Tuesday 18/04/23.
: Previous day when running filtered water to G70 and Sparge.
Treat mash and a litte sparge water with 10gms Calcium Chloride, 5gms Calcium Sulphate ( Gypsum ), 4gms Magnesium Sulphate ( Epsom ) and 10gms Baking Soda ( Sodium Bicarbonate ).
Mash and recirc started at 0850.
Ph 5.2 after almost 1 hour, calibrate meter and now reading 5.0. Add 1/2tsp baking soda retest shows 5.1 add another 1/2tsp and now up to 5.4 pretty good for stout/ dark beer at recommended 5.4-5.6.
Collect 53Litres at 1062 OG giving 71% efficiency. Bit on the low side - hopefully makes up for low OG with extra yummy taste.
Pitch yeast ( BRY97 - 41gms. Saturated in 500ml ) at 1635 at 24C.
Wed 19th at 0800 some yeast forming on top of brew, 1030 light bubbling two pops every second and lovey fresh smooth yeast smell. Temp 18.3C. At 1730 temp 18.9C bubbling still 2 every sec with a little more intensity.
Thurs 20th, Temp 18.9C ( set to 18.5C ) almost continuous bubbling good yeast crop on top small collection at bottom of cone. Still delicious yeast smell no off ( sulphury?? ) smell. Take gravity reading now 1044. Tastes superb...maybe a little thin see how she goes.
Fri 21/4 Temp 18.8C gravity 1024. Still good bubbling slower but with bursts. Smelling really good, a little cloudy compared to yesterday taste good if still a bit thinnish??? 1800 bubbling has slowed a little to one small burst every second.
Sat 22/4 Temp 18.8C Gravity 1020 slow/ slight bubbling - one pop every 3-4 secs. Still a bit muddy/ murky. S]Very slight weird vegetal?? yeast? smell other wise smells like a stout and taste has really improved, not thin - way more body hints chocolate coffee and pretty yum.
Will have to sit for a few days ( as we will be away ) - lift temp setting up to 19.5C ( with MJ Heat pad in ) to do slow D Rest and hopefully finish ferment and lower gravity.
Wed 26/4 at 1420 Temp 19.4 Gravity 1012 and still murky looking smell and taste great. drop temp to 3C run a little CO2 through T Valve then shut off blow off valve. Blow a little CO2 into fermenter.
Thu 27/4 Temp 8.6C dump 2 litres lovely smelling thick dark yeast. Looking brighter and less murky. Delicious taste.
Fri 28/4Temp 3.5C Gravity still 1020 and still a bit murky??? Tastes good.
Sunday 30/4 run off to 50L keg probably about 43-45L. Discover that there is a light bend in MM Lid causing leak so no idea of how much O2 has got in??? Tastes good if not a little thin.