Beer Forum

Completed 1st All-Grain batch last night. (Lost my virginity to a SMaSH Blonde Ale.)
After following calculations from "Fermenticus Brew Log" on iPhone I had excess water all around. I had excess from Mash>Kettle & Kettle>Fermenter. My boil-off rate isn't nearly what others often state. Boiled 7 gals./1 hr. down to 6.5 (I put 6 gals. in ferment bucket & left 2 qts. Trub in kettle).
Apparently I need to compare actual results against calculator predictions and adjust for my setup.

Every setup is different & a calculator can't spit out accurate calculations without knowing the variables involved. If I build a new system or make any significant changes to an existing one, I do a water brew. I go through every step, just like it's a real brew day, but I'm only moving around water. You can figure out where your losses are, boil off rates, etc. After that I always brew the same recipe so I can focus on the process. For me that's a low gravity blonde ale. Only base grain & minimal hopping.

It shows to be a Trial>Analyze>Calculate>Adjust kind of affair. The batch I made was a low gravity, single base malt, single hop variety, Blonde Ale. I will play around with the numbers for the next batch I make and continue to tweak. Such a great hobby deserves fine tuning & attention to detail.

I don't know about the newer software, but the nice thing with ProMash is once you have it figured out, you don't have to mess with it again. It took a couple of tests & a water brew to get all the info I needed locked in, but that was it. It's super nice not having to worry about it.

I'm sure I can find this out somewhere but how does one join the BN Army? Is home brewing beer enough or is there a right of passage with swearing in, boot camp & hazing?

I would recommend starting with the training video. If you have any questions, BD will be more than happy to help you out.

BrewChap wrote:I'm sure I can find this out somewhere but how does one join the BN Army? Is home brewing beer enough or is there a right of passage with swearing in, boot camp & hazing?

Luckily, to join the BN Army, swearing in, boot camp, and hazing are replaced with a monetary transfer...

http://www.thebrewingnetwork.com/Donate

BrewChap wrote:I'm sure I can find this out somewhere but how does one join the BN Army?

You just did...Welcome.

an occassional "Suck it JP" helps too.