I have a few questions that arose from my last brew session. I could use some help in troubleshooting it.
First, I bought an all-grain Altbier kit from an online supplier. So that I could calculate the appropriate mineral additions and pH adjustments, they were nice enough to give me a detail of the grain bill. I entered all that data into BeerSmith. One thing I noticed was that the expected OG that BeerSmith reported was quite different from that of the supplier. BeerSmith showed an expected OG of 1.055, while the kit showed an OG of 1.046. What could account for that difference? Also, my measured OG was 1.041 with the appropriate batch volume. Would you have tried to increase that OG with DME? If so, would you aim for the 1.046 or the 1.055?
Second, I had poor brewhouse efficiency, 56%, with this brew session. I use BIAB. The grains were double-crushed. The pH was 5.38. I did a multi-step mash with very good temperature control. I mashed out at 165 for 20 minutes. I decided not to squeeze the bag after the mash this time, and just let it drip. I have read a study online that showed that beers are slightly more cloudy when the bag is squeezed, although there is no real difference in flavor or color. Any suggestions to improve my brewhouse efficiency? Should I just squeeze the bag every time? Should I not worry so much and just use more grain next time?
Thanks.
First, I bought an all-grain Altbier kit from an online supplier. So that I could calculate the appropriate mineral additions and pH adjustments, they were nice enough to give me a detail of the grain bill. I entered all that data into BeerSmith. One thing I noticed was that the expected OG that BeerSmith reported was quite different from that of the supplier. BeerSmith showed an expected OG of 1.055, while the kit showed an OG of 1.046. What could account for that difference? Also, my measured OG was 1.041 with the appropriate batch volume. Would you have tried to increase that OG with DME? If so, would you aim for the 1.046 or the 1.055?
Second, I had poor brewhouse efficiency, 56%, with this brew session. I use BIAB. The grains were double-crushed. The pH was 5.38. I did a multi-step mash with very good temperature control. I mashed out at 165 for 20 minutes. I decided not to squeeze the bag after the mash this time, and just let it drip. I have read a study online that showed that beers are slightly more cloudy when the bag is squeezed, although there is no real difference in flavor or color. Any suggestions to improve my brewhouse efficiency? Should I just squeeze the bag every time? Should I not worry so much and just use more grain next time?
Thanks.