First AG BIAB - Citra SMaSH Pale Ale

[IrishBeerSnob]

Ok, I've decided to skip extract altogether and go straight with a SMaSH

I've ordered a load of gear and have been punching in the numbers to Beer Smith

Have bought a 15L Stock Pot so reckon i'll be able to make 10L Batches.

Now, i don't fully understand Beer Smith but this is what i'm thinking of doing.

2kg Maris Otter
60 Min Boil
10g Citra 45 Mins
10g Citra 15 Mins
14g Citra Flameout
US05

Am toying with Dry Hopping too - but the Beersmith is giving me an estimated ABV 5.7% within Classification of American Pale Ale. I've a west coast yeast to trial too.

Main questions, is that enough grain? What length mash? 60, 75, 90 Minutes? Thankfully I can set my oven to 65 Degrees to maintain temp.

Any other hints?

[LordEoin]

is that enough grain?
yes, if you're aiming for that strength.

What length mash?
I'd go for 60

Any other hints?
You could avoid the oven completely by putting a few layers of cardboard on the ground, mashing on that and wrapped with a couple of duvets/sleeping-bags

[IrishBeerSnob]

Cheers - got my stock pot in Dunnes - its a 20L Ham Pot for €6!
Just need to get my mash bag I forgot to order it from HBW when ordering stuff - so ordered one seperately.

[Parky]

got my stock pot in Dunnes - its a 20L Ham Pot for €6!

Nice find !!! I was only in Dunnes today looking for a stock pot, largest one I could find was 6.1L  Would love to know where you got the larger one?

[IrishBeerSnob]

Got it in Navan it was the last one
Maybe try one of the big ones and they call it a ham pot.
Good luck it was a steal at that price

[Parky]

Thanks IrishBeerSnob , I'll drop by the one in Maynooth tomorrow - fingers crossed I can find one!

Bargain of the century 

[phelixoflaherty]

Is that an aluminium pot?

If so are they ok for brewing?

[IrishBeerSnob]

I don't know if its aluminium here's a picture of it anyway
its 15 Litres not 20

[DEMPSEY]

I don't think you are allowed to use Aluminium pots for cooking anymore. I think I read that it causes alzheimer's but I can't remember

[pob]

I don't think you are allowed to use Aluminium pots for cooking anymore. I think I read that it causes alzheimer's but I can't remember

Stop, stop, eject ...

Age has a much closer link to Alzheimer's disease, the only 'link' aluminium has, is this regurgitated myth.

http://m.alz.org/myths.asp

[Bubbles]

Yep, the aluminium cookware thing is by all accounts a silly, but persistent, myth.

[mr hoppy]

If you do decide you are ok with aluminum it's good for BIAB with direct heat because it has better heat conductivity than stainless.

Good thread here on pros and cons of aluminum and SS:
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/faq-aluminum-pots-boil-kettles-49449/

[phelixoflaherty]

Thanks for all that

[mr hoppy]

Another thing (mentioned way down that thread) is that oxy / w5 are bleach is not recommended for aluminium.

[DEMPSEY]

Worked with aluminium for years (windows) and one thing is it is real soft for drilling. Glad to know about the alzheimers as me maa used to have one and cooked with it for years. Guess I will just have to find something else to blame when trying to explain to the Wife .