Brewed up a Doppelbock on Sunday with mixed success. Following my own recipe, I had a 17 pound grain bill. Most of my batches have bills in the 11 to 12 pound range.
I had enough room in my tun to handle the grain and the water need to mash. The first runnings were a sight to see.
The wort had a beautiful caramel color. I am glad I took a picture.
The boil was fine but followed some advice to keep it not so vigorous.
I am afraid that advice made me miss my final gravity target by 11 points (1.072 vs. 1.083).
The FG is in range of the style but barely. 1.072 is the lower limit of the style.
If I make a big beer again, I need to learn how to hit my gravity target.
Mike
I hope I didn’t give you that advice!
I would have said if you boil less vigorous plan to boil longer!
You need a refractometer then you can monitor the progress of the boil by taking quick looks at your gravity.
John
Hey – Christmas is right around the corner. My birthday is in January.
Edanurum
I have a question for you. You sttead you let this beer kit ferment for a week but I was on a home brew forum and the guys there told me to ferment at least 3-4 weeks minimum. I just brewed a Coopers real ale kit last night and I don’t want it to get infected for sitting too long after fermentation is complete. Is it ok to let it sit in the fermentor for 3-4 weeks? I appreciate your help.
John
Hi Edanurum,
I don’t remember writing about letting anything ferment for a week. Your beer should be fine sitting in the fermentor for 3 to 4 weeks. My doppelbock has been fermenting over 2 weeks now and I don’t think I am going to rack it until the airlock stops bubbling.
Todd Jech
If anything boil more vigorous to remove more water and thicken the wort to make higher gravity, the more volume you lose the more your gravity increases… boiling longer would do it to but add more caramely malt flavors as well…