1 Oct
2003
1 Oct
'03
10:07 a.m.
Sounds like a great first batch Marc! If you're worried about hitting the
numbers exactly on the OG, you can always dilute. With the refractometer,
it's simple to see what your final gravity is going to be and add
appropriate water to the boil to hit your mark. With a hydrometer, you can
add water to the primary. It's easier to brew too strong, then add a little
water than it is to brew too weak and try to bring the gravity UP. About
all you can do at that point is add extract.
The other style point with Kolsch is fermentation temp - it's an Ale that's
fermented cool. Try to ferment around 60 F. if possible. If you have the
ability, you may even want to drop the secondary down to 50 F. Your mash
and hop bill looks fine.
- Al
----- Original Message -----
From: "Marc Donnelly" <marc(a)targetadv.com>
To: <mba(a)thebarn.com>
Sent: Monday, September 29, 2003 12:38 PM
Subject: My 1st All Grain brew...
This past weekend I decide to finally take the plunge.
From what came
of it, I'm pretty happy! Yea it added about two hours onto a normal
extract/partial mash batch for me but I believe it was worth it. The
first batch was a Kolsch.
I think I spent more time fussing with the pH of the water then
anything (set at 5.5). About 10.5 lbs of grain - 9 lbs of pils, 1 lbs
of wheat, and .5 lbs of carapils. Used Wyeast Kolsch yeast and 2oz of
Spalt for hops.
For my mash/lauter tun I used Listermanns setup (I got it some time ago
at Lee Kramer's old place). I wrapped the plastic bucket in the
insulated bubble duct wrap and it kept the temp very well (149 degrees
for 55 minutes). Spargered for about 30 minutes and got about 6 gallons
out of the 9 I started with.
Then boiled for 60 minutes and added hops at 60, 30 and 15 from end of
boil. Ended up just shy of 5 gallons of brew. So hopefully by the end
of this month I'll bring it to the club only judging looking for
comments. OG was on the high side at 1.052. Any suggestions on how to
get it more in profile with the style? I can tell you an ATC
refractometer is a nice tool to have!
I know I have more work to understand the whole process, but this was a
good start and "getting the feet wet" exercise, literally.
Now with a new family member (for all that don't know we had a baby
girl on August 22 named Paige Elizabeth Donnelly, 21.5 inches long and
7 lbs 14 oz. - and much bigger now) finding time to brew is becoming
more difficult but hopefully more rewarding. I was already teaching
her the ropes of being an assistant brewer.
-marc