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Bad grain

 
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Squid




Joined: 09 Apr 2016
Posts: 33



PostLink    Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 1:37 am    Post subject: Bad grain Reply with quote


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I've been using 2-row from a local malter. have to say - always was off on the numbers but seems to be getting worse.

Brewed a beer today using 10.5lbs and ended up with an OG of 1.020.

Question: should I dump this batch, or keep it?
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kal
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Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11116
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 2:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

What OG did you expect to get ?

Kal

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Squid




Joined: 09 Apr 2016
Posts: 33



PostLink    Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 2:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Brewer's Friend OG calculator suggests 10lbs of 2-row should net an OG of 1.070. seems high to me, but either way it's quite a bit off the 1.020 I measured.
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kal
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Joined: 12 Dec 2010
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Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 5:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

What batch size?

Kal

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dp Brewing Company




Joined: 08 Jul 2013
Posts: 664
Location: Midwest

Drinking: Chocolate Taco, Raspberry Mango Cider, American X, Sandy Dunes

Working on: Nothing


PostLink    Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 1:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Squid wrote:
Brewer's Friend OG calculator suggests 10lbs of 2-row should net an OG of 1.070. seems high to me, but either way it's quite a bit off the 1.020 I measured.


What did you use to measure it?
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Squid




Joined: 09 Apr 2016
Posts: 33



PostLink    Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 1:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

5gal, hydrometer. I know the grain isnt quality - my brew buddy came to the same conclusion as I, though much earlier, and put his grain in the bird feeder.

I'm just soliciting opinions of whether or not I should keep this batch. It's a porter
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dp Brewing Company




Joined: 08 Jul 2013
Posts: 664
Location: Midwest

Drinking: Chocolate Taco, Raspberry Mango Cider, American X, Sandy Dunes

Working on: Nothing


PostLink    Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 2:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you only got 1.020 I would dump it. Before you do that make sure the paper in your hydrometer didn't slide down. Test it in water and see if it is calibrated.
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Squid




Joined: 09 Apr 2016
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PostLink    Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 2:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It reads 1.000 in water. I'll dump it, but not before I harvest the yeast for the replacement batch . I have a conical - would I only harvest from the bottom, or should I scrape the krausen, or both?
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dp Brewing Company




Joined: 08 Jul 2013
Posts: 664
Location: Midwest

Drinking: Chocolate Taco, Raspberry Mango Cider, American X, Sandy Dunes

Working on: Nothing


PostLink    Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 2:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You could do both but personally I only take the second pull from the bottom on mine. I don't want to take a chance of infection from taking the krausen and I dump the trub and fast falling yeast first. Then I get the good yeast.
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kal
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Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11116
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 3:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you were expecting 1.070 but got 1.020 then something is seriously off so where. The beer would not taste anything like you expect. Did you lower the hopping to account for the massive difference? If yes, it could be made into some sort or Porter "lite".

Kal

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Squid




Joined: 09 Apr 2016
Posts: 33



PostLink    Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 4:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The hydrometer reading was post boil so a normal hops schedule was used. I didn't really expect 1.077, more like 1.055 ( based on a wild guess). There is nothing wrong with the setup as I have been spot on the numbers in all other batches of other styles of beers ( not using this particular 2-row). I know it's the grain as my colleague is having the same issue. I guess I'll feed my chickens with it and try another batch with a more commercial brand of maltster. This grain came from a local farmer who was trying his hand at malting barley. His malted wheat was ok and made a lovely hefeweizen recently.

Toss or keep was my main concern. Going to brew this recipe again tomorrow.
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kal
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Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11116
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 5:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'd recommend always taking a preboil SG reading too. Let's you know how well the mash conversion worked and you can then adjust accordingly if needed.

Kal

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