Erratic Mash

[John Sand]

I'm brewing outside on a burner for the first time, and it's going perfectly. (No, not really) My spoon is too short to reach the bottom of the pot, and mash temps are all over. Too low, added heat, too high, added ice. Those temps went 146-152-162-156. Maybe it will balance out. I'm not sure if I should name it "Chaos". I'm trying to relax and not worry, but I drank a craft IIPA to help.

[Beer-lord]

162 may cause some problems but the 146-156 range should be ok. And the craft beer will surely help.
And, your subject line just gave me a new name for one of my future beers......Erratic Mash IPA. Thanks.

[John Sand]

That may be the name of this one too! Whatever it is, it is. It's cooked in now. I just hope it's not an award winning, all time great brew. Because it surely is a once in a lifetime process!

[John Sand]

A couple of details. The intended mash temp was 152. Projected OG 1.069, I got 1.068. It definitely converted.

[mashani]

Just pretend you were doing weird sort of step mash and smile and thank the beer gods because it will still be beer of some sort. Think of it this way - people made beer before there were thermometers.

[John Sand]

Thanks Mashani. I was thinking about it last night. The 16lb grain bill was more than I usually brew, the mash was 1.25qts/lb, a little thick. The lower part was hot, the top cool. I'm considering it a decoction mash!

[Gymrat]

I would be lost without my mash paddle. They are only $5 and what I consider an essential tool.
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/28-stirr ... astic.html

[jimjohson]

Plus 1 on that mash paddle. That's the kind I got from the LHBS.

[John Sand]

Yeah, if I don't get something before my next brew, I'm using scrap lumber.

[John Sand]

Update: Bottled tonight at 1.012, right on target. Meanwhile I bought a big wooden spoon for a mash paddle. I hope to brew again this week. With the wild mash and big dry hop, I may call it Erratic Hoptimism. The play on optimism due to the mash temps, and the last time I brewed this I infected it with an unsanitized cup.

[FedoraDave]

I'm glad it worked out. Did you taste any of it before you bottled? I always do with mine, and it helps me anticipate what the final beer is going to be like.

[John Sand]

I do and I did, though it doesn't really help me. It was very hoppy. That's good for an IPA.