homebrewandbeer.com

Hi Guys,

Thought I'd tell you about my first BIAB. It was based off of SuperBroo's recipe here: http://homebrewandbeer.com/forum/viewto ... 11&t=10412

Bought myself all new equipment (been doing kit and kilo up till recently), including a fancy laser thermometer. Unfortunately it turns out that the laser thermometer loses accuracy at higher temperatures, so instead of mashing at around 69C, it was probably closer to 75 - 80C. I didn't realise this at the time, and so when the beer didn't appear to be fermenting I thought it was the yeast. So I pitched a second packet of yeast with no change.

Left it for about 4 weeks, then decided to bottle it anyway. Turns out it did ferment slightly: 1030 down to 1020. After taking about 7 weeks in the bottle to carbonate, it has turned out to be not a bad drop. And at only 1.8% alcohol, I should be fine to have a couple and still drive

Anyone else had a stuff up that turned out well in the end?

Only with incorrect hop additions etc...

thats a good result if yours tasted ok after all that, you tend not to 'get away with it' as much with light beers.

I still do that recipe as my favourite, and I will highly recommend that you purchase some cascade flowers instead of pellets, i got some recently from craftbrewer, it simply tastes awesome.

my latest version is this...

Name - Superbroo Lite Ale.
Type - AG.
Batch size - 23 Litres.
BIAB and No Chill into cube.

Remember, sanitation and patience, plus good temp control are essential.

Grains...
2 kg marris otter malt.
500 g wheat malt.
150 g biscuit malt.
400 g munich malt.
30 g flaked wheat or oats ( no need to crush, just add to mash) .

Hops...
5 g chinook bittering, 60 mins.
25 g cascade flowers 15 mins.
10 g cascade flowers at flame out (0 minutes).

US05 yeast.
Rehydrate yeast in Luke warm ( 25 deg c ) water 2 hours before pitching.

Primary 7 days at 17 deg c.
Secondary 5 days at 17 deg c.

At end of secondary, Add small teaspoon finings ( mixed with hot water) .
Immediately chill to 2 deg c for 4 days, then keg or bottle.

Haven't tried using hop flowers yet (hoping it is third year lucky with my hop bind).

How would you describe the flavour difference between the pellets and the flowers? Is it mostly extra aroma?

Not too good on words mate, but i would say the flowers are more aromatic, and nicer than my first years home grown cascade flowers, which I still very much liked.

The flowers are probably more of a citrus taste and aroma, and very very clean, they sort of hit you as really fresh tasting.
A real flavour bomb without being overpowering.
I think the pellets taste more stringent / grassy / harsh, and this is probably due to the leaves being ground up releasing other flavours. In saying that, I still like the pellets, but now not as much as the flowers.

I'm going to order some more from Ross right now in fact...

I'm no expert, but am enjoying this little learning curve having done the same recipe now quite a few times, with pellets, and both bought and home grown flowers.

So far bought flowers wins, but my second year hops will probably be better than my first, cant wait to try...

sorry, my mash temp is around 66 - 69 deg c.