Bash-Shell.Net

This was my first batch on the 120v Unibrau setup with an added 1650 watt Brew Hardware HotRod. I am still working through new setup issues with figuring out boil off rates in general as well as differences in grain absorption and efficiency with higher gravity beers on this new setup. I know grain absorption was a bit higher than calculated, but I also then ended up with less wort than expected even with that, suggesting my boil off rate was higher. This appears to be close to 2 gallons/hour, though, which is really high. Based on initial tests I was expecting closer to 1.5 gallons/hr, which is still a bit high, but I can work with it

Mash and Boil

Mashed in at 158 with a full volume BIAB mash with about 7.8 gallons of water. I used my usual 60 minute mash time with a target temperature of around 150F. I went a bit low on the mash temperature to keep the body from being heavier than I wanted while also squeezing about a bit higher ABV. I then boiled for 60 minutes with hops added at the beginning of the boil.

Fermentation

Although I had yeast around which would work, I picked up a fresh packet of Fermentis S-04 to get the right British flavor and moderately high attenuation. I also wanted a fresh packet of yeast to go with the high starting gravity. Primary fermentation went well and was easily complete within a week. I have also taken to carbonating in the keg, so transferred there after a few more days and aded priming sugar. The beer then sat for another 1.5 weeks, which is a bit short for priming sugar given the temperatures it was at.

Initial Impressions

On the night of the 4th I transferred around 2.5 gallons to a smaller keg to go in my kegerator (I use 2.5 gallon kegs there so that I can fit a shelf with cans and bottles on top). I think I lost a lot of the carbonation in my transfer because I did not cool the beer first, so any co2 not already dissolved just went back to the main keg using my closed system keg transfer setup. I brought a growler over to a friends house on Nov. 6 after the 2.5 gallon keg sat in the kegerator with co2 connected. It seems to be a hit so far, my friend really enjoyed it and I did as well. I definitely think this is better than my first couple of brews of this beer which I did on the stovetop over a year ago. I have improved mash management with my Unibrau setup and tweaked my fermentation temperature control and I think these things are helping my beers out a lot.