure but ended up with no beer this morning... wait, what?

In preparation to do my first all grain batch, I did a "batch" to break in some new equipment and do some water volume calculations. I have a new aluminum 5 gal kettle that I needed to get a layer of oxidation on and figure boil off. So I ran through the whole process. 1 hour mash and a 1 hour boil. I was ordering some goodies online while the boil was going on (didn't have to worry about boil over). I have a new 10" wide-mouth funnel with a built in strainer for pouring into the LBK, a hydrometer, beer thief, clip on thermometer, grain bag, hop sacs and some hops on the way.

I think I have my numbers ready for brewday. Excited to go all grain baby!

Welcome to the dark side!! muahahahaha

Thanks for the help Phil. However, if it goes bad I blame you.

That's great! But don't forget grain absorption.

I'm figuring on about a cup per lb of grain. I don't expect my first batch to be perfect. I'm sure I will learn from the things that will inevitably go wrong. Plus it is easier to add water at the end if i'm short rather than the other way around.

Ibasterd wrote:Thanks for the help Phil. However, if it goes bad I blame you.

Fair enough, but just remember, you've steeped grains before. This isn't any harder than steeping grains. The only differences are temperature, and time.

You know the saying.. once u go all grain, you'll never go dme again... are you ready for that??

Ibasterd wrote:I'm figuring on about a cup per lb of grain. I don't expect my first batch to be perfect. I'm sure I will learn from the things that will inevitably go wrong. Plus it is easier to add water at the end if i'm short rather than the other way around.

I would still be very happy to help you drink it..

Ibasterd wrote:I'm figuring on about a cup per lb of grain. I don't expect my first batch to be perfect. I'm sure I will learn from the things that will inevitably go wrong. Plus it is easier to add water at the end if i'm short rather than the other way around.

I do BIAB and full volume mashes. I multiply the grain weight by .075 and that gives me the amount of water I need to add to the mash to compensate for grain absorption.

A cup per pound is a really thick mash that may not allow for good conversion. I suggest to use a minimum of one quart of water per pound of grain. Typical traditional mashes use 1.25 to 2 quarts of water per pound (I like to be in the middle at 1.5 quarts per pound). I typically will end up topping off the fermenter with an extra quart after the boil even with this ratio. The water absorbed by the grain is significant and with a cup per pound, you'll likely not have much wort in your pot.

I think he was saying 1 cup per lb for absorbtion. Otherwise, it'd be like oatmeal...

mtsoxfan wrote:I think he was saying 1 cup per lb for absorbtion. Otherwise, it'd be like oatmeal...

Correct. I was planning on adding an extra cup per lb of grain in addition to the initial full volume of strike water. In my test boil, I lost almost exactly 1 gal to boil off. So, to compensate I would need to start with 3 gallons to end up with two. In addition to that I plan on adding an extra 1.25qts for grain absorbtion for 5 lbs of grain. for a grand total of 3 gal, 1.25 qts initial strike water. Like I said, the batch itself will be a learning experience. I will have a more accurate idea after I go through the process.

Here is the current recipe I worked up on Brewer's Friend.

HOME BREW RECIPE:
Title: Grand MOFF SMaSH
Author: Inglourious Basterd Brewing Co.

Brew Method: BIAB
Style Name: American IPA
Boil Time: 60 min
Batch Size: 2 gallons (fermentor volume)
Boil Size: 3.3125 gallons
Boil Gravity: 1.034
Efficiency: 60% (brew house)

STATS:
Original Gravity: 1.057
Final Gravity: 1.016
ABV (standard): 5.39%
IBU (tinseth): 63.69
SRM (morey): 6.93

FERMENTABLES:
5 lb - United Kingdom - Maris Otter Pale (100%)

HOPS:
0.25 oz - Falconer's Flight, Type: Pellet, AA: 10, Use: Boil for 60 min, IBU: 27.33
0.25 oz - Falconer's Flight, Type: Pellet, AA: 10, Use: Boil for 20 min, IBU: 16.55
0.5 oz - Falconer's Flight, Type: Pellet, AA: 10, Use: Boil for 10 min, IBU: 19.82
0.25 oz - Falconer's Flight, Type: Pellet, AA: 0, Use: Aroma for 0 min

MASH GUIDELINES:
1) Temperature, Temp: 152 F, Time: 60 min, Amount: 3.3125 gal

YEAST:
Fermentis / Safale - American Ale Yeast US-05
Starter: No
Form: Dry
Attenuation (avg): 72%
Flocculation: Medium
Optimum Temp: 59 - 75 F
Fermentation Temp: 68 F

That looks pretty solid! Your boil size will be closer to 2.75 gallons considering loss to grain absorption, but that's not important. Like we discussed, if you haven't got one, I'd recommend picking up a hydrometer so you can take a specific gravity reading before pitching the yeast to see if your OG is where it is expected to be. Best of luck on your brew day, Andrew!