{"id":250,"date":"2020-03-25T22:23:38","date_gmt":"2020-03-25T22:23:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.daftlogic.com\/blog\/?p=250"},"modified":"2020-03-25T22:23:38","modified_gmt":"2020-03-25T22:23:38","slug":"experiences-with-ipa-beer-making-kit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.daftlogic.com\/blog\/2020\/03\/25\/experiences-with-ipa-beer-making-kit\/","title":{"rendered":"Experiences With IPA Beer Making Kit"},"content":{"rendered":"

After receiving the BrewDog Punk IPA Beer Making Kit<\/a> as a gift, I thought I would document my thoughts, mistakes, lessons and (hopefully) comments from tasting the final product.<\/p>\n\n\n

\"BrewDog
Does exactly what it says on the box<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is my first experience home-brewing so this is not an expert guide. Instead, I hope it will highlight basic tips that a novice can take on board to help them steer their good ship “Home Brew” through the perilous waters of the Sea of Fermentation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This guide is was written before, during and after the brewing. Any advice based on hindsight will be highlighted as such.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Beginning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
If only this came out during the prohibition period<\/a>! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Preparation – Read the Instructions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The instructions are something that can’t be avoided…its part and parcel of this ‘brewing experience’. The box itself makes it seem easy enough…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Bring on step 6!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Box Opening<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having a look inside:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Box
Box Opened<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

…and also the Glass Fermenter…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Glass
Glass Fermenter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Preparation – Extra Purchases<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After a scan over the instructions, its clear there are a number of extra, yet apparently optional bits of kit to buy. I do wonder how the New Yorkers are able to store these extras in their super-tiny kitchens. An obvious thought was how optional are these? Is this as bad as attending a yoga class without a yoga mat?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are 3 items I decided to buy for the brewing and also some bottles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(1)<\/strong> Stock Pot 10L (OUMB\u00c4RLIG)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Stock
Stock Pot 10L<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

IKEA. Price: \u00a322<\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.ikea.com\/gb\/en\/p\/oumbaerlig-stockpot-with-lid-00286413\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(2) Funnel with Screen <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Funnel
Funnel with Screen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Amazon. Price: \u00a39.99 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/dp\/B07XRS54B3<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(3) Fine Mesh Strainer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Fine
Fine Mesh Strainer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Amazon. Price: \u00a312.97<\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/dp\/B074539PSF<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, (4) – Bottle with stopper, clear glass, 0.5 l<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IKEA. \u00a31 each, X6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.ikea.com\/gb\/en\/p\/korken-bottle-with-stopper-clear-glass-20322472\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preparation – Getting ahead of One’s Self<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sense would say now is the perfect time to start planning when, how and with whom this delicious “golden classic, packed with new world hops, bursts of caramel, tropical fruit notes and a spiky, bitter finish.” should be shared.However time for some hard work…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pre-Brew: Sanitize<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Its important to make sure all equipment to be used is clean and sterile. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Sanitizer
Sanitizer Packet<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

There is a packet of \u201csanitizer\u201d included in the pack. This is a powder that needs to be dissolved in water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aim here is to sanitizise all tools and equipment that will be in contact with the beer ingredients. So get a big container such as the pot you are about to use, mix some in with water and dip all tools and equipment in before air-drying on paper towels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Drying
Drying after Sanitising<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That wasn\u2019t too difficult. So far, so good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mash<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In short, heat some water, throw in the grain, and then try to keep it within a temperature range for an hour. First, add 2.4 litres of water to a large pot and heat it up. Get it to 71\u00b0C. You will need to place the thermometer provided in the pot. It seems better to balance\/hold it somehow so its bulb is mid-water rather than touching the bottom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Heat
Heat to 71\u00b0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Once the water is at 71\u00b0C, pour in the grain. All of it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mashing
Mashing in<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Give it a good slow stir. Then aim to get the temperature to 65\u00b0C and let cook for 60mins. Keep stirring. The temperature measured might fluctuate if you get a hot spot or clod spot, so either stir often or test the temperature at different locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mashing
Mashing in stir<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After 60 mins, add more heat and get it up to 77\u00b0C. Give it a good stir then take it off the heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"After
After Mashing Out<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Sparge<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Sparge involves drawing out all those sugars and filtering out (most of the) grain. You want to use a filter and 4.25 litres of water heated to 77\u00b0C to extract the sugar out. Use a second pot (if possible) to catch the extracted liquid. Pass it though the filter twice. Try to avoid dropping any extra grain in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The Sparge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Boil<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In short boil the extracted liquid for an hour and add the various hops:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Get the boil underway and heat to the point where some foaming occurs, but not much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The Boil<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Add the hops as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • Add 5 pellets of Ahtanum Hops at start of boil\u00a0<\/li>
  • Add 2\/3 Chinook Hops and 3\/5 remaining Ahtanum Hops 45 minutes into the boil\u00a0<\/li>
  • At 60 minutes, turn off heat – Add remaining hops.\u00a0<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
    \"Adding
    Adding Ahtanum Hops<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Once the boil is complete, take the pot of the heat. You want to cool the liquid down to an ambient temperature. You can do this naturally if you have time. Or use an ice batch of a kitchen sink with cold water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Cool
    Cool Brew Pot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Use a filter with a fine mesh to filter the solids out and fill the glass fermenter <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \n