Uh oh… My efficiency has been running close to 90 the last couple batches. I’m guessing this will be a little strong? 9 lbs of malt plus a pound of corn. 9x36 =324+38=362/5 =1.072 predicted OG? Take 85% of that, 1.061 or there abouts? Does that sound right? Probably end up closer to 6 or 6.5 ABV? Took the pre-boil gravity. 7.4 gallons (28L) at 1.044.
I seem to have a bad habit of overshooting my goal. I was gonna leave the corn out and then at the last minute I figured, screw it why not. Well, I’m sure it will be ok, just need some moderation.
This one was sort of seat of my pants as you can tell. I have been underestimating my efficiency because I keep thinking it shouldn’t be as good as it has been but the last 5 batches have been pretty stable at 85-89%. I started my first recipe at a 65% assumption and I’ve been working down each time from there. But, I drop the grain by 1 lb and I get more efficiency that seems to offset my change. I think from here on, working at 87% will get me closer.
I keep telling myself my next beer will be a session mild at 3-4% but then something comes up and I change plans.
I may try for a mild really soon, maybe even tomorrow since I’m gonna have to back off my O’fest plans until I get a really good starter going for that one.
Final results were 23L of 1.060. No room to water it down so it is what it is. Could take a bit longer to ferment out now that it’s higher. Not worried about it. If it’s not done on time, I’ll drink it later. No sense rushing things if it turns out badly. Still, 11 or 12 days on the yeast cake and then a fast force carb, should be do-able. We shall see.
Thanks
Just an update. Took a gravity today and it was 1.018 or 1.020. Still got a bit to go. Not sure what the final will be but I’m shooting for 1.012 to 1.014. Tasted ok, good clarity from what I could see.
I’m a bit worried about it finishing out, some of my brews have seemed to take a very long time to finish up so I added gave it a bit of a shake and put it on top of a heating pad wrapped in a garbage bag. The ambient temp in the room is about 65 degrees and it’s sitting in a plastic bucket right on the concrete floor so I think it could be a bit cold. Hopefully ramping it up 5 degrees will get it to finish. I’ll leave it on the yeast cake until Thursday.
One question. I’m going to use gelatin to fine it. Should I do that on Thursday and then keg Friday or should I keg first and then add the gelatin?
It should be cold before using gelatin. I guess it may depend on whether you plan on reusing the yeast, because if you fine it before you keg then the yeast will have a layer of gelatin on it. I don’t know how much difference that makes, but it may be something to consider. I usually use gelatin in the keg.
Today’s the day. Party is tonight and the beer is done. I put it on CO2 at 30PSI for the night and shook the heck out of it. Just poured the first glass and I have to say, I think that this is my best beer so far. The colour is good, the flavour is nice, good hop/malt balance. Darker than you’d think a Cream Ale should be but I’m trying to match a specific beer brand that is darker. I’m very happy with this one and I definitely think that this is going to be going into rotation! Clarity is not bad but I think all the shaking didn’t help any. More settling time would be good.
First time using WLP001 and I really like it.
Thanks for all the advice.
