Title: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shane Phelan on April 26, 2013, 11:39:31 AM
Post by: Shane Phelan on April 26, 2013, 11:39:31 AM
- Given that there are several threads and multiple posts on the barrel project I thought I would summarise everything here and keep it updated as other threads change.
South Dublin Brewers Barrel Project Imperial Porter
13-F Russian Imperial Stout
Author: rossa
Date: 16/04/2013
Size: 20.0 L @ 20 °C
Efficiency: 60% (Note this will be different for everyone system)
Attenuation: 75.0%
Calories: 331.2 kcal per 12.0 fl oz
Original Gravity: 1.098 (1.075 - 1.115)
Terminal Gravity: 1.025 (1.018 - 1.030)
Color: 72.82 (59.1 - 78.8 )
Alcohol: 9.81% (8.0% - 12.0%)
Bitterness: 146.1 (50.0 - 90.0)
Ingredients:
8.0 kg (71.1%) Pale Ale Malt - added during mash
1 kg (8.9%) Amber Malt - added during mash
1 kg (8.9%) Brown Malt - added during mash
.5 kg (4.4%) Crystal 55 - added during mash
.5 kg (4.4%) Chocolate Malt - added during mash
.250 kg (2.2%) Black Malt - added during mash
40 g (21.1%) Magnum (14.1%) - added during boil, boiled 90 m
150 g (78.9%) East Kent Goldings (7.2%) - added during boil, boiled 20 m
2.0 ea Fermentis US-05 Safale US-05
Recipe Targets Rough guidelines, suggest corrections where appropriate
Mash temp 150oF/oC66 for 90 Minutes
Pre Boil gravity 1.095
Post Boil gravity 1.098
Terminal Gravity 1.025
The Contributers
1. Paddy Bubbles - 14.5L @ 1.098 - 14L @ 1.098
2. Shiny - 34 litres - 23L @ 1.097 - 21L @ 1.093
3. Shanna - 34 litres - 23L @ 1.0??
4. Cider head - 25 litres - 24L @ 1.099
5. Rossa - 20 litres - B??
6. Beerfly - 20L - 20L @ 1.090
7. AndrewL - 20L - 21L @ 1.099
8. McGrath - 20L - 20L @ 1.095
Total in fermenters: 179L
The Schedule
Fill Barrel - 1st June
Sample 1 - 1st July
Sample 2 - 1st August
Sample 3 - 1st September
Sample 4 - 1st October
Sample 5 - 1st November
Bottling - 1st December
Competition - Club Entry to Brewing Competition March 2014
Tips
Temperature,
- Be careful of grain temperature when doing calculations, I let the grain get up to room temperature to reduce the required strike temp
- Over estimate strike temp, its easier to stir (or add ice)and reduce the temperature
- If you undershoot you wont have room to add boiling water so make a decoction
- Make sure to scrub your elements between brews if you are doing more than one, scorching can occur quickly at this gravity
Hops,
- Adjust your Hop AA values where necessary
- Magnum is going to be less than 14% as its more than 6 months old
- EKG AA is normally 5.2% rather than 7.2%
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on April 26, 2013, 12:06:32 PM
Post by: Bubbles on April 26, 2013, 12:06:32 PM
Good idea. Can you update the 1st post above with my brew days - 5th, 6th May?
Ta.
Ta.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Rossa on April 26, 2013, 02:40:59 PM
Post by: Rossa on April 26, 2013, 02:40:59 PM
I hope to brew all my batches on the May bank holiday weekend . Hopefully two in one day with the third the next. Gonna be messy! If you have issues with your mash tun size you could use two mash tuns and split the grain. 11.25kg of grain will take up a bucket of over 35l @2.5l/kg. Two mash tuns may be the way of you only have a 30l bucket . It might also mean boiling for longer to get the volume down but it may increase efficiency too....plus more mess!
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: andrewL46 on April 26, 2013, 04:34:52 PM
Post by: andrewL46 on April 26, 2013, 04:34:52 PM
Ok, I'm gonna order up what I need and hopefully brew next Friday (3 May)
According to website, HBC are out of EKG! What's the story there?
For pale malt are we using Maris Otter or Mild ale malt?
Is the Crystal 55 EBC or lovibond? Closest the HBC have is C60 EBC
According to website, HBC are out of EKG! What's the story there?
For pale malt are we using Maris Otter or Mild ale malt?
Is the Crystal 55 EBC or lovibond? Closest the HBC have is C60 EBC
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shane Phelan on April 26, 2013, 04:47:43 PM
Post by: Shane Phelan on April 26, 2013, 04:47:43 PM
I put in a fairly massive order for 10kg of EKG a few days ago. Someone should be able to sort you out, have a look at the thread in the Capital Brewers forum.
I wasn't sure about the crystal either so I was just going to go for the C60 EBC as you have suggested and Maris Otter. It wont matter if we all have different pale malts, if anything it will add a bit of complexity to the brew which can only be a good thing.
I wasn't sure about the crystal either so I was just going to go for the C60 EBC as you have suggested and Maris Otter. It wont matter if we all have different pale malts, if anything it will add a bit of complexity to the brew which can only be a good thing.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on April 26, 2013, 05:02:17 PM
Post by: Bubbles on April 26, 2013, 05:02:17 PM
Quote from: andrewL46 on April 26, 2013, 04:34:52 PMAccording to website, HBC are out of EKG! What's the story there?
Pellets too?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on April 26, 2013, 05:46:34 PM
Post by: Shanna on April 26, 2013, 05:46:34 PM
Big thanks to Ciderhead who delivered the barrel to Blackrock this afternoon, much to the delight of my son.
And we are off.
Regards,
Declan
And we are off.
Regards,
Declan
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: andrewL46 on April 26, 2013, 07:43:38 PM
Post by: andrewL46 on April 26, 2013, 07:43:38 PM
Quote from: shiny on April 26, 2013, 04:47:43 PMCiderhead sorting me out on the EKG.
I put in a fairly massive order for 10kg of EKG a few days ago. Someone should be able to sort you out
Rest of the bits are ordered and hope to brew next friday depending on when the hops arrive.
Went with Crystal 60EBC in the end
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on April 26, 2013, 08:34:57 PM
Post by: Shanna on April 26, 2013, 08:34:57 PM
Got a bit carried away ordering speciality malts a few days ago. Delivery arrived to the office today and got some funny looks when I opened the box. Anyway I have everything thing I need except my sight tubes that are arriving next week. Roll on the bank holiday weekend.
Shanna
Shanna
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on April 28, 2013, 11:21:43 AM
Post by: Bubbles on April 28, 2013, 11:21:43 AM
Shanna, if you get stuck for anything, just give me a shout.
Looking forward to getting my brews on too, with a little bit of trepidation. A 150g hop addition?!?!?!? Holy f............. :o
Looking forward to getting my brews on too, with a little bit of trepidation. A 150g hop addition?!?!?!? Holy f............. :o
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on April 28, 2013, 01:39:47 PM
Post by: Shanna on April 28, 2013, 01:39:47 PM
Hi Paddy B
Turns out I miscalculated on the amount of black and chocolate malt that I had. Would need about .25kg and .5kg respectively of both if you can spare.
Shanna
Turns out I miscalculated on the amount of black and chocolate malt that I had. Would need about .25kg and .5kg respectively of both if you can spare.
Shanna
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on April 28, 2013, 01:57:27 PM
Post by: Bubbles on April 28, 2013, 01:57:27 PM
Hey. No problem on the black malt, but I don't have that much spare chocolate malt unfortunately.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shane Phelan on April 28, 2013, 02:04:32 PM
Post by: Shane Phelan on April 28, 2013, 02:04:32 PM
I will probably have enough spare chocolate/black malt to cover you Shanna. I will know for sure when my ingredients arrive.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on April 28, 2013, 03:28:43 PM
Post by: Shanna on April 28, 2013, 03:28:43 PM
Hi Shiny
Did you get sorted for the malt or do you need me to bring you that 10kg bag?
Shanna
Did you get sorted for the malt or do you need me to bring you that 10kg bag?
Shanna
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shane Phelan on April 28, 2013, 03:32:05 PM
Post by: Shane Phelan on April 28, 2013, 03:32:05 PM
Yeah sorry, got sorted in the end. Do you not need it yourself?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on April 28, 2013, 03:51:09 PM
Post by: Bubbles on April 28, 2013, 03:51:09 PM
Shanna, quick update. Just checked and I do have the chocolate malt after all - however, there's a catch. It's whole malt, and I don't have a mill. Do you?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: andrewL46 on April 28, 2013, 07:18:51 PM
Post by: andrewL46 on April 28, 2013, 07:18:51 PM
Quote from: Bubbles on April 28, 2013, 03:51:09 PMLads I have a mill if ya need to call over and use it!
I don't have a mill. Do you?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on April 28, 2013, 07:45:54 PM
Post by: Shanna on April 28, 2013, 07:45:54 PM
Yes I have a hand operated crappy mill but it grinds so I can use it. I wont need much and I can exchange it for someother stuff.
Shanna
Shanna
Quote from: Bubbles on April 28, 2013, 03:51:09 PM
Shanna, quick update. Just checked and I do have the chocolate malt after all - however, there's a catch. It's whole malt, and I don't have a mill. Do you?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on April 28, 2013, 09:06:38 PM
Post by: Shanna on April 28, 2013, 09:06:38 PM
Shiny
I also have a 25 kg bag that I just opened today. 11.5 kg of grain is a lot of grain and I could not see myself being able to stir this amount of grain with a plastic or even a metal spoon. So I made the barrel a new oak friend (see attached picture). In keeping with our Russian named barrel (Rasputin) "say hello to my little friend" - Alexei Nikolaevich.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexei_Nikolaevich,_Tsarevich_of_Russia in case you don't get the reference.
Shanna
I also have a 25 kg bag that I just opened today. 11.5 kg of grain is a lot of grain and I could not see myself being able to stir this amount of grain with a plastic or even a metal spoon. So I made the barrel a new oak friend (see attached picture). In keeping with our Russian named barrel (Rasputin) "say hello to my little friend" - Alexei Nikolaevich.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexei_Nikolaevich,_Tsarevich_of_Russia in case you don't get the reference.
Shanna
Quote from: shiny on April 28, 2013, 03:32:05 PM
Yeah sorry, got sorted in the end. Do you not need it yourself?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on April 28, 2013, 09:43:14 PM
Post by: Bubbles on April 28, 2013, 09:43:14 PM
Barrelabdpaddy.jpg? You sure you've named him correctly? :-[
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on April 28, 2013, 09:44:49 PM
Post by: Bubbles on April 28, 2013, 09:44:49 PM
Quote from: andrewL46 on April 28, 2013, 07:18:51 PMQuote from: Bubbles on April 28, 2013, 03:51:09 PMLads I have a mill if ya need to call over and use it!
I don't have a mill. Do you?
Thanks for the offer Andrew.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shane Phelan on April 28, 2013, 10:14:16 PM
Post by: Shane Phelan on April 28, 2013, 10:14:16 PM
Quote from: Shanna on April 28, 2013, 09:06:38 PM
11.5 kg of grain is a lot of grain and I could not see myself being able to stir this amount of grain with a plastic or even a metal spoon. So I made the barrel a new oak friend (see attached picture). In keeping with our Russian named barrel (Rasputin) "say hello to my little friend" - Alexei Nikolaevich.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexei_Nikolaevich,_Tsarevich_of_Russia in case you don't get the reference.
Shanna
I used to stir with a plastic spoon, its almost pointless with imperial stouts which are like cement with all the grain. I upgraded recently. :D
(http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/4475/20130428220845.jpg)
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: mcgrath on May 01, 2013, 10:41:34 AM
Post by: mcgrath on May 01, 2013, 10:41:34 AM
Hi Lads,
I put my brew on last night. Got 20L with OG 1.095.
Couple of things I learned from this brew::
1. Its hard to mix so much grain. The dough in took a lot longer than I expected. And it's hard work. Line up a partner if possible. It takes up a lot of space too.
2. The Hop break was insane. Got caught out and had a horrible sticky clean up.
3. You loose a lot of liquid with so much hops.
Hope thats of help to someone...
Cheers,
Ciaran
I put my brew on last night. Got 20L with OG 1.095.
Couple of things I learned from this brew::
1. Its hard to mix so much grain. The dough in took a lot longer than I expected. And it's hard work. Line up a partner if possible. It takes up a lot of space too.
2. The Hop break was insane. Got caught out and had a horrible sticky clean up.
3. You loose a lot of liquid with so much hops.
Hope thats of help to someone...
Cheers,
Ciaran
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 01, 2013, 02:07:09 PM
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 01, 2013, 02:07:09 PM
Nice one Ciaran, thanks for the tips. Have you needed to use a blow off tube?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on May 01, 2013, 02:13:52 PM
Post by: Bubbles on May 01, 2013, 02:13:52 PM
Thanks for the heads up Ciaran.
I like the look of that mash tun. Did you convert the rubbermaid yourself? False bottom, I presume?
I like the look of that mash tun. Did you convert the rubbermaid yourself? False bottom, I presume?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Rossa on May 01, 2013, 02:57:03 PM
Post by: Rossa on May 01, 2013, 02:57:03 PM
Pictures for the T machine with #barrelproject
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 2
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 2
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: mcgrath on May 01, 2013, 03:04:13 PM
Post by: mcgrath on May 01, 2013, 03:04:13 PM
Quote from: Bubbles on May 01, 2013, 02:13:52 PMI got a lend of the mash tun from another brewer who got the Rubbermaid from a company in Ireland. The false bottom is made specificly for the Rubbermaid and can be bought in the US. I think it is easy enough to connect to the existing tap in the Rubbermaid. The guy who owns it works for a US company and he times his homebrew orders with his workmates trips to the US. Why do I feel a group buy coming on..... I have to say it works great.
Thanks for the heads up Ciaran.
I like the look of that mash tun. Did you convert the rubbermaid yourself? False bottom, I presume?
"Nice one Ciaran, thanks for the tips. Have you needed to use a blow off tube?"
I put a blow off tube on but finished late last night and it hadn't kicked off when I got up this morning... I'll give an update up when it kicks off..
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Rossa on May 03, 2013, 02:17:31 PM
Post by: Rossa on May 03, 2013, 02:17:31 PM
I have the boil on now. It took a hell of a long time to lauter. In fact it is still draining but I have 35l in the boiler. It took at least 40 mins to drain the last 15 I needed. OG is a little low so I will bump it with about 150g of table sugar.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 03, 2013, 02:30:11 PM
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 03, 2013, 02:30:11 PM
Keep taking pics and throw them into the thread for the nosy people. (I'm not one of them... ::) )
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: mcgrath on May 03, 2013, 03:55:51 PM
Post by: mcgrath on May 03, 2013, 03:55:51 PM
The blow off tube hasn't been necessary yet but its bubbling like a mad thing. I have 13lt of head space anyway. Its the loudest most vigorous fermentation I've had so far. So I'd say it would clean out a bubbler if you weren't looking after it. Away til monday now, so I wont have any more updates on it. Enjoy your brewdays..
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 03, 2013, 03:57:29 PM
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 03, 2013, 03:57:29 PM
Thanks for the update. I'm brewing my two in the morning. There will be pics!
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on May 03, 2013, 09:57:01 PM
Post by: Bubbles on May 03, 2013, 09:57:01 PM
Well, my fermenters are now free. Tomorrow is D-day: Brew #1 for the barrel.
Bring it on!!!! 8)
Bring it on!!!! 8)
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 03, 2013, 10:04:08 PM
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 03, 2013, 10:04:08 PM
I have only ground one bucket load so far...too late to do another one.
(http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/1520/img1068hk.jpg)
(http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/1520/img1068hk.jpg)
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on May 04, 2013, 08:25:33 AM
Post by: Shanna on May 04, 2013, 08:25:33 AM
Hi Shiny
I ground mine using a hand mill like yourself and it took me nearly an hour to do it. I was knackered after it but I felt strangely fulfilled. See attached image.
Shanna
I ground mine using a hand mill like yourself and it took me nearly an hour to do it. I was knackered after it but I felt strangely fulfilled. See attached image.
Shanna
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on May 04, 2013, 08:40:24 AM
Post by: Shanna on May 04, 2013, 08:40:24 AM
Got my sight glasses and thermometers fitted to my boilers last night. Discovered some leaks but should be able to fix them today with a view to doing my first all grain brew tonight. Fortune favours the brave, lucky and the stupid or in this case an idiot like myself doing his first all grain brew with 11.5 kg of grain :-)
Hints, spells or assistance all welcome.
Shanna
Hints, spells or assistance all welcome.
Shanna
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 04, 2013, 11:08:46 AM
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 04, 2013, 11:08:46 AM
I'm half way though grinding the second one. Even with a drill I'm wreaked.
I'm definitely going to use one of these the next time:
(http://www.metals4u.co.uk/resources/files/SL633973.jpg)
First boil of the weekend is well underway, not too far off the numbers with 1.093 pre boil. Given that it was an overnight mash, I'm not as confident that I will hit them again with the second batch today. :-\
I'm definitely going to use one of these the next time:
(http://www.metals4u.co.uk/resources/files/SL633973.jpg)
First boil of the weekend is well underway, not too far off the numbers with 1.093 pre boil. Given that it was an overnight mash, I'm not as confident that I will hit them again with the second batch today. :-\
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 04, 2013, 11:59:59 AM
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 04, 2013, 11:59:59 AM
Ah ffs. That doesn't fill me with motivation to face into the 3rd bucket full of grain. :(
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 04, 2013, 12:24:56 PM
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 04, 2013, 12:24:56 PM
Its ok. Compared to doing with hand like I did for my last imperial stout it isn't too bad. I was just having a moan. :D
I have been distracted by a simultaneous leak/kettle element cut out in the mean time, which conveniently happened on the 89th minute of a 90 minute boil! Didn't even need to fire up the 2nd element. ::)
I have been distracted by a simultaneous leak/kettle element cut out in the mean time, which conveniently happened on the 89th minute of a 90 minute boil! Didn't even need to fire up the 2nd element. ::)
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 04, 2013, 01:25:21 PM
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 04, 2013, 01:25:21 PM
23L @ 1.097 in the fermenter, I overshot and had to add some boiling water half way though to bring it back down. *wipes brow.
Strike water on for 2nd brew.
Strike water on for 2nd brew.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 04, 2013, 11:01:44 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 04, 2013, 11:01:44 PM
And?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 04, 2013, 11:08:58 PM
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 04, 2013, 11:08:58 PM
23L @ 1.097 (SDB) - This Morning
21L @ 1.093 (SDB) - This Afternoon
20L @ 1.096 (CB) - This evening
I am absolutely fucked. My first triple brew day!
*crawls back to boiler from pc....
Edit I also now don't trust my refractometer for anything. All over the place.
21L @ 1.093 (SDB) - This Afternoon
20L @ 1.096 (CB) - This evening
I am absolutely fucked. My first triple brew day!
*crawls back to boiler from pc....
Edit I also now don't trust my refractometer for anything. All over the place.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 05, 2013, 01:27:42 AM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 05, 2013, 01:27:42 AM
Great numbers, Any tips, just ground my grain, omg.
How much water did you use in mt and sparge with?
How much water did you use in mt and sparge with?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Rossa on May 05, 2013, 12:12:08 PM
Post by: Rossa on May 05, 2013, 12:12:08 PM
Quote from: Ciderhead on May 05, 2013, 01:27:42 AM
Great numbers, Any tips, just ground my grain, omg.
How much water did you use in mt and sparge with?
Tips? Pay someone else to brew it. I did two in one day and it took nearly 11 hours. I'm beat today.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 05, 2013, 01:54:46 PM
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 05, 2013, 01:54:46 PM
BeerSmith defaults to 2.5L/kg for the mash. I dialled that back to 2.1L/kg.
With that and a 35L (33L with the lid on correctly, 35L with it on upside-down) mash tun I used 25L (1L less than what BeerSmith recommended) of strike water. If there was still room after that, I added extra water and deducted it from the sparge water.
I didn't put in all the water at first like I usually do, I added ~4L then added a few kg of grain and stirred while keeping the heat on in the HLT/Kettle.
I kept the small water/grain/stir combo going until nearly at the top, took a look at my temperature and then either added the remaining water from the HLT or cold water depending on how close I was to hitting 150oF. There was absolutely no way I was going to start pissing around with decoctions yesterday.
The first mash was overnight and was pretty much bang on, the second one undershot a bit and the 3rd one undershot a lot and had to be topped up with 600g of DME towards the end. The difference in colour between the South and Capital brews is very striking, I actually thought I had accidentally added too much black malt when I was taking the first runnings. The CB is definitely the darkest beer I have ever made, its like crude oil. The South Dublin one smelled absolutely amazing, I have never used brown malt before. I'm really excited to see how they turn out!
You wont be able to convince me to ever do a triple brew day (or even a double) again. I'm still not the same today after it.
With that and a 35L (33L with the lid on correctly, 35L with it on upside-down) mash tun I used 25L (1L less than what BeerSmith recommended) of strike water. If there was still room after that, I added extra water and deducted it from the sparge water.
I didn't put in all the water at first like I usually do, I added ~4L then added a few kg of grain and stirred while keeping the heat on in the HLT/Kettle.
I kept the small water/grain/stir combo going until nearly at the top, took a look at my temperature and then either added the remaining water from the HLT or cold water depending on how close I was to hitting 150oF. There was absolutely no way I was going to start pissing around with decoctions yesterday.
The first mash was overnight and was pretty much bang on, the second one undershot a bit and the 3rd one undershot a lot and had to be topped up with 600g of DME towards the end. The difference in colour between the South and Capital brews is very striking, I actually thought I had accidentally added too much black malt when I was taking the first runnings. The CB is definitely the darkest beer I have ever made, its like crude oil. The South Dublin one smelled absolutely amazing, I have never used brown malt before. I'm really excited to see how they turn out!
You wont be able to convince me to ever do a triple brew day (or even a double) again. I'm still not the same today after it.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on May 05, 2013, 03:48:38 PM
Post by: Bubbles on May 05, 2013, 03:48:38 PM
The amount of brewing that's going on is epic. I did a double brew day at Christmas time and I was a basket case at the end of it. Too much like hard work, never again.
I've just started my second mash. The wort is so thick it coats the back of the spoon. It's like soup! :)
I've just started my second mash. The wort is so thick it coats the back of the spoon. It's like soup! :)
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on May 05, 2013, 04:33:39 PM
Post by: Shanna on May 05, 2013, 04:33:39 PM
This is beginning to feel like brewing porn ;D I did my first ever all grain brew last night. Despite using beer smith I ended up with 18 ltrs of wort from my boiler with an og of 1.10. I topped it up with about three to four litres of cold water to be give an og of around 1.090. I think I could have used more sparge water. I used a drill and a tile grout mixing attachment to mix in the grain with the help of a neighbour, I was around 1/2 degree below the strike temperature. This was also the first time I used my mash tun, hlt and boiler and my new solar fan. Delighted to say that every thing worked as expected. I had a nervous few moments when I saw wort dribbling from the underside of the mash tun but it was nothing really.
Main thing I learned was that leaf hops are a nightmare as the kettle showed a quantity of 23 litres but this was not taking in the account the soakage and the displacement effect of the hops. Nevertheless I pretty much got the desired outcome, all the equipment worked, nobody was maimed and I might even get some beer out of it.
The smell of the beer was really nice although not I sure I like it permanently in my shed. From start to finish including cleaning took 7 hours 30 minutes. This included 1/2 hour of panic at 2:40am when I figured out the attachment for the kitchen tap to connect the immersion chiller had disappeared. I searched and searched but no luck. Ended up having to do the chilling in the dark via torch light in my back garden using two buckets. Torture really but It worked.
Pitched two dried packs of yeast @04:00 and spent half an hour washing out my equipment. Went to bed just as the dawn started to appear.
Shanna
Main thing I learned was that leaf hops are a nightmare as the kettle showed a quantity of 23 litres but this was not taking in the account the soakage and the displacement effect of the hops. Nevertheless I pretty much got the desired outcome, all the equipment worked, nobody was maimed and I might even get some beer out of it.
The smell of the beer was really nice although not I sure I like it permanently in my shed. From start to finish including cleaning took 7 hours 30 minutes. This included 1/2 hour of panic at 2:40am when I figured out the attachment for the kitchen tap to connect the immersion chiller had disappeared. I searched and searched but no luck. Ended up having to do the chilling in the dark via torch light in my back garden using two buckets. Torture really but It worked.
Pitched two dried packs of yeast @04:00 and spent half an hour washing out my equipment. Went to bed just as the dawn started to appear.
Shanna
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 05, 2013, 11:48:45 PM
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 05, 2013, 11:48:45 PM
Shanna that sounds awesome! That sounds like a pretty damn successful first run with your new equipment.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on May 06, 2013, 08:10:34 AM
Post by: Shanna on May 06, 2013, 08:10:34 AM
Hi Shiny
What is this item and how does it work?
Shanna
What is this item and how does it work?
Shanna
Quote from: shiny on May 04, 2013, 11:08:46 AM
I'm half way though grinding the second one. Even with a drill I'm wreaked.
I'm definitely going to use one of these the next time:
(http://www.metals4u.co.uk/resources/files/SL633973.jpg)
First boil of the weekend is well underway, not too far off the numbers with 1.093 pre boil. Given that it was an overnight mash, I'm not as confident that I will hit them again with the second batch today. :-\
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 06, 2013, 10:49:37 AM
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 06, 2013, 10:49:37 AM
Its an extension for a drill. My wrist was in bits from the vibrations when I was grinding the grain on Saturday. If I put the flexible extension in between the drill and the grinder then that should reduce the vibration.
There probably wouldn't be any vibrations if I had a perfectly centered bolt where the handle used to be.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
There probably wouldn't be any vibrations if I had a perfectly centered bolt where the handle used to be.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 06, 2013, 12:21:31 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 06, 2013, 12:21:31 PM
Shiny can you update front page
24 litres 1.099
Do we have enough?
p.s. thats wicklow on the top bunk ;D
Sent from my mediocre phone and an average phone app
24 litres 1.099
Do we have enough?
p.s. thats wicklow on the top bunk ;D
Sent from my mediocre phone and an average phone app
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 06, 2013, 12:40:24 PM
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 06, 2013, 12:40:24 PM
Done. You didn't do too badly with the numbers yourself!
I see you have nice temperature control there. All my fermentations are producing a lot of heat, I'm having trouble keeping them below 22. Normally they sit nicely at 18....
I see you have nice temperature control there. All my fermentations are producing a lot of heat, I'm having trouble keeping them below 22. Normally they sit nicely at 18....
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on May 06, 2013, 01:57:47 PM
Post by: Bubbles on May 06, 2013, 01:57:47 PM
Lads, just bear in mind that what we have in the fermenter is not what we're going to be transferring to the barrel, after losses to trub.
I have around 29 litres in my two FVs so I can get 27 litres into the barrel, if it turns out we're short.
When the dust settles a little, we also need to work out losses, top-ups, transfer to barrel (dates and other details), arrangements for bottling etc.
I have around 29 litres in my two FVs so I can get 27 litres into the barrel, if it turns out we're short.
When the dust settles a little, we also need to work out losses, top-ups, transfer to barrel (dates and other details), arrangements for bottling etc.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on May 07, 2013, 11:34:32 AM
Post by: Bubbles on May 07, 2013, 11:34:32 AM
Lads, I presume everyone has done their brews at this stage?
If you haven't already done so, can you confirm your volumes and gravities on this thread and Shiny can update?
Ta.
If you haven't already done so, can you confirm your volumes and gravities on this thread and Shiny can update?
Ta.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 07, 2013, 11:44:32 AM
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 07, 2013, 11:44:32 AM
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on May 07, 2013, 12:22:11 PM
Post by: Bubbles on May 07, 2013, 12:22:11 PM
:)
I didn't put it on Twitter. I was too tired. And a little fuzzy from all the congratulatory beers I was sipping.
14 litres at 1.098 for batch#2. I reckon I'll get just over 26 litres into the barrel, if needed.
I didn't put it on Twitter. I was too tired. And a little fuzzy from all the congratulatory beers I was sipping.
14 litres at 1.098 for batch#2. I reckon I'll get just over 26 litres into the barrel, if needed.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on May 08, 2013, 09:00:59 AM
Post by: Shanna on May 08, 2013, 09:00:59 AM
23 litres in the fermenter hope to get 20 litres in the secondary. Have the grain for a 2nd batch ground and ready to go. Hope to be able to get it done in about 10 days time around the 17th. Cutting it tight but if it is not done my 2nd batch can be used for top up.
Shanna
Shanna
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 08, 2013, 02:19:12 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 08, 2013, 02:19:12 PM
Us05 turning out to be a bit of a plodder plenty of machine gun fire as can be seen from star san bubbles just not the rocket I had using 004 for the Wicklow which nearly blew the lid off.
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Sent from my mediocre phone and an average phone app
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on May 08, 2013, 02:25:02 PM
Post by: Bubbles on May 08, 2013, 02:25:02 PM
Quote from: Ciderhead on May 08, 2013, 02:19:12 PMUs05 turning out to be a bit of a plodder plenty of machine gun fire as can be seen from star san bubbles just not the rocket I had using 004 for the Wicklow which nearly blew the lid off.
Bleurgh. You can keep that S-04. Dreadful stuff imo. :P
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 08, 2013, 03:47:40 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 08, 2013, 03:47:40 PM
No darling 004 or wlp004 to give it its full name is Irish ale yeast, only the very best for Wicklow ;-)
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Sent from my mediocre phone and an average phone app
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on May 08, 2013, 04:05:26 PM
Post by: Bubbles on May 08, 2013, 04:05:26 PM
Ah.. well the proof will be in the drinking, won't it?! 8)
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 08, 2013, 04:20:58 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 08, 2013, 04:20:58 PM
Lmfaool indeedy!
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Sent from my mediocre phone and an average phone app
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Rossa on May 08, 2013, 05:03:36 PM
Post by: Rossa on May 08, 2013, 05:03:36 PM
Quote from: Ciderhead on May 08, 2013, 03:47:40 PM
No darling 004 or wlp004 to give it its full name is Irish ale yeast, only the very best for Wicklow ;-)
Sent from my mediocre phone and an average phone app
After 5 days my 5-05 beer is still going but the Wlp 004 which went bonkers until now has all but stopped. Haven't tested either yet.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 08, 2013, 05:35:20 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 08, 2013, 05:35:20 PM
Hope 004 isn't all fur and no knickers!
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Sent from my mediocre phone and an average phone app
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Rossa on May 08, 2013, 08:48:47 PM
Post by: Rossa on May 08, 2013, 08:48:47 PM
Quote from: Ciderhead on May 08, 2013, 05:35:20 PM
Hope 004 isn't all fur and no knickers!
Sent from my mediocre phone and an average phone app
Me too !
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: andrewL46 on May 08, 2013, 10:05:59 PM
Post by: andrewL46 on May 08, 2013, 10:05:59 PM
Grain's crushed, ready to go first thing in the morning!!
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on May 09, 2013, 10:29:04 AM
Post by: Bubbles on May 09, 2013, 10:29:04 AM
Great stuff Andrew. Let us know how you go.
Oh, and don't get your yeasts mixed up... We don't want any of that "WLPS04" shite in the South Dublin Barrel.... ;) :D
Oh, and don't get your yeasts mixed up... We don't want any of that "WLPS04" shite in the South Dublin Barrel.... ;) :D
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: andrewL46 on May 09, 2013, 01:22:46 PM
Post by: andrewL46 on May 09, 2013, 01:22:46 PM
All done, except clean up. Didnt go too bad considering i dove straight into it after
coming home from a night shift. Pretty shattered now.
No real feck ups, and the right yeasties have just been pitched, came in a little short
on OG and had to add a little bit of DME, surprised though cos my efficiency wasnt as
bad on the Bray beer. Anyway came in bang on 1.099 with around 21L in carboy.
Hard to tell if its gonna rocket off like the Bray one, lost a good bit with that one.
South Dublin on bottom, aerating the shite outta it!! ;)
(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s309/andrewl46/null_zps25fb185b.jpg) (http://s155.photobucket.com/user/andrewl46/media/null_zps25fb185b.jpg.html)
coming home from a night shift. Pretty shattered now.
No real feck ups, and the right yeasties have just been pitched, came in a little short
on OG and had to add a little bit of DME, surprised though cos my efficiency wasnt as
bad on the Bray beer. Anyway came in bang on 1.099 with around 21L in carboy.
Hard to tell if its gonna rocket off like the Bray one, lost a good bit with that one.
South Dublin on bottom, aerating the shite outta it!! ;)
(http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s309/andrewl46/null_zps25fb185b.jpg) (http://s155.photobucket.com/user/andrewl46/media/null_zps25fb185b.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on May 09, 2013, 01:35:06 PM
Post by: Bubbles on May 09, 2013, 01:35:06 PM
Great job andrew, thanks for updating.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 09, 2013, 01:37:59 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 09, 2013, 01:37:59 PM
I have glass carboys but thought better of it and used the buckets instead, they will be ok for secondary.
The US05 is a real plodder and you wont have anything like the issues of the 004, mines still workong like a little trojan and pop pop popping this morning.
The US05 is a real plodder and you wont have anything like the issues of the 004, mines still workong like a little trojan and pop pop popping this morning.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 09, 2013, 02:02:13 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 09, 2013, 02:02:13 PM
Quote from: Bubbles on May 09, 2013, 10:29:04 AM
Oh, and don't get your yeasts mixed up... We don't want any of that "WLPS04" shite in the South Dublin Barrel.... ;) :D
I'm pissing in mine for that comment now ;D
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on May 09, 2013, 02:35:16 PM
Post by: Bubbles on May 09, 2013, 02:35:16 PM
Quote from: Ciderhead on May 09, 2013, 02:02:13 PM;DQuote from: Bubbles on May 09, 2013, 10:29:04 AM
Oh, and don't get your yeasts mixed up... We don't want any of that "WLPS04" shite in the South Dublin Barrel.... ;) :D
I'm pissing in mine for that comment now ;D
Just get a piss gravity reading first - I want to make sure we're still around the 1098 mark...
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on May 09, 2013, 02:41:57 PM
Post by: Bubbles on May 09, 2013, 02:41:57 PM
Quote from: Ciderhead on May 09, 2013, 01:37:59 PMThe US05 is a real plodder
+1
It is a bit of a plodder on first pitch, but it's like lightening on subsequent pitches, I find. I love re-pitching US-05 slurry - I've just bottled an 8% IPA which was fermented with about 400ml of thick US-05 slurry and it was done in 3 or 4 days. Fantastic.
It's also extremely attenuative, which is one of the reasons why it's perfect for a 10% stout. I'm led to believe it's even slightly more attenuative than it's liquid equivalents (like WLP001) which are no slouches in the attenuation department themselves.
(Edit: Just to allay any fears, my pitches for the barrel porter were freshly opened and rehydrated sachets!! Which is why they're also plodding along. :) )
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 09, 2013, 04:14:16 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 09, 2013, 04:14:16 PM
Quote from: Bubbles on May 09, 2013, 02:35:16 PMQuote from: Ciderhead on May 09, 2013, 02:02:13 PM;DQuote from: Bubbles on May 09, 2013, 10:29:04 AM
Oh, and don't get your yeasts mixed up... We don't want any of that "WLPS04" shite in the South Dublin Barrel.... ;) :D
I'm pissing in mine for that comment now ;D
Just get a piss gravity reading first - I want to make sure we're still around the 1098 mark...
it was 1300 last time I measured, that was after I drank some of the contents from the barrel mind.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 09, 2013, 04:18:34 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 09, 2013, 04:18:34 PM
Quote from: Bubbles on May 09, 2013, 02:41:57 PMQuote from: Ciderhead on May 09, 2013, 01:37:59 PMThe US05 is a real plodder
+1
It is a bit of a plodder on first pitch, but it's like lightening on subsequent pitches, I find. I love re-pitching US-05 slurry - I've just bottled an 8% IPA which was fermented with about 400ml of thick US-05 slurry and it was done in 3 or 4 days. Fantastic.
Yeast from high gravity beers is usually binned as its shot right?
From Wyeast
"Yeast harvested from a high gravity fermentation will be in poor health and should not be used in subsequent fermentations."
Of course they have a vested interest.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on May 09, 2013, 05:14:45 PM
Post by: Bubbles on May 09, 2013, 05:14:45 PM
Quote from: Ciderhead on May 09, 2013, 04:18:34 PMYeast from high gravity beers is usually binned as its shot right?
Yes.
I'd routinely repitch slurry (without washing it) from beers around the 1.050 mark. Anything higher than that, and I now tend to chuck it. I certainly wouldn't re-pitch from our 10% barrel porter. The yeast are completely knackered at that point.
The same is said to apply to very hoppy beers. The hop resins coat the yeast cells and decrease their viability. It's never been an issue for me, however - I always repitch yeast from hop bombs.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: mcgrath on May 09, 2013, 10:44:06 PM
Post by: mcgrath on May 09, 2013, 10:44:06 PM
Was going to stick a red ale on the slurry. Will have to rethink now. Cheers...
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Will_D on May 09, 2013, 11:00:11 PM
Post by: Will_D on May 09, 2013, 11:00:11 PM
Sorry guys, but a bit of science:
Yeast cells are either viable or not ( just like old farts like me - they can either reproduce or not )!!
So consider a HA yeast strain that has been stressed by doing the RIS, some cells are dying but natural selection has endowed a few cells with supper powers! ( This is how Darwinian Selection Works )
So grow up a new starter from your cells and you may well have a new strain of super yeast?
After all where have the Turbo yeast strains come from?
How did some house strains of yeast achieve 6 or 7% alcohol when the norm was 3.5%?
Yeast cells are either viable or not ( just like old farts like me - they can either reproduce or not )!!
So consider a HA yeast strain that has been stressed by doing the RIS, some cells are dying but natural selection has endowed a few cells with supper powers! ( This is how Darwinian Selection Works )
So grow up a new starter from your cells and you may well have a new strain of super yeast?
After all where have the Turbo yeast strains come from?
How did some house strains of yeast achieve 6 or 7% alcohol when the norm was 3.5%?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: mcgrath on May 10, 2013, 02:33:00 PM
Post by: mcgrath on May 10, 2013, 02:33:00 PM
Quote from: Will_D on May 09, 2013, 11:00:11 PMI'll throw the ale on it and see what happens...
Sorry guys, but a bit of science:
Yeast cells are either viable or not ( just like old farts like me - they can either reproduce or not )!!
So consider a HA yeast strain that has been stressed by doing the RIS, some cells are dying but natural selection has endowed a few cells with supper powers! ( This is how Darwinian Selection Works )
So grow up a new starter from your cells and you may well have a new strain of super yeast?
After all where have the Turbo yeast strains come from?
How did some house strains of yeast achieve 6 or 7% alcohol when the norm was 3.5%?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on May 11, 2013, 03:14:42 PM
Post by: Bubbles on May 11, 2013, 03:14:42 PM
You'll probably be grand but I wouldn't use the whole yeast cake as you'll be dumping a lot of dead yeast cells into your red ale.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 11, 2013, 11:17:13 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 11, 2013, 11:17:13 PM
Am curious how this turns out as everything I've read says it should go tits up or will have no bearing to the original yeast profile.
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Sent from my mediocre phone and an average phone app
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: mcgrath on May 13, 2013, 02:14:59 PM
Post by: mcgrath on May 13, 2013, 02:14:59 PM
Quote from: Ciderhead on May 11, 2013, 11:17:13 PMI'll be putting a porter which i used notty and the barrell brew both into secondary tomorrow. I will do the red ale the same eve. I think i will split the ale into two batches and use the two diff yeasts to see what difference they make on the ale. I wont use the full yeast cake tho, just a scoop from each. Might help me decide which yeast I prefer for future brews..
Am curious how this turns out as everything I've read says it should go tits up or will have no bearing to the original yeast profile.
Sent from my mediocre phone and an average phone app
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 13, 2013, 02:55:43 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 13, 2013, 02:55:43 PM
Pushing the frontiers of Yeast research in SCD ;)
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 13, 2013, 10:04:09 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 13, 2013, 10:04:09 PM
Bless me father for I have created a monster, just measured tonight at 1010, so according to Beersmith 11.81...gulp.
Tastes bloody good too!
Tastes bloody good too!
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on May 13, 2013, 10:23:08 PM
Post by: Shanna on May 13, 2013, 10:23:08 PM
Just took a gravity reading and its showing 1.020 approx 9.5%. I reckon if I transfer to a secondary it will drop even further. Anyway happy to report a coffee taste and aroma with strong alcohol after taste but not over powering. Going to do another 20 litre batch this weekend.
Shanna
Shanna
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on May 14, 2013, 11:07:36 AM
Post by: Bubbles on May 14, 2013, 11:07:36 AM
Quote from: Ciderhead on May 13, 2013, 10:04:09 PM
Bless me father for I have created a monster, just measured tonight at 1010, so according to Beersmith 11.81...gulp.
Tastes bloody good too!
Wow! How did you manage to get it down to 1.010? I'd be expecting something more like Shanna's FG of 1.020.
Must take a reading myself this week. Both of my fermenters are now quiet, kreusen completely dropped out. Smells absolutely fantastic.
I guess we should start discussing suitable dates for barrel transfer etc.?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on May 14, 2013, 07:58:35 PM
Post by: Shanna on May 14, 2013, 07:58:35 PM
Guys several posts (on other sites) I have read suggests that transferring to a secondary is unnecessary and increases the risk of infection so I am a bit unsure of this. I have used a secondary only once before and it was similar to the the fg I have for the Russian imperial stout e.g. 1.020 that dropped down to 1.010 after a week in the secondary. Only reason I am thinking of doing it is to reduce the yeast load in the barrel.
Speaking of which was thinking when loading up the barrel would it be better to get all the beer in my garage and leave for a few days before transferring to the barrel to give any remaining yeast time to settle.
Shanna
Speaking of which was thinking when loading up the barrel would it be better to get all the beer in my garage and leave for a few days before transferring to the barrel to give any remaining yeast time to settle.
Shanna
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 14, 2013, 08:04:33 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 14, 2013, 08:04:33 PM
Quote from: Bubbles on May 14, 2013, 11:07:36 AMQuote from: Ciderhead on May 13, 2013, 10:04:09 PM
Bless me father for I have created a monster, just measured tonight at 1010, so according to Beersmith 11.81...gulp.
Tastes bloody good too!
Wow! How did you manage to get it down to 1.010? I'd be expecting something more like Shanna's FG of 1.020.
Must take a reading myself this week. Both of my fermenters are now quiet, kreusen completely dropped out. Smells absolutely fantastic.
I guess we should start discussing suitable dates for barrel transfer etc.?
I cheated, I have never hydrated US05 before just sprinkled, 2 packets and I got 75% of the slurry of it, I was reading about what our US colleagues do for RIS and adding more yeast 2-3 days into fermentation is popular to give it an extra shot in the arm, so in I sprinkled in a 3rd packet.
I have to note it is important to maintain sweetness to offset the bitterness but had a proper taste tonight and its lovely.
Thats the only reason I can think of, its pretty much finished now as I measured again tonight and it hasn't budged, same again tomorrow night.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on May 14, 2013, 08:11:25 PM
Post by: Bubbles on May 14, 2013, 08:11:25 PM
Quote from: Shanna on May 14, 2013, 07:58:35 PM
Guys several posts (on other sites) I have read suggests that transferring to a secondary is unnecessary and increases the risk of infection so I am a bit unsure of this. I have used a secondary only once before and it was similar to the the fg I have for the Russian imperial stout e.g. 1.020 that dropped down to 1.010 after a week in the secondary. Only reason I am thinking of doing it is to reduce the yeast load in the barrel.
Speaking of which was thinking when loading up the barrel would it be better to get all the beer in my garage and leave for a few days before transferring to the barrel to give any remaining yeast time to settle.
Shanna
Racking to secondary shoudn't be any cause for concern. It doesn't increase the risk of infection as long as you are at all scrupulous about your santisation processes. In many cases, it can serve a purpose - it can help yeasty beers clear quicker (yes, even useful in dark beers like stouts) and is good practice when you want to do some extended aging. In our case, it will help to ensure we have a minimum of trub going into the barrel. I hardly ever bother doing it these days, but for this beer I don't particularly want it sitting on a huge cake of shagged-out yeast that have just fermented a 10% monster. I'll definitely be racking as I currently have two batches and it doesn't make sense to transport both batches and as they are, and risk stirring up the huge yeast cakes in both fermenters.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on May 14, 2013, 08:12:48 PM
Post by: Bubbles on May 14, 2013, 08:12:48 PM
Great stuff, Ciderhead. All of the batches were bound to taste slightly different anyway. It'll all taste great in 6 months time!!
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 14, 2013, 08:17:10 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 14, 2013, 08:17:10 PM
Quote from: Shanna on May 14, 2013, 07:58:35 PM
Guys several posts (on other sites) I have read suggests that transferring to a secondary is unnecessary and increases the risk of infection so I am a bit unsure of this. I have used a secondary only once before and it was similar to the the fg I have for the Russian imperial stout e.g. 1.020 that dropped down to 1.010 after a week in the secondary. Only reason I am thinking of doing it is to reduce the yeast load in the barrel.
Speaking of which was thinking when loading up the barrel would it be better to get all the beer in my garage and leave for a few days before transferring to the barrel to give any remaining yeast time to settle.
Shanna
Increasing the risk of infection in a 9-10% beer, I doubt it. The guys that suggest secondary introduces infection operate pretty shitty sanitation regimes imo.
I am used to cleaning like a ... because I brew a lot of pilsners/lagers and I have never ever had an infection in secondary even with 6 weeks in the bucket/carboy.
Secondary for us should be compulsory a)Transport to your gaf and all the disturbance that will cause b) You want to see how much falls out of secondary. the least amount of crap we have falling to the bottom the better. I am putting 24L in, I only expect to get 20 out, have we factored a proportional share for 6-12 months time?
I think the thing to do is show up with buckets and measure out then split that way.
Could I suggest we leave them to you 4-7 days before insertion day, rock up on the day, taste and insert.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on May 14, 2013, 08:31:23 PM
Post by: Shanna on May 14, 2013, 08:31:23 PM
Hi Ciderhead,
I am doing a 2nd batch of approx 20 litres that should put us over the top in terms of 200 litres capacity and give about 6 litres spare for top up. It is only 3% extra so don't know how much the barrel will absorb. If it turns out to be very greedy/thirsty then maybe we do one more brew in the future. I think the deliver and store is a great idea but I wonder will the afternoon shed be okay to store plastic secondaries (hope they should be okay with airlocks in place).
Need to get everybody lined up for delivery/collection and also agree a time when we taste and load this fat boy up.
Shanna
I am doing a 2nd batch of approx 20 litres that should put us over the top in terms of 200 litres capacity and give about 6 litres spare for top up. It is only 3% extra so don't know how much the barrel will absorb. If it turns out to be very greedy/thirsty then maybe we do one more brew in the future. I think the deliver and store is a great idea but I wonder will the afternoon shed be okay to store plastic secondaries (hope they should be okay with airlocks in place).
Need to get everybody lined up for delivery/collection and also agree a time when we taste and load this fat boy up.
Shanna
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 14, 2013, 08:54:16 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 14, 2013, 08:54:16 PM
Quote from: Shanna on May 14, 2013, 08:31:23 PM
Hi Ciderhead,
I am doing a 2nd batch of approx 20 litres that should put us over the top in terms of 200 litres capacity and give about 6 litres spare for top up. It is only 3% extra so don't know how much the barrel will absorb. If it turns out to be very greedy/thirsty then maybe we do one more brew in the future. I think the deliver and store is a great idea but I wonder will the afternoon shed be okay to store plastic secondaries (hope they should be okay with airlocks in place).
Need to get everybody lined up for delivery/collection and also agree a time when we taste and load this fat boy up.
Shanna
I am gonna guess that the barrel will suck in 5-10 litres based on what "fell" out of some of them ;)
The barrels I measured varied between 185-max 200L so we should be good eitherways.
Your shed has air circulation and is cool so should be fine? Have you got supports made yet, do you need a hand?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on May 14, 2013, 09:04:47 PM
Post by: Shanna on May 14, 2013, 09:04:47 PM
Have not made the supports yet. Have 8 ft by 2" by 6" scaffolding boards that I intend to use to make the staves. Will probably make three. Hope to get to it in the next few weeks. Maybe we can knock them up of an evening if you deliver your beer otherwise I will sort it myself. I have a rake of concrete blocks I can use to bolster the staves and also a set of rachet straps. Once this goes down I don't expect it to move for six months and want to make sure that it will take serious interference to budge it.
Shanna
Shanna
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Will_D on May 15, 2013, 11:53:25 PM
Post by: Will_D on May 15, 2013, 11:53:25 PM
Quote from: Shanna on May 14, 2013, 09:04:47 PMFrom the supplied template you only need 2! Make a third and you can't use it!
Have not made the supports yet. Have 8 ft by 2" by 6" scaffolding boards that I intend to use to make the staves. Will probably make three.
Shanna
These will fit the barrel about 6 inches in from the ends. Just match the diameters so that most of the cask touches the stillage!
Raising upo on blocks is a good idea in that you syphon out ot the cask at the end. Some peeps are think of a pump (solar type) for emptying.
Remeber for syphoning in or out a minimum ID for the tube woulkd be 1/2" or 12mm
Happy days are about to happen
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Rossa on May 15, 2013, 11:56:21 PM
Post by: Rossa on May 15, 2013, 11:56:21 PM
My preference would be to corny up my beer and push it into a purged barrel with gas. Less messing about.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on May 16, 2013, 01:19:04 AM
Post by: Shanna on May 16, 2013, 01:19:04 AM
Hi Rossa,
Not sure what you mean by this? Do you want to purge the barrel with CO2 before siphoning the beer in to it?
Shanna
Not sure what you mean by this? Do you want to purge the barrel with CO2 before siphoning the beer in to it?
Shanna
Quote from: Rossa on May 15, 2013, 11:56:21 PM
My preference would be to corny up my beer and push it into a purged barrel with gas. Less messing about.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: andrewL46 on May 16, 2013, 02:45:48 PM
Post by: andrewL46 on May 16, 2013, 02:45:48 PM
Quote from: Rossa on May 15, 2013, 11:56:21 PM
My preference would be to corny up my beer and push it into a purged barrel with gas. Less messing about.
+1 on that, exactly what ive planned.
Fill corny keg after fermentation, then transport and when ready, just push beer out with CO2 into the purged barrel!
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Rossa on May 21, 2013, 04:05:25 PM
Post by: Rossa on May 21, 2013, 04:05:25 PM
Quote from: Shanna on May 16, 2013, 01:19:04 AM
Hi Rossa,
Not sure what you mean by this? Do you want to purge the barrel with CO2 before siphoning the beer in to it?
ShannaQuote from: Rossa on May 15, 2013, 11:56:21 PM
My preference would be to corny up my beer and push it into a purged barrel with gas. Less messing about.
Purge the barrel before use. You should really purge everything the beer comes in contact with once it's fermented.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Will_D on May 21, 2013, 08:58:11 PM
Post by: Will_D on May 21, 2013, 08:58:11 PM
I wouln't waste the gas!
Whiskey, Whisky, Sherry, Port and Fine wines that are all aged in oak for many many years (not 6 months like us) all come into contact with a shed load more O2 than is in the empty barrel.
Remeber that an empty barrel contains 40 gallons of air (20% O2) Fill with 40 gallons of beer and how much O2 is left in the barrel and will disolve into the beer that is also giving off CO2 from being disturbed?
Err about zero!
Now factor in 6 months of "Cask Breathing" and whatever O2 wants to get into the cask will.
Relax, Its a very old fashioned process and rember in the dim distant days they couldn't brew strong beers!
Whiskey, Whisky, Sherry, Port and Fine wines that are all aged in oak for many many years (not 6 months like us) all come into contact with a shed load more O2 than is in the empty barrel.
Remeber that an empty barrel contains 40 gallons of air (20% O2) Fill with 40 gallons of beer and how much O2 is left in the barrel and will disolve into the beer that is also giving off CO2 from being disturbed?
Err about zero!
Now factor in 6 months of "Cask Breathing" and whatever O2 wants to get into the cask will.
Relax, Its a very old fashioned process and rember in the dim distant days they couldn't brew strong beers!
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on May 22, 2013, 07:47:09 AM
Post by: Shanna on May 22, 2013, 07:47:09 AM
I would be with Will on this one as I thought the whole point of this process was to fill the barrel au natural and then let time so it's magic. On an unrelated note I collected of 60+ litres from from both Shiny & Beerfly last night.
Shanna
Shanna
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 22, 2013, 08:21:54 AM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 22, 2013, 08:21:54 AM
Naakid :o, 9% is gonna kill most things right?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 22, 2013, 10:10:18 AM
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 22, 2013, 10:10:18 AM
Quote from: Shanna on May 22, 2013, 07:47:09 AM
I would be with Will on this one as I thought the whole point of this process was to fill the barrel au natural and then let time so it's magic. On an unrelated note I collected of 60+ litres from from both Shiny & Beerfly last night.
Shanna
Thanks again for that Declan. I can't even begin to imagine what sort of misery I would have endured brining them on the Dart!
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 22, 2013, 11:19:49 AM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 22, 2013, 11:19:49 AM
Good man!
Do we have a time and date for the drop in
Weather tone very cold next 5 days,
Do we have a time and date for the drop in
Weather tone very cold next 5 days,
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 22, 2013, 11:25:42 AM
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 22, 2013, 11:25:42 AM
Does the bank holiday Monday suit you Declan or were you planning on filling it earlier than that?
Marathon is on in the city centre that day so it would be great to be going the opposite direction. :)
Marathon is on in the city centre that day so it would be great to be going the opposite direction. :)
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 22, 2013, 11:32:14 AM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 22, 2013, 11:32:14 AM
Damn safari can't see screen at 160km down motorway, never had this issue with Tt.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 22, 2013, 11:35:34 AM
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 22, 2013, 11:35:34 AM
Quote from: Ciderhead on May 22, 2013, 11:32:14 AM
Damn safari can't see screen at 160km down motorway, never had this issue with Tt.
Don't get me started. I have had to permanently sensor myself on that issue.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on May 22, 2013, 09:35:34 PM
Post by: Bubbles on May 22, 2013, 09:35:34 PM
??? I was racking to a secondary fermenter this afternoon and took gravity readings on both my batches. Both look a little high. One came in at 1024 and the other at 1028. Tastes fantastic, but I didn't want to take any chances so I've added some extra rehydrated US05, to see if I can bring it down a couple of points. Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 22, 2013, 09:47:54 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 22, 2013, 09:47:54 PM
having that debate in Wicklow presently, it depends where you started out, you do need an element od sweetness to contra the bitterness and I think that level is 1020-1025 so if I was in your shoes I wouldn't have bothered, can you fish it out ;D
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on May 22, 2013, 09:55:22 PM
Post by: Bubbles on May 22, 2013, 09:55:22 PM
Yeah, I have my net handy here. :)
One batch was spot on 1.098. The other was just slightly over, I think.
I'm sipping a small glass of it now, and it's the best stout I've ever tasted! Bagloads of bitterness in there. If it was just myself, I probably wouldn't be too bothered about being a few points over. But as it's going into the communal barrel, I'm more wary. I'll keep a close eye on it over the next few days and if it takes it down a couple more points, then great. Otherwise, it will be up to the hydrometers and trained palates of the other brewers to decide!
Now, I'm going to go finish this glass.....
One batch was spot on 1.098. The other was just slightly over, I think.
I'm sipping a small glass of it now, and it's the best stout I've ever tasted! Bagloads of bitterness in there. If it was just myself, I probably wouldn't be too bothered about being a few points over. But as it's going into the communal barrel, I'm more wary. I'll keep a close eye on it over the next few days and if it takes it down a couple more points, then great. Otherwise, it will be up to the hydrometers and trained palates of the other brewers to decide!
Now, I'm going to go finish this glass.....
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 22, 2013, 10:20:28 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 22, 2013, 10:20:28 PM
that was finished :)
I remember double checking with Rossa about potentially too much bitterness, amazing how high sweetness and bitterness contra each other yet still kinda come through, add oak and whiskey flavour to that and whay hea!
I remember double checking with Rossa about potentially too much bitterness, amazing how high sweetness and bitterness contra each other yet still kinda come through, add oak and whiskey flavour to that and whay hea!
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on May 22, 2013, 10:39:40 PM
Post by: Bubbles on May 22, 2013, 10:39:40 PM
I'm quite taken aback at how bitter it is! Even in a beer of that gravity. Tastes very promising.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on May 23, 2013, 07:24:32 AM
Post by: Shanna on May 23, 2013, 07:24:32 AM
Hi Ciderhead
Tonight or tomorrow night after 9pm would suit, if necessary pm to sort something else out.
Shanna
Tonight or tomorrow night after 9pm would suit, if necessary pm to sort something else out.
Shanna
Quote from: Ciderhead on May 22, 2013, 11:19:49 AM
Good man!
Do we have a time and date for the drop in
Weather tone very cold next 5 days,
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on May 23, 2013, 07:28:05 AM
Post by: Shanna on May 23, 2013, 07:28:05 AM
Hi Shiny
Negotiations are ongoing as to the best date and time but most likely it will be either Sunday evening or early on Monday morning around 10am.
Shanna
Negotiations are ongoing as to the best date and time but most likely it will be either Sunday evening or early on Monday morning around 10am.
Shanna
Quote from: shiny on May 22, 2013, 11:25:42 AM
Does the bank holiday Monday suit you Declan or were you planning on filling it earlier than that?
Marathon is on in the city centre that day so it would be great to be going the opposite direction. :)
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 23, 2013, 08:16:06 AM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 23, 2013, 08:16:06 AM
Quote from: Shanna on May 23, 2013, 07:24:32 AM
Hi Ciderhead
Tonight or tomorrow night after 9pm would suit, if necessary pm to sort something else out.
ShannaQuote from: Ciderhead on May 22, 2013, 11:19:49 AM
Good man!
Do we have a time and date for the drop in
Weather tone very cold next 5 days,
Mine is still bubbling as as its gonna be cold next 48 I'll leave in frimentor.
The Sunday is best for me as I am away to Europe on the Monday so will work around your schedule 26/27/28 and can be at any time at all that suits.
Title: Documenting the Barrel Project
Post by: Bubbles on May 24, 2013, 01:54:25 PM
Post by: Bubbles on May 24, 2013, 01:54:25 PM
All,
The publishing team are currently look at the best ways of documenting the NHC's fantastic "Barrel Project". We've decided to create and publish a series of articles on the project over the next 6 months or so.
The series will cover technical aspects of aging beer in barrels, purchase and delivery of the said items as well as a report from each individual club barrel at various stages of the process.
To achieve this aim, we will need a nominated representative from each barrel project who is willing to supply us with the necessary information like recipe, barrel siting, filling, tasting notes, competition success etc. Photos would be great too, if you have any. If you're interested in being your project's rep, can you attach your name to the thread below?
http://nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php/topic,2611.0.html
Many thanks,
Conor.
The publishing team are currently look at the best ways of documenting the NHC's fantastic "Barrel Project". We've decided to create and publish a series of articles on the project over the next 6 months or so.
The series will cover technical aspects of aging beer in barrels, purchase and delivery of the said items as well as a report from each individual club barrel at various stages of the process.
To achieve this aim, we will need a nominated representative from each barrel project who is willing to supply us with the necessary information like recipe, barrel siting, filling, tasting notes, competition success etc. Photos would be great too, if you have any. If you're interested in being your project's rep, can you attach your name to the thread below?
http://nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php/topic,2611.0.html
Many thanks,
Conor.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on May 25, 2013, 11:28:17 PM
Post by: Shanna on May 25, 2013, 11:28:17 PM
Hi Guys,
Ok Sunday night of the 2nd of June after 20:30 it is. Please add your name to the list below to confirm if you will be able to make it?
1. Shanna
Ok Sunday night of the 2nd of June after 20:30 it is. Please add your name to the list below to confirm if you will be able to make it?
1. Shanna
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on May 25, 2013, 11:31:11 PM
Post by: Shanna on May 25, 2013, 11:31:11 PM
Just a quick update on the 2nd batch that I did is almost done. The gravity has dropped to 1.015. I hope to rack it to a secondary on Monday or Tuesday giving another 4 or five days for more of the sediment to drop out. Really amazed by how quick this has fermented out in only a week.
Shanna
Shanna
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 26, 2013, 10:09:48 AM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 26, 2013, 10:09:48 AM
Ok Sunday night of the 2nd of June after 20:30 it is. Please add your name to the list below to confirm if you will be able to make it?
1. Shanna
2. Ciderhead
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 26, 2013, 02:30:11 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 26, 2013, 02:30:11 PM
22.5 Litres into secondary of black gold, jesus its bitter!, and definitely has alcohol in it at 10.8% :D
(http://i1270.photobucket.com/albums/jj605/joctcl/IMG_1518_zps54a9e477.jpg) (http://s1270.photobucket.com/user/joctcl/media/IMG_1518_zps54a9e477.jpg.html)
(http://i1270.photobucket.com/albums/jj605/joctcl/IMG_1518_zps54a9e477.jpg) (http://s1270.photobucket.com/user/joctcl/media/IMG_1518_zps54a9e477.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on May 26, 2013, 08:18:33 PM
Post by: Bubbles on May 26, 2013, 08:18:33 PM
Yep!
1. Shanna
2. Ciderhead
3. Bubbles
1. Shanna
2. Ciderhead
3. Bubbles
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: mcgrath on May 28, 2013, 03:34:54 PM
Post by: mcgrath on May 28, 2013, 03:34:54 PM
1. Shanna
2. Ciderhead
3. Bubbles
4. McGrath
2. Ciderhead
3. Bubbles
4. McGrath
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: andrewL46 on May 28, 2013, 04:39:38 PM
Post by: andrewL46 on May 28, 2013, 04:39:38 PM
Ill be transferring to secondary later in the week, has slowed right down now.
I wont be able to make Sunday evening, but will be able to drop it over on the
Monday or Tuesday.
I wont be able to make Sunday evening, but will be able to drop it over on the
Monday or Tuesday.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on May 28, 2013, 07:01:41 PM
Post by: Shanna on May 28, 2013, 07:01:41 PM
Any chance you could drop it over before Sunday so that we can fill it in one go?
Shanna
Shanna
Quote from: andrewL46 on May 28, 2013, 04:39:38 PM
Ill be transferring to secondary later in the week, has slowed right down now.
I wont be able to make Sunday evening, but will be able to drop it over on the
Monday or Tuesday.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 30, 2013, 02:57:16 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 30, 2013, 02:57:16 PM
Anybody who hasn't already dont forget Shanna's €5 for the barrel sunday night!
Sugar are we gonna be short on this one, is the cost more?, I assumed the were 10x20L but can only see 180L
Can we have a quick recap as to who did what
1)Ciderhead 22L
2)AndrewL46 19L CH will cover his €5
TOTAL 41L
p.s. I will be bringing a nip of the "barrel whiskey" to taste for all that show up on Sunday evening, and no it didn't come out of anyone else's barrel before you ask!
Sugar are we gonna be short on this one, is the cost more?, I assumed the were 10x20L but can only see 180L
Can we have a quick recap as to who did what
1)Ciderhead 22L
2)AndrewL46 19L CH will cover his €5
TOTAL 41L
p.s. I will be bringing a nip of the "barrel whiskey" to taste for all that show up on Sunday evening, and no it didn't come out of anyone else's barrel before you ask!
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on May 30, 2013, 03:34:29 PM
Post by: Bubbles on May 30, 2013, 03:34:29 PM
Thanks for reminding everyone about the money CH. I should mention that it is meself who paid for the barrel. Shanna is my enforcer, responsible for collecting the monies - sort of like "Paulie Walnuts".. :)
PAID
1. Bubbles
2. Shanna
3. Shiny
4. Ciderhead
PAID
1. Bubbles
2. Shanna
3. Shiny
4. Ciderhead
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on May 30, 2013, 03:38:24 PM
Post by: Bubbles on May 30, 2013, 03:38:24 PM
1) Ciderhead - 22L
2) AndrewL46 - 19L
3) Bubbles - 26L
Running Total - 67L
2) AndrewL46 - 19L
3) Bubbles - 26L
Running Total - 67L
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: beerfly on May 30, 2013, 04:41:14 PM
Post by: beerfly on May 30, 2013, 04:41:14 PM
1) Ciderhead - 22L
2) AndrewL46 - 19L
3) Bubbles - 26L
4) Beerfly - 19L
Running Total - 86L
not 100% if i'll make sunday it could be a decision made on the day
2) AndrewL46 - 19L
3) Bubbles - 26L
4) Beerfly - 19L
Running Total - 86L
not 100% if i'll make sunday it could be a decision made on the day
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 30, 2013, 07:04:39 PM
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 30, 2013, 07:04:39 PM
I cant exactly remember what I have in the secondary's but its definitely more than 40L. Shanna might be able to confirm this?
1) Ciderhead - 22L
2) AndrewL46 - 19L
3) Bubbles - 26L
4) Beerfly - 19L
5) Shiny - 40L +
Running Total - 126L
1) Ciderhead - 22L
2) AndrewL46 - 19L
3) Bubbles - 26L
4) Beerfly - 19L
5) Shiny - 40L +
Running Total - 126L
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on May 30, 2013, 07:53:54 PM
Post by: Shanna on May 30, 2013, 07:53:54 PM
Quote from: shiny on May 30, 2013, 07:04:39 PM
Updated Shiny contribution to 43 litres and added my own 45 litres
1) Ciderhead - 22L
2) AndrewL46 - 19L
3) Bubbles - 26L
4) Beerfly - 19L
5) Shiny - 43L +
6) Shanna - 45L
Running Total - 174L
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on May 30, 2013, 08:53:25 PM
Post by: Shanna on May 30, 2013, 08:53:25 PM
Just a quick update to confirm that McGrath will drop over a corny to me on Friday evening. That just leaves Rossa as the last one to confirm. Hoping he can make it for Sunday evening.
Plan is to make the staves and clean some bottles this evening in advance of the fill on Sunday night.
Shanna
Plan is to make the staves and clean some bottles this evening in advance of the fill on Sunday night.
Shanna
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 30, 2013, 09:39:45 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 30, 2013, 09:39:45 PM
Phew we have enough :)
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on May 31, 2013, 07:44:51 AM
Post by: Shanna on May 31, 2013, 07:44:51 AM
Hi there
Just an update for those of you not not following me on Twitter. Got the staves done last night and they just happen to fit on the pallet in the shed. For those coming over on Sunday night on public transport like the dart there is a 25 minute walk from Blackrock day station to my address so keep this in mind when making your arrangements. I will pm my address to those of you who have not been here before.
Shanna
Just an update for those of you not not following me on Twitter. Got the staves done last night and they just happen to fit on the pallet in the shed. For those coming over on Sunday night on public transport like the dart there is a 25 minute walk from Blackrock day station to my address so keep this in mind when making your arrangements. I will pm my address to those of you who have not been here before.
Shanna
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 31, 2013, 10:33:02 AM
Post by: Shane Phelan on May 31, 2013, 10:33:02 AM
Tip I received from Dr. Jacoby, the hole in the barrel is quite big so there is no reason we couldn't use multiple siphons at the same time.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 31, 2013, 12:43:40 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 31, 2013, 12:43:40 PM
There will be a ferry service on offer as I am driving arrange amongst yourselves a time to be at the station for one collection
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: beerfly on May 31, 2013, 01:16:18 PM
Post by: beerfly on May 31, 2013, 01:16:18 PM
darts arrive at 20:15 + 20:45 from city center
and if any are coming from the bray side 20:10 + 20:25
so i would imagine some time between 20:30 and 20:45 would be good
and if any are coming from the bray side 20:10 + 20:25
so i would imagine some time between 20:30 and 20:45 would be good
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 31, 2013, 04:11:06 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 31, 2013, 04:11:06 PM
Quote from: beerfly on May 31, 2013, 01:16:18 PM
darts arrive at 20:15 + 20:45 from city center
and if any are coming from the bray side 20:10 + 20:25
so i would imagine some time between 20:30 and 20:45 would be good
ok will be parked outside the station for 20:45 and wearing pink carnation, shiny are you out on Dart as well?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on May 31, 2013, 04:24:10 PM
Post by: Bubbles on May 31, 2013, 04:24:10 PM
As I'm only down the road, I'll bring up a few litres of StarSan for all the sanitising that will be going on.
Would it be possible for a couple of the attendees to bring a siphon along? It will be good to have a couple of siphons going at the same time, as was suggested above. I don't think my siphon tube is going to be long enough for the job.. :-\
I'll bring up a couple of beers for tasting too. As a reward for all the hard work we'll be doing.
I'd like to take away a tiny sample of the residual spirit (for a couple of people to taste) so I'll bring a little bottle for that purpose also. Myself and Shanna agreed there was definitely plenty sloshing around in there.
Can anyone think of anything else?
Would it be possible for a couple of the attendees to bring a siphon along? It will be good to have a couple of siphons going at the same time, as was suggested above. I don't think my siphon tube is going to be long enough for the job.. :-\
I'll bring up a couple of beers for tasting too. As a reward for all the hard work we'll be doing.
I'd like to take away a tiny sample of the residual spirit (for a couple of people to taste) so I'll bring a little bottle for that purpose also. Myself and Shanna agreed there was definitely plenty sloshing around in there.
Can anyone think of anything else?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 31, 2013, 04:44:15 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 31, 2013, 04:44:15 PM
Quote from: Bubbles on May 31, 2013, 04:24:10 PM
Myself and Shanna agreed there was definitely plenty sloshing around in there.
Can anyone think of anything else?
I'm bring a sample so don't touch what is in there already
Money to pay you for the barrel
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on May 31, 2013, 04:49:27 PM
Post by: Bubbles on May 31, 2013, 04:49:27 PM
But we're going to be removing it from the barrel anyway? And I want to take a sample away?
What's it taste like?
What's it taste like?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 31, 2013, 04:54:43 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 31, 2013, 04:54:43 PM
No you don't! :o
There is between 500ml and a litre, I am bringing a sample along with me so the more you leave in the barrel the better!
There is between 500ml and a litre, I am bringing a sample along with me so the more you leave in the barrel the better!
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 31, 2013, 04:58:25 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 31, 2013, 04:58:25 PM
Shanna have you drilled the bung and have you a spare bubbler?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on May 31, 2013, 05:02:50 PM
Post by: Bubbles on May 31, 2013, 05:02:50 PM
Ehh, yes we are! This has already been discussed at length at the various meets.
There's no way we'll be leaving a litre of 60% liquor in the barrel before racking in. We'll end up with whiskey that tastes a bit like beer, and not the other way around. We can always add extra whiskey to taste later if we think it needs it.
Have a read of this:
http://nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php/topic,2236.0.html
There's no way we'll be leaving a litre of 60% liquor in the barrel before racking in. We'll end up with whiskey that tastes a bit like beer, and not the other way around. We can always add extra whiskey to taste later if we think it needs it.
Have a read of this:
http://nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php/topic,2236.0.html
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 31, 2013, 05:14:58 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 31, 2013, 05:14:58 PM
Quote from: Bubbles on May 31, 2013, 05:02:50 PM
Ehh, yes we are! This has already been discussed at length at the various meets.
There's no way we'll be leaving a litre of 60% liquor in the barrel before racking in. We'll end up with whiskey that tastes a bit like beer, and not the other way around. We can always add extra whiskey to taste later if we think it needs it.
Have a read of this:
http://nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php/topic,2236.0.html
EEEEEhhhhhhh
Unfortunately the caretaker didn't understand that he has to swirl around the barrel every couple of days before filling (nobodys fault) and parts were very dry when I inspected during the week, the net effect is that the barrel has sweated more out than is ideal, if you pull this also, whiskey flavour will be diminished.
The 500ml in 200L wont make any difference, some of the barrels we saw had 3-5 litres sloshing around, that would have a bearing on final flavour and yeah I would have drained a couple of litres from those.
I am going to bring 2 samples along and you will understand why I say leave it in when you taste them.
We can drain and throw back in Sunday night, but there really isn't enough to put to one side :(
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on May 31, 2013, 06:17:28 PM
Post by: Bubbles on May 31, 2013, 06:17:28 PM
All very good points that you raise CH, but ultimately the decision won't be made by either you or I. We'll have to see what the consensus is among everyone else who's contributing to this thing.
We don't know how much liquor was in the barrel originally. We don't know how much has evaporated since we took delivery. We don't know how much whiskey flavour is going to be extracted from the barrel during the aging process. So I think to dump all our beer into the barrel without knowing this is a bit silly, after all our efforts. I think WillD's advice in the thread I linked to above is the most sensible way to do things. Hope others agree.
Looking forward to finding out what that whiskey sample of yours tastes like, in any case.
Let us know what you'd rather do folks. :)
We don't know how much liquor was in the barrel originally. We don't know how much has evaporated since we took delivery. We don't know how much whiskey flavour is going to be extracted from the barrel during the aging process. So I think to dump all our beer into the barrel without knowing this is a bit silly, after all our efforts. I think WillD's advice in the thread I linked to above is the most sensible way to do things. Hope others agree.
Looking forward to finding out what that whiskey sample of yours tastes like, in any case.
Let us know what you'd rather do folks. :)
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on May 31, 2013, 07:10:07 PM
Post by: Shanna on May 31, 2013, 07:10:07 PM
Ciderhead
Have not drilled the bung yet as it is a 30 second job.
Yes I have a spare bubbler.
I also have a solar pump and approx 2 metres of tubing to go with it. I would suggest using this to fill the barrel as it can transfer approx 6 litres per minute.
Will need help on Sunday evening to drain the barrel of the residual whiskey before we start to fill it. Have read two other posts ans suggest sensible compromise is to drain barrel to see quantity left in the barrel and make a call on the night depending on how much is ìn it.
Shanna
Ps: was wondering what we should do with any beer that is left over over and above say 10% required to top up the barrel. My suggestion is to bottle or else keg it and distribute it among us all. PaddyBubbles if you have a capper plus caps would you bring along 10. I will provide the bottles.
Sha
Have not drilled the bung yet as it is a 30 second job.
Yes I have a spare bubbler.
I also have a solar pump and approx 2 metres of tubing to go with it. I would suggest using this to fill the barrel as it can transfer approx 6 litres per minute.
Will need help on Sunday evening to drain the barrel of the residual whiskey before we start to fill it. Have read two other posts ans suggest sensible compromise is to drain barrel to see quantity left in the barrel and make a call on the night depending on how much is ìn it.
Shanna
Ps: was wondering what we should do with any beer that is left over over and above say 10% required to top up the barrel. My suggestion is to bottle or else keg it and distribute it among us all. PaddyBubbles if you have a capper plus caps would you bring along 10. I will provide the bottles.
Sha
Quote from: Ciderhead on May 31, 2013, 04:58:25 PM
Shanna have you drilled the bung and have you a spare bubbler?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on May 31, 2013, 07:42:27 PM
Post by: Shanna on May 31, 2013, 07:42:27 PM
Caretaker was a bit pissed off with himself that he had missed the nugget to rotate the barrel. Hope it won't spoil things too much.
Shanna
Shanna
Quote from: Ciderhead on May 31, 2013, 05:14:58 PMQuote from: Bubbles on May 31, 2013, 05:02:50 PM
Ehh, yes we are! This has already been discussed at length at the various meets.
There's no way we'll be leaving a litre of 60% liquor in the barrel before racking in. We'll end up with whiskey that tastes a bit like beer, and not the other way around. We can always add extra whiskey to taste later if we think it needs it.
Have a read of this:
http://nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php/topic,2236.0.html
EEEEEhhhhhhh
Unfortunately the caretaker didn't understand that he has to swirl around the barrel every couple of days before filling (nobodys fault) and parts were very dry when I inspected during the week, the net effect is that the barrel has sweated more out than is ideal, if you pull this also, whiskey flavour will be diminished.
The 500ml in 200L wont make any difference, some of the barrels we saw had 3-5 litres sloshing around, that would have a bearing on final flavour and yeah I would have drained a couple of litres from those.
I am going to bring 2 samples along and you will understand why I say leave it in when you taste them.
We can drain and throw back in Sunday night, but there really isn't enough to put to one side :(
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 31, 2013, 07:49:40 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 31, 2013, 07:49:40 PM
absolutely not an issue, and Bubbles can call it as he sees it on Sun.
A fermenting bucket to tip into would be good too if you had one spare.
A fermenting bucket to tip into would be good too if you had one spare.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on May 31, 2013, 08:40:23 PM
Post by: Shanna on May 31, 2013, 08:40:23 PM
Yes I have a spare fermenting bucket also.
Shanna
Shanna
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on May 31, 2013, 08:42:15 PM
Post by: Shanna on May 31, 2013, 08:42:15 PM
Updated McGraths contribution to 19 litres, just Rossa left now
1) Ciderhead - 22L
2) AndrewL46 - 19L
3) Bubbles - 26L
4) Beerfly - 19L
5) Shiny - 43L +
6) Shanna - 45L
7) McGrath -19L
Running Total - 193L
1) Ciderhead - 22L
2) AndrewL46 - 19L
3) Bubbles - 26L
4) Beerfly - 19L
5) Shiny - 43L +
6) Shanna - 45L
7) McGrath -19L
Running Total - 193L
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on May 31, 2013, 09:49:30 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on May 31, 2013, 09:49:30 PM
btw anyone else want a lift thats local? no point in us all being sober?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on May 31, 2013, 11:27:42 PM
Post by: Shanna on May 31, 2013, 11:27:42 PM
Hi there
Rossa has been in touch and confirmed he will plan to attend on Sunday night. If for whatever reason he can't attend he will get his beer delivered before Sunday
Shanna
Rossa has been in touch and confirmed he will plan to attend on Sunday night. If for whatever reason he can't attend he will get his beer delivered before Sunday
Shanna
Quote from: Shanna on May 31, 2013, 08:42:15 PM
Updated McGraths contribution to 19 litres, just Rossa left now
1) Ciderhead - 22L
2) AndrewL46 - 19L
3) Bubbles - 26L
4) Beerfly - 19L
5) Shiny - 43L +
6) Shanna - 45L
7) McGrath -19L
Running Total - 193L
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on June 02, 2013, 09:46:24 AM
Post by: Shanna on June 02, 2013, 09:46:24 AM
Hi there
Looks like Rossa will show up tonight as he has not delivered his keg yet. To everybody attending please try and be here for around 9 as these things invariably take longer than expected :) and it would be nice to have a beer or two after "the work" is done.
Shanna
Looks like Rossa will show up tonight as he has not delivered his keg yet. To everybody attending please try and be here for around 9 as these things invariably take longer than expected :) and it would be nice to have a beer or two after "the work" is done.
Shanna
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: beerfly on June 02, 2013, 10:38:14 AM
Post by: beerfly on June 02, 2013, 10:38:14 AM
still need extra sipons or are we good with the pump?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on June 02, 2013, 10:52:24 AM
Post by: Bubbles on June 02, 2013, 10:52:24 AM
See you all around 9 chaps.
Shanna, do you need me to bring StarSan, or do you have enough already made up?
Shanna, do you need me to bring StarSan, or do you have enough already made up?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on June 02, 2013, 01:21:23 PM
Post by: Shanna on June 02, 2013, 01:21:23 PM
Hi Paddy bubbles
Please bring the star San as mine is a bit old now. Will try and make a bit of grub later nothing fancy some wedges and a bit of pizza. Looking forward to getting this done & claim back the garage.
Shanna
Please bring the star San as mine is a bit old now. Will try and make a bit of grub later nothing fancy some wedges and a bit of pizza. Looking forward to getting this done & claim back the garage.
Shanna
Quote from: Bubbles on June 02, 2013, 10:52:24 AM
See you all around 9 chaps.
Shanna, do you need me to bring StarSan, or do you have enough already made up?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on June 02, 2013, 01:25:31 PM
Post by: Shanna on June 02, 2013, 01:25:31 PM
If you have a Siphon being it along as it will increase the speed at all which we can do the transfer. Remember that it will need to be about two metres long to reach from the bottom of a bucket or keg into the barrel. , Please make sure it is sanitised first so we don't have to do anything other than sterilise it with Star san this evening.
Shanna
Shanna
Shanna
Shanna
Quote from: beerfly on June 02, 2013, 10:38:14 AM
still need extra sipons or are we good with the pump?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Rossa on June 02, 2013, 03:42:22 PM
Post by: Rossa on June 02, 2013, 03:42:22 PM
1) Ciderhead - 22L
2) AndrewL46 - 19L
3) Bubbles - 26L
4) Beerfly - 19L
5) Shiny - 43L +
6) Shanna - 45L
7) McGrath -19L
8) Rossa - 22+
Mine came in at 1021
2) AndrewL46 - 19L
3) Bubbles - 26L
4) Beerfly - 19L
5) Shiny - 43L +
6) Shanna - 45L
7) McGrath -19L
8) Rossa - 22+
Mine came in at 1021
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on June 02, 2013, 05:55:43 PM
Post by: Shanna on June 02, 2013, 05:55:43 PM
Quote from: Rossa on June 02, 2013, 03:42:22 PM
1) Ciderhead - 22L
2) AndrewL46 - 19L
3) Bubbles - 26L
4) Beerfly - 19L
5) Shiny - 43L +
6) Shanna - 45L
7) McGrath -19L
8) Rossa - 22+
Mine came in at 1021
Total of 215. If I can count and it all adds up. I reckon 10 ltrs for topping up the barrel, 5 litres split in to 10 * 500ml bottles plus 200 litres for the barrel. If the barrel is smaller then just add it to the 10 litres kept to one side.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: mcgrath on June 02, 2013, 06:56:46 PM
Post by: mcgrath on June 02, 2013, 06:56:46 PM
Quote from: Ciderhead on May 31, 2013, 04:11:06 PMMyself and girlfriend getting bray dart. If you have space we'll grab a lift. If not we don't mind the walk...Quote from: beerfly on May 31, 2013, 01:16:18 PM
darts arrive at 20:15 + 20:45 from city center
and if any are coming from the bray side 20:10 + 20:25
so i would imagine some time between 20:30 and 20:45 would be good
ok will be parked outside the station for 20:45 and wearing pink carnation, shiny are you out on Dart as well?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on June 02, 2013, 06:57:56 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on June 02, 2013, 06:57:56 PM
Do you want lift from bray?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on June 02, 2013, 07:08:57 PM
Post by: Shanna on June 02, 2013, 07:08:57 PM
Hi McGrath
Shed is rough and ready. Hope your girlffriend is not arachnophobic :o
Shanna
[quarachnaphobicauthor=mcgrath link=topic=2258.msg32412#msg32412 date=1370195806]
[/quote]
Shed is rough and ready. Hope your girlffriend is not arachnophobic :o
Shanna
[quarachnaphobicauthor=mcgrath link=topic=2258.msg32412#msg32412 date=1370195806]
Quote from: Ciderhead on May 31, 2013, 04:11:06 PMMyself and girlfriend getting bray dart. If you have space we'll grab a lift. If not we don't mind the walk...Quote from: beerfly on May 31, 2013, 01:16:18 PM
darts arrive at 20:15 + 20:45 from city center
and if any are coming from the bray side 20:10 + 20:25
so i would imagine some time between 20:30 and 20:45 would be good
ok will be parked outside the station for 20:45 and wearing pink carnation, shiny are you out on Dart as well?
[/quote]
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: mcgrath on June 02, 2013, 08:13:49 PM
Post by: mcgrath on June 02, 2013, 08:13:49 PM
Quote from: Ciderhead on June 02, 2013, 06:57:56 PMHi. Actually coming from glenageary... Gonna get a bus... Missed dart...
Do you want lift from bray?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shane Phelan on June 03, 2013, 12:11:01 AM
Post by: Shane Phelan on June 03, 2013, 12:11:01 AM
She is full. ;)
(http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/3069/img1136vm.jpg)
(http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/6128/img1146mv.jpg)
217Litres in total (maybe a little more)
(http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/3069/img1136vm.jpg)
(http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/6128/img1146mv.jpg)
217Litres in total (maybe a little more)
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on June 03, 2013, 01:12:17 AM
Post by: Ciderhead on June 03, 2013, 01:12:17 AM
Well done to Conor for Organising, Declan and Edyta, for their hospitality and all the contributors.
How could 10 brews with the same recipe taste so different!
My auto-siphon is now tainted black, 217 litres is a lot of beer through a little orifice :)
A really funny moment, 9 buckets used, on the last "filler" bucket and I was saying not enough, not enough and with 1.5litres to go she topped out ;D ;D ;D
Seriously folks massive achievement well done, now the hard part.
Is SCD first to fill? and to think it nearly never made it off the ground ::) :P
How could 10 brews with the same recipe taste so different!
My auto-siphon is now tainted black, 217 litres is a lot of beer through a little orifice :)
A really funny moment, 9 buckets used, on the last "filler" bucket and I was saying not enough, not enough and with 1.5litres to go she topped out ;D ;D ;D
Seriously folks massive achievement well done, now the hard part.
Is SCD first to fill? and to think it nearly never made it off the ground ::) :P
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on June 03, 2013, 09:37:35 AM
Post by: Bubbles on June 03, 2013, 09:37:35 AM
Great evening lads! Nice to have all that porter safely tucked up in the barrel. The moment when the barrel blew it's top was great. The cheers must have been heard from miles around. Thanks everyone for such heroic brewing efforts. I hope we all get the expected results from this project. I'm sure we will - the samples were great.
Special thanks have to go to Ciderhead for all the work he's put into this - delivering the barrels, rallying the troops when needed, and being so organised for the filling last night. The samples of whiskey he brought nearly knocked me over!
Big thanks to Edyta for being such a sport and laying on some lovely grub for the brewers.
The head is a little sore this morning as myself and Shanna were toasting the barrel until late. I can testify that there's nothing worse than having to clean trub-coated brewing equipment when you have a hangover.
Lots of tweeting and photo-taking going on (thanks Ronan), so expect a few more reports from the night.
Special thanks have to go to Ciderhead for all the work he's put into this - delivering the barrels, rallying the troops when needed, and being so organised for the filling last night. The samples of whiskey he brought nearly knocked me over!
Big thanks to Edyta for being such a sport and laying on some lovely grub for the brewers.
The head is a little sore this morning as myself and Shanna were toasting the barrel until late. I can testify that there's nothing worse than having to clean trub-coated brewing equipment when you have a hangover.
Lots of tweeting and photo-taking going on (thanks Ronan), so expect a few more reports from the night.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: beerfly on June 03, 2013, 01:28:40 PM
Post by: beerfly on June 03, 2013, 01:28:40 PM
Quote from: Il Tubo on June 03, 2013, 12:39:19 PMPics or it did not happen ;)Quote from: Ciderhead on June 03, 2013, 01:12:17 AMGoing on twitter the Galway lads got there before ye!
Is SCD first to fill?
Pc died on me wed, think its just the psu. Should have them up by the weekend
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: beerfly on June 03, 2013, 01:34:57 PM
Post by: beerfly on June 03, 2013, 01:34:57 PM
Never mind just them, only beaten by 24hrs :'(
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on June 03, 2013, 03:30:08 PM
Post by: Bubbles on June 03, 2013, 03:30:08 PM
Pfft... yeah, but our beer has a "special" ingredient! I'll give you a clue: it has wings.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on June 03, 2013, 04:45:41 PM
Post by: Shanna on June 03, 2013, 04:45:41 PM
I knew I should not have let you put the "always" in the brew :D
Shanna
Shanna
Quote from: Bubbles on June 03, 2013, 03:30:08 PM
Pfft... yeah, but our beer has a "special" ingredient! I'll give you a clue: it has wings.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on June 03, 2013, 05:23:40 PM
Post by: Bubbles on June 03, 2013, 05:23:40 PM
Quote from: Shanna on June 03, 2013, 04:45:41 PM
I knew I should not have let you put the "always" in the brew :D
Jesus, that's grotesque!! ;D ;D
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on June 03, 2013, 05:26:14 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on June 03, 2013, 05:26:14 PM
Quote from: Il Tubo on June 03, 2013, 12:39:19 PMQuote from: Ciderhead on June 03, 2013, 01:12:17 AMGoing on twitter the Galway lads got there before ye!
Is SCD first to fill?
Nothing on the forum!, come on Tribesmen!! some of us aren't Twits :(
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on June 03, 2013, 05:40:19 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on June 03, 2013, 05:40:19 PM
SCD contributors any thoughts about whacking that bung a bit tighter as last night when we were leaving, CO2 was coming out the side between the bung and the hole.
Samples can always be taken or filled with narrow gauge tube and yes I have some.
I only ask as I am curious how much fermentation is still going on.
Shanna where the webcam? ;D did it leak?
Samples can always be taken or filled with narrow gauge tube and yes I have some.
I only ask as I am curious how much fermentation is still going on.
Shanna where the webcam? ;D did it leak?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on June 03, 2013, 06:54:50 PM
Post by: Bubbles on June 03, 2013, 06:54:50 PM
It's more likely it was just dissolved CO2 being released following the transfer?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on June 04, 2013, 12:54:29 AM
Post by: Shanna on June 04, 2013, 12:54:29 AM
No direct leaks but there is what I would describe as seepage through some of the staves around the hole. Will give the bung a bang before leaving for work in the morning. Not really much sign of life out of. The Bubbler as far as I could see. The stillage appear to be holding ok.
Shanna
Shanna
Quote from: Ciderhead on June 03, 2013, 05:40:19 PM
SCD contributors any thoughts about whacking that bung a bit tighter as last night when we were leaving, CO2 was coming out the side between the bung and the hole.
Samples can always be taken or filled with narrow gauge tube and yes I have some.
I only ask as I am curious how much fermentation is still going on.
Shanna where the webcam? ;D did it leak?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on June 04, 2013, 11:16:14 AM
Post by: Shanna on June 04, 2013, 11:16:14 AM
Hi There
I tightened the bung in the hole bit I am not happy with the seal for the Bubbler (should have listened to Ciderhead). I will widen the home for the Bubbler and add a rbber bung to get a tighter for.
Seepage looks to be coming from the bung rather than direct through the staves add the bung itself is rather most.
Shanna
I tightened the bung in the hole bit I am not happy with the seal for the Bubbler (should have listened to Ciderhead). I will widen the home for the Bubbler and add a rbber bung to get a tighter for.
Seepage looks to be coming from the bung rather than direct through the staves add the bung itself is rather most.
Shanna
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on June 06, 2013, 08:38:05 PM
Post by: Shanna on June 06, 2013, 08:38:05 PM
Hi there
I removed the wooden bung lady night and I drilled out a wrist hole to fit a heavier bung with a bubbler. It's now backin but still no sign of life from the bBubbler.
Shanna
I removed the wooden bung lady night and I drilled out a wrist hole to fit a heavier bung with a bubbler. It's now backin but still no sign of life from the bBubbler.
Shanna
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: mcgrath on June 10, 2013, 09:01:38 AM
Post by: mcgrath on June 10, 2013, 09:01:38 AM
Just wanted to say thanks to Declan for hosting us ant the Barrel. We were all well looked after. Cheers.
Thanks Ciderhead for the lift back too. Much appreciated...
Thanks Ciderhead for the lift back too. Much appreciated...
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: beerfly on June 10, 2013, 11:44:40 PM
Post by: beerfly on June 10, 2013, 11:44:40 PM
finally got the pictures up. 20+ here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/38694613@N04/sets/72157634042772151/)
and a few quick ones
a quick sample
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5333/9006233336_00049fe7b2_z.jpg)
filling in progress
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8393/9005026825_de73b14a43_z.jpg)
cutting it close
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8396/9006187228_99c7492005_z.jpg)
and most importantly are secret ingredent
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3704/9005085801_4dcd16c1ee_z.jpg)
and a few quick ones
a quick sample
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5333/9006233336_00049fe7b2_z.jpg)
filling in progress
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8393/9005026825_de73b14a43_z.jpg)
cutting it close
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8396/9006187228_99c7492005_z.jpg)
and most importantly are secret ingredent
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3704/9005085801_4dcd16c1ee_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on June 11, 2013, 03:12:54 PM
Post by: Bubbles on June 11, 2013, 03:12:54 PM
Nice work Ronan. I particularly like the photo of "Kenneth", our winged mascot.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: beerfly on June 11, 2013, 05:55:26 PM
Post by: beerfly on June 11, 2013, 05:55:26 PM
have another close up off him. i liked the look on your face after tasting the whiskey
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: johnrm on June 11, 2013, 06:30:34 PM
Post by: johnrm on June 11, 2013, 06:30:34 PM
Where did Kenneth come from?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on June 11, 2013, 08:46:42 PM
Post by: Shanna on June 11, 2013, 08:46:42 PM
Kenneth was captured by myself in my shed a few days before the filling the barrel. He is a cockchafer beetle, see below. He was resting on the side of the barrel but I think he may have been initially inside some old scaffolding boasts that I used to make the staves to support the barrel.
http://www.uksafari.com/cockchafer.htm
Shanna
http://www.uksafari.com/cockchafer.htm
Shanna
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Will_D on June 11, 2013, 10:54:23 PM
Post by: Will_D on June 11, 2013, 10:54:23 PM
Quote from: Il Tubo on June 11, 2013, 09:16:35 PMWhat:?
What an unfortunate name!
Kenneth??
or
Cockchaffer??
You are just be about to offend all the peeps called "Cockchaffer" in the auld sod!
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on June 14, 2013, 10:08:44 AM
Post by: Bubbles on June 14, 2013, 10:08:44 AM
Quote from: beerfly on June 11, 2013, 05:55:26 PM
have another close up off him. i liked the look on your face after tasting the whiskey
That first sample was ROUGH! I think I nearly fell over. The second sample was actually quite nice. I think John said it was from a different barrel?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on June 14, 2013, 10:13:11 AM
Post by: Bubbles on June 14, 2013, 10:13:11 AM
Quote from: Shanna on June 11, 2013, 08:46:42 PMHe is a cockchafer beetle
Anyone care to speculate what the female of species might be called....... ::) ???
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on June 28, 2013, 01:53:13 PM
Post by: Bubbles on June 28, 2013, 01:53:13 PM
Shanna, how's everything going at Barrel HQ?
No leaks, I hope? Or sightings of barrels rolling down the road?
What's everyone's thoughts on getting a sample from the barrel? How about getting a sample for the August meet in the Dark Horse?
(By the way, there's a few of ye still owe me a few bob for the barrel. At this stage, your credit rating might be affected... ;) )
No leaks, I hope? Or sightings of barrels rolling down the road?
What's everyone's thoughts on getting a sample from the barrel? How about getting a sample for the August meet in the Dark Horse?
(By the way, there's a few of ye still owe me a few bob for the barrel. At this stage, your credit rating might be affected... ;) )
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on June 28, 2013, 08:57:09 PM
Post by: Shanna on June 28, 2013, 08:57:09 PM
Hi Bubbles
All quiet at the range. No sign of either activity from the bubbler or the barrel itself. Sorry to report that everything is probably exactly the same as when we filled it. I have recently bought an auto siphon so I will be able to take a sample easily enough for the August meet.
Shanna
All quiet at the range. No sign of either activity from the bubbler or the barrel itself. Sorry to report that everything is probably exactly the same as when we filled it. I have recently bought an auto siphon so I will be able to take a sample easily enough for the August meet.
Shanna
Quote from: Bubbles on June 28, 2013, 01:53:13 PM
Shanna, how's everything going at Barrel HQ?
No leaks, I hope? Or sightings of barrels rolling down the road?
What's everyone's thoughts on getting a sample from the barrel? How about getting a sample for the August meet in the Dark Horse?
(By the way, there's a few of ye still owe me a few bob for the barrel. At this stage, your credit rating might be affected... ;) )
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on June 29, 2013, 04:00:29 PM
Post by: Bubbles on June 29, 2013, 04:00:29 PM
Quote from: Shanna on June 28, 2013, 08:57:09 PMSorry to report that everything is probably exactly the same as when we filled it. I have recently bought an auto siphon so I will be able to take a sample easily enough for the August meet.
That's what we all wanted to hear! Thanks for the update.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on August 09, 2013, 04:04:38 PM
Post by: Bubbles on August 09, 2013, 04:04:38 PM
All, myself and Shanna are going to be taking a wee sneak preview from the barrel and bringing it along to the meet on Thursday 29th. Hope you can make it.
C.
C.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on August 09, 2013, 04:16:23 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on August 09, 2013, 04:16:23 PM
blackmail to attend a meeting, way too young, I bet you open your christmas presents christmas eve as well :D
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on August 09, 2013, 04:37:19 PM
Post by: Bubbles on August 09, 2013, 04:37:19 PM
Quote from: Ciderhead on August 09, 2013, 04:16:23 PM
blackmail to attend a meeting, way too young, I bet you open your christmas presents christmas eve as well :D
;D ;D
That'll get the attendance numbers up! ;)
No seriously CH, do you think it's too early to open her up for a taste? Anyone else, speak now or hold your peace!? :P
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on August 09, 2013, 08:47:43 PM
Post by: Shanna on August 09, 2013, 08:47:43 PM
Probably too young to be nice but will interested to see what I the combined mix will be like at least. I don't think it's a bad thing to let people taste the beer they contributed to. Suggestions of blackmail makes me think you secretly want to taste it as much as the next man. Opening pressies on Christmas Eve is common in a lot of other countries and also I believe something that was common here in days gone by.
Shanna
Ps. We will say anything to justify opening the barrel and taking a snaky sample :)
Shanna
Ps. We will say anything to justify opening the barrel and taking a snaky sample :)
Quote from: Ciderhead on August 09, 2013, 04:16:23 PM
blackmail to attend a meeting, way too young, I bet you open your christmas presents christmas eve as well :D
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on August 09, 2013, 08:54:21 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on August 09, 2013, 08:54:21 PM
Ah so you do open them on Christmas eve!!!
I put 20+ in I just want 16-17 out, ours will run between next summer and Christmas 2014!! We have a control to measure it against, and top up the 2 or 3 litres we will hoof before then at the meets and obviously take notes to compare against the next meet.
Now here is the surprising observation, SCD all brewed to the same recipe and correct me if I'm wrong but they all did tasted different.
Wicklow all brewed to the same recipe, with ingredients supplied and including the extract version they all tasted the same...do ne nu nu, do ne nu nu
Have you something to replace what you are taking out?
I put 20+ in I just want 16-17 out, ours will run between next summer and Christmas 2014!! We have a control to measure it against, and top up the 2 or 3 litres we will hoof before then at the meets and obviously take notes to compare against the next meet.
Now here is the surprising observation, SCD all brewed to the same recipe and correct me if I'm wrong but they all did tasted different.
Wicklow all brewed to the same recipe, with ingredients supplied and including the extract version they all tasted the same...do ne nu nu, do ne nu nu
Have you something to replace what you are taking out?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on August 12, 2013, 09:03:17 PM
Post by: Shanna on August 12, 2013, 09:03:17 PM
Have a few litres squirreled away to replace what we take out. Not sure what point your trying to make here? If I remember you were like a drug dealer in that you measured out the ingredients for each brew from a common supply source and had each person brew using this. The SD brew was made to the same recipe using differently sourced ingredients. No real excitement in doing everything for somebody as it's supposed to be home brew not one gigantic brew.
I seem to remember you saying yourself that you were struggling to tell the difference between the different brews after a few samples but maybe there is something "inherently special" in the Wicklow brewing barrel. The need for a control somehow suggests something related to an experiment. I suspect all of these barrel efforts that don't have infection will be superb.
Shanna
I seem to remember you saying yourself that you were struggling to tell the difference between the different brews after a few samples but maybe there is something "inherently special" in the Wicklow brewing barrel. The need for a control somehow suggests something related to an experiment. I suspect all of these barrel efforts that don't have infection will be superb.
Shanna
Quote from: Ciderhead on August 09, 2013, 08:54:21 PM
Ah so you do open them on Christmas eve!!!
I put 20+ in I just want 16-17 out, ours will run between next summer and Christmas 2014!! We have a control to measure it against, and top up the 2 or 3 litres we will hoof before then at the meets and obviously take notes to compare against the next meet.
Now here is the surprising observation, SCD all brewed to the same recipe and correct me if I'm wrong but they all did tasted different.
Wicklow all brewed to the same recipe, with ingredients supplied and including the extract version they all tasted the same...do ne nu nu, do ne nu nu
Have you something to replace what you are taking out?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on August 13, 2013, 12:35:09 AM
Post by: Ciderhead on August 13, 2013, 12:35:09 AM
Quote from: Shanna on August 12, 2013, 09:03:17 PM
Have a few litres squirreled away to replace what we take out. Not sure what point your trying to make here? If I remember you were like a drug dealer in that you measured out the ingredients for each brew from a common supply source and had each person brew using this. The SD brew was made to the same recipe using differently sourced ingredients. No real excitement in doing everything for somebody as it's supposed to be home brew not one gigantic brew.
I seem to remember you saying yourself that you were struggling to tell the difference between the different brews after a few samples but maybe there is something "inherently special" in the Wicklow brewing barrel. The need for a control somehow suggests something related to an experiment. I suspect all of these barrel efforts that don't have infection will be superb.
Shanna
Have to correct you there, the objective was to brew a barrel to one common recipe and attempt to simulate what 2 of the current Irish breweries are doing.
As competing clubs we could compare 8-10 different recipes at next years competition and critically we should be able to repeat the winner.
If SCD wins the comp next year how are we going to repeat what everybody brewed if the ingredients were whatever was lying around at the time :(? I followed the SCD recipe to the letter.
The "excitement" for us was that we all have different equipment from plastic buckets, biab to 60L mash and boilers, but even with those variables we got very similar tasting brews. Best of all it was the cheapest way of doing it as we got discounts for the ingredients we bought in bulk.
It is a total experiment and if we come last at least we will know why and modify what was wrong with the recipe for the next barrel.
The reason we have a control is to determine what impact the barrel has had after 3, 6 and 9 months v's unbarrelled RIS.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on August 13, 2013, 12:16:46 PM
Post by: Bubbles on August 13, 2013, 12:16:46 PM
Quote from: Ciderhead on August 09, 2013, 08:54:21 PMI put 20+ in I just want 16-17 out, ours will run between next summer and Christmas 2014!! We have a control to measure it against
Now here is the surprising observation, SCD all brewed to the same recipe and correct me if I'm wrong but they all did tasted different.
Wicklow all brewed to the same recipe, with ingredients supplied and including the extract version they all tasted the same...do ne nu nu, do ne nu nu
Ciderhead, I must admit that like Shanna, I'm also struggling to see where you're going with this..
Perhaps you could explain why you're getting upset that there were slight differences in the SD component beers? Why are you even bringing this up now? I don't get it..
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shane Phelan on August 13, 2013, 01:27:50 PM
Post by: Shane Phelan on August 13, 2013, 01:27:50 PM
I think the main point here is that as SD barrel had contributions that tasted differently it would be difficult to replicate if you wanted to do the same recipe again. On the other hand the Wicklow barrel had relatively similar contributions so if they wanted to make the same recipe again next Christmas, they could with confidence, make the same thing again.
Personally I am not worried about this as the same thing happened with the barrel that Dr. Jacoby filled with RichieH/Kev and they had different tasting contributions which in the end turned out to be an amazing blend. I'm confident and hopeful (given that I have ~40L in it) that the SD barrel will be a great blend! :)
Personally I am not worried about this as the same thing happened with the barrel that Dr. Jacoby filled with RichieH/Kev and they had different tasting contributions which in the end turned out to be an amazing blend. I'm confident and hopeful (given that I have ~40L in it) that the SD barrel will be a great blend! :)
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on August 13, 2013, 04:34:18 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on August 13, 2013, 04:34:18 PM
I'm not upset, I was making one point about repeatability of the brew thats all.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on August 13, 2013, 05:22:58 PM
Post by: Bubbles on August 13, 2013, 05:22:58 PM
Ok fine. To be honest, I'm just looking forward to tasting the final result. At this late stage, I'm not at all concerned by the slight differences in the component beers.
Shanna, I think we should hold off on tasting that sample until more of the lads can attend a meet. What do you think?
Shiny, Beerfly, Ciaran, Rossa, Andrew - what are your thoughts on how long we should wait before tasting or bottling?
Shanna, I think we should hold off on tasting that sample until more of the lads can attend a meet. What do you think?
Shiny, Beerfly, Ciaran, Rossa, Andrew - what are your thoughts on how long we should wait before tasting or bottling?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on August 13, 2013, 07:55:46 PM
Post by: Shanna on August 13, 2013, 07:55:46 PM
Hi CH
Don't think anybody had used what was lying around but ordered the ingredients per the recipe laid out by Rossa. Ingredients would have come from different batches of grain so it is to be expected to have some variation. The different brews were produced by different brewers would not surprise if they produced slightly different results. At least one of my own brews went perfectly I hit the numbers but the 2nd was no where near as good due to some mistakes. Not sure recipe you chose to brew in Wicklow but I would have struggled to tell major differences between our efforts including your own.
Will be interesting to see the difference between the beers
Shanna
Don't think anybody had used what was lying around but ordered the ingredients per the recipe laid out by Rossa. Ingredients would have come from different batches of grain so it is to be expected to have some variation. The different brews were produced by different brewers would not surprise if they produced slightly different results. At least one of my own brews went perfectly I hit the numbers but the 2nd was no where near as good due to some mistakes. Not sure recipe you chose to brew in Wicklow but I would have struggled to tell major differences between our efforts including your own.
Will be interesting to see the difference between the beers
Shanna
Quote from: Ciderhead on August 13, 2013, 12:35:09 AMQuote from: Shanna on August 12, 2013, 09:03:17 PM
Have a few litres squirreled away to replace what we take out. Not sure what point your trying to make here? If I remember you were like a drug dealer in that you measured out the ingredients for each brew from a common supply source and had each person brew using this. The SD brew was made to the same recipe using differently sourced ingredients. No real excitement in doing everything for somebody as it's supposed to be home brew not one gigantic brew.
I seem to remember you saying yourself that you were struggling to tell the difference between the different brews after a few samples but maybe there is something "inherently special" in the Wicklow brewing barrel. The need for a control somehow suggests something related to an experiment. I suspect all of these barrel efforts that don't have infection will be superb.
Shanna
Have to correct you there, the objective was to brew a barrel to one common recipe and attempt to simulate what 2 of the current Irish breweries are doing.
As competing clubs we could compare 8-10 different recipes at next years competition and critically we should be able to repeat the winner.
If SCD wins the comp next year how are we going to repeat what everybody brewed if the ingredients were whatever was lying around at the time :(? I followed the SCD recipe to the letter.
The "excitement" for us was that we all have different equipment from plastic buckets, biab to 60L mash and boilers, but even with those variables we got very similar tasting brews. Best of all it was the cheapest way of doing it as we got discounts for the ingredients we bought in bulk.
It is a total experiment and if we come last at least we will know why and modify what was wrong with the recipe for the next barrel.
The reason we have a control is to determine what impact the barrel has had after 3, 6 and 9 months v's unbarrelled RIS.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on August 13, 2013, 07:59:40 PM
Post by: Shanna on August 13, 2013, 07:59:40 PM
Fair enough though why anybody would want to is beyond me :)
Shanna
PS:Next question is what does one do with 40ltrs+ of 10% beer?
Shanna
PS:Next question is what does one do with 40ltrs+ of 10% beer?
Quote from: Ciderhead on August 13, 2013, 04:34:18 PM
I'm not upset, I was making one point about repeatability of the brew thats all.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shane Phelan on August 14, 2013, 10:35:21 AM
Post by: Shane Phelan on August 14, 2013, 10:35:21 AM
Quote from: Bubbles on August 13, 2013, 05:22:58 PM
Shiny, Beerfly, Ciaran, Rossa, Andrew - what are your thoughts on how long we should wait before tasting or bottling?
I would say taste away whenever you want, nothing wrong with being well informed of the progress. :)
In terms of bottling I have always wanted to take it out early (~4 months) as I didn't want the whiskey flavour to be overwhelming, the periodical tastings should verify whether that is too early or not. I don't think many people are of the same opinion though. :(
Quote from: Shanna on August 13, 2013, 07:59:40 PM
PS:Next question is what does one do with 40ltrs+ of 10% beer?
I have been collecting 500ml bottles for the last few months. I'm only up to 25 so far although I will probably collect my ~40L with corny's and purge them with CO2 until they are bottled. I assume if we had a pump with a corny disconnect on one end we could transfer into purged kegs to reduce any further oxygenation as much as possible?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on August 14, 2013, 11:08:45 AM
Post by: Bubbles on August 14, 2013, 11:08:45 AM
Quote from: Shanna on August 13, 2013, 07:59:40 PMPS:Next question is what does one do with 40ltrs+ of 10% beer?
Answer: bottle it in small volumes! I'm planning on doing mostly 33cl bottles, as many as I can. I love strong beers like this, but I find that a 50cl of 10% is too much of a good thing.
Or, you could go mad, stick it in a corny, and dispense pitchers of it... :-X
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on August 14, 2013, 11:23:56 AM
Post by: Bubbles on August 14, 2013, 11:23:56 AM
Quote from: shiny on August 14, 2013, 10:35:21 AMI would say taste away whenever you want, nothing wrong with being well informed of the progress. :)
In terms of bottling I have always wanted to take it out early (~4 months) as I didn't want the whiskey flavour to be overwhelming, the periodical tastings should verify whether that is too early or not. I don't think many people are of the same opinion though. :(
I'd definitely like to have a taste in the next month or two. But that all depends on how many of you lads can get down to an SD meet. How about we designate the November meet as the "barrel tasting" meet? Hopefully everyone can attend and we can make a decision if and when we are to bottle?
Quote from: shiny on August 14, 2013, 10:35:21 AMIn terms of bottling I have always wanted to take it out early (~4 months) as I didn't want the whiskey flavour to be overwhelming
Just a thought... I'd guess that most of the whiskey flavour is already going to be in our beer at this stage. I suspect leaving it 6 or 12 or 18 months won't make an appreciable difference in the level of whiskey flavour?
Though leaving it longer in the barrel will obviously draw out a lot more of the oak flavours.. I'd be just as concerned about having excessive oak flavour, as excessive whiskey flavour.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shane Phelan on August 14, 2013, 12:15:06 PM
Post by: Shane Phelan on August 14, 2013, 12:15:06 PM
Yeah I was worried about not being able to attend this month for the tasting (will be gone on hols) so yeah I think a dedicated November meet for tasting is a great idea!
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on August 28, 2013, 04:32:37 PM
Post by: Bubbles on August 28, 2013, 04:32:37 PM
Nothing to report apart from the fact I seem to be hoarding a few barrel-aged stouts at the moment. Today I picked up a bottle of the Franciscan Well stout. I've also got a bottle of O'Hara's and Goose Island's Bourbon County. Looking forward to whetting my appetite with these before we bottle the big porter.
The two Irish stouts are quite light in comparison to the Goose Island which is 11% ABV!!
Anyone had any of these three before?
The two Irish stouts are quite light in comparison to the Goose Island which is 11% ABV!!
Anyone had any of these three before?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shane Phelan on August 28, 2013, 05:09:31 PM
Post by: Shane Phelan on August 28, 2013, 05:09:31 PM
I have had the Goose Island before and found it tough going. I think it took me 3 or 4 hours to drink it!
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on August 28, 2013, 05:27:10 PM
Post by: Bubbles on August 28, 2013, 05:27:10 PM
Jesus! That wasn't the verdict I expected! ;D ;D
Is it a bit... syrupy? Too boozy?
Is it a bit... syrupy? Too boozy?
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shane Phelan on August 28, 2013, 05:35:31 PM
Post by: Shane Phelan on August 28, 2013, 05:35:31 PM
Both! I read reviews of it on-line and see people of are obsessed with it...I think maybe I'm just not 'ready' for that level of flavour/body yet perhaps.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on August 28, 2013, 07:18:48 PM
Post by: Bubbles on August 28, 2013, 07:18:48 PM
I'll probably like it then! I like my stouts a little chewier.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Rossa on August 28, 2013, 08:06:53 PM
Post by: Rossa on August 28, 2013, 08:06:53 PM
The goose is amazing imo.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on September 25, 2013, 11:45:40 PM
Post by: Shanna on September 25, 2013, 11:45:40 PM
Hi guys,
Had some thoughts about the South Dublin barrel over the last few days and I was thinking that maybe we could try and organise a tasting session sometime over the Halloween Bank Holiday weekend.
Thoughts anyone?
Regards,
Shanna
Had some thoughts about the South Dublin barrel over the last few days and I was thinking that maybe we could try and organise a tasting session sometime over the Halloween Bank Holiday weekend.
Thoughts anyone?
Regards,
Shanna
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on November 12, 2013, 01:48:32 PM
Post by: Shanna on November 12, 2013, 01:48:32 PM
Hi there
Transferred RIS top up brew to a keg last night. It had dropped to about 1.018 from approx 1.089. Hoping to take a sample for the next South Dublin on the 21st of November.
Shanna
Transferred RIS top up brew to a keg last night. It had dropped to about 1.018 from approx 1.089. Hoping to take a sample for the next South Dublin on the 21st of November.
Shanna
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on November 12, 2013, 02:19:14 PM
Post by: Bubbles on November 12, 2013, 02:19:14 PM
Nice work Dec, thanks for that.
Looking forward to another taste. Let's get a bigger bottle next time! ;)
Looking forward to another taste. Let's get a bigger bottle next time! ;)
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on November 13, 2013, 10:38:25 AM
Post by: Shanna on November 13, 2013, 10:38:25 AM
Quote from: Bubbles on November 12, 2013, 02:19:14 PM
Nice work Dec, thanks for that.
Looking forward to another taste. Let's get a bigger bottle next time! ;)
Should have a large swing top lemonade bottle somewhere. Do you fancy holding the syphon?
Shanna
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on November 13, 2013, 11:30:56 AM
Post by: Bubbles on November 13, 2013, 11:30:56 AM
Sure! :)
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on November 13, 2013, 01:58:46 PM
Post by: Ciderhead on November 13, 2013, 01:58:46 PM
This time can you use the auto siphon in the bottle instead of your mouth as I'm sure it doesn't take 7 chugs to get that siphon going:-)
Sent from 1 of 300,000,000
Sent from 1 of 300,000,000
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on November 13, 2013, 02:22:03 PM
Post by: Bubbles on November 13, 2013, 02:22:03 PM
Quote from: CH on November 13, 2013, 01:58:46 PM
This time can you use the auto siphon in the bottle instead of your mouth as I'm sure it doesn't take 7 chugs to get that siphon going:-)
:-\ :-\ :-\ :-\
I was thirsty!! ;D
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on November 18, 2013, 12:22:57 AM
Post by: Shanna on November 18, 2013, 12:22:57 AM
Dug out the swing top lemonade bottle this evening and have given it a good soak. Was thinking of taking the sample in Wednesday night after kids have retired for the night.
Shanna
Shanna
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on November 20, 2013, 08:24:03 AM
Post by: Shanna on November 20, 2013, 08:24:03 AM
Due to lack of demand I only filled a 500ml bottle from the barrel for the forth coming SD meet. The smell was awesome and as it was a one man job the siphon was only inserted in the bottle (no sly chugging from Bubbles or CH ;-). I took the opportunity to top up the barrel from the backup keg. I added about 10 litres of a top up and the barrel still wss not full.
Shanna
Shanna
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Ciderhead on November 20, 2013, 09:40:30 AM
Post by: Ciderhead on November 20, 2013, 09:40:30 AM
Is there a leak, natural or artificial ;)
How far were you from the top do you think?
Probably not long now in any case.
How far were you from the top do you think?
Probably not long now in any case.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on November 20, 2013, 10:17:19 AM
Post by: Shanna on November 20, 2013, 10:17:19 AM
Quote from: CH on November 20, 2013, 09:40:30 AM
Is there a leak, natural or artificial ;)
How far were you from the top do you think?
Probably not long now in any case.
No visible leaks (of any sort) except a tiny amount of residue similar to tar from the side. This was weeping. Will double check directly under the barrel to confirm there is no seepage or staining (kind of difficult given its on a standing on a stave and a pallet). I suspect that this is what the barrel has just asorbed over the last 5 months. The level probably was about an inch or so from the top.
Shanna
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Rossa on August 31, 2014, 08:35:32 PM
Post by: Rossa on August 31, 2014, 08:35:32 PM
First taste from the keg of the xxx porter. Bloody hell. It is fabulous. Absolutely fabulous. The chocolate and burnt toast is beautiful. Smooth, slightly sweet but with enough roast and bitterness to balance with the alcohol warmth.
When did we brew this? I think it might be hitting form...just in time for those long winter nights. You would never think this is the guts of 9%.
Fair play chaps.
When did we brew this? I think it might be hitting form...just in time for those long winter nights. You would never think this is the guts of 9%.
Fair play chaps.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Bubbles on August 31, 2014, 09:04:34 PM
Post by: Bubbles on August 31, 2014, 09:04:34 PM
Well it is a SILVER MEDAL winner! ;)
Still have mine in a keg but want to bottle condition it. Your recipe dude, well done.
Still have mine in a keg but want to bottle condition it. Your recipe dude, well done.
Title: Re: Barrel Project - Summary Thread
Post by: Shanna on August 31, 2014, 09:17:41 PM
Post by: Shanna on August 31, 2014, 09:17:41 PM
Quote from: Rossa on August 31, 2014, 08:35:32 PMBrewed May 2013. Put in the barrel June 2013. Extracted from barrel June 2014. I had some last night from a bottle that I had in the fridge. It was not carbed properly so I added 1/3 of a pint of it to an oatmeal stout and it was delicious.
First taste from the keg of the xxx porter. Bloody hell. It is fabulous. Absolutely fabulous. The chocolate and burnt toast is beautiful. Smooth, slightly sweet but with enough roast and bitterness to balance with the alcohol warmth.
When did we brew this? I think it might be hitting form...just in time for those long winter nights. You would never think this is the guts of 9%.
Fair play chaps.
Rossa you were bang on about the carbonation and the cold. Recarbing the RIP and going to give it another go to bottle some of it.
Shanna