I know a lot of this has been discussed in other threads but I'd figure I'd just ask about them all in this one thread. I'm going to give my first wee heavy an attempt tomorrow and I'd like to know about the pros and cons to the tricks I've read about:
1. Boiling a portion of the mash liquor, say a gallon or so of the first runnings. I wasn't sure I saw a consensus about whether or not this is a good idea or not. Does it work? What are the cons to this? And how long and how much do you boil?
2. A regular decocotion mash schedule for this. Well, does it work, how much and how often (how many steps in the decocotion mash schedule, single, double, etc.)
3. Extra long boil, I've read somewhere where some do a three hour boil. Yikes? I'm sure an hour long boil isn't going to cut it but do you really need to do that long of a boil? How about 90 minutes or 120 maybe? Do you need to add water to the kettle or should you sparge with more water if using this "trick"
4. Can you use any of these tricks in conjunction with another one? If I boil for two hours plus the first two gallons of the first runnings will this add too much maltiness for example or is it overkill or is there a point of diminishing returns where I might not be hurting myself per se but its more work for little to no influence on the final product?
5. Where does the Wee come from anyway?
Thanks in advance
WR
1. Boiling a portion of the mash liquor, say a gallon or so of the first runnings. I wasn't sure I saw a consensus about whether or not this is a good idea or not. Does it work? What are the cons to this? And how long and how much do you boil?
2. A regular decocotion mash schedule for this. Well, does it work, how much and how often (how many steps in the decocotion mash schedule, single, double, etc.)
3. Extra long boil, I've read somewhere where some do a three hour boil. Yikes? I'm sure an hour long boil isn't going to cut it but do you really need to do that long of a boil? How about 90 minutes or 120 maybe? Do you need to add water to the kettle or should you sparge with more water if using this "trick"
4. Can you use any of these tricks in conjunction with another one? If I boil for two hours plus the first two gallons of the first runnings will this add too much maltiness for example or is it overkill or is there a point of diminishing returns where I might not be hurting myself per se but its more work for little to no influence on the final product?
5. Where does the Wee come from anyway?
Thanks in advance
WR