Rainy Day Brews

Flagship Brown Ale Stats: Brew Date: September 2, 2018 Estimated ABV:5.4% IBU:26 SRM:25 Batch Size: 3 Gallon Grains: · 5lb 8oz Pale Malt(2-Row) · 8oz Carmel 80L · 4oz Chocolate Malt · 1oz Black Barley Hops: · 0.65oz East Kent Goldings (60min) (3.25 AAU) · 0.30oz Liberty (30min) (1.26 AAU) · 0.30oz Willamette (0min) (1.44 AAU) Yeast: · Imperial Yeast - Flagship Ale (A07) · Given my 3.0 Gal batch size and estimated OG of 1.054 there is no need to make a starter when tossing this powerhouse yeast pack. However, I wanted to harvest yeast to use in another batch so I used the starter and harvesting method outlined in previous posts. Misc: · 0.35tbs 5.2 Stabilizer · 0.5 Whirlflock tablet (15min) Brew Day Steps: Collect and heat 2.20 gal strike water Preheat mash tun with hot tap water Add stabilizer to mash water Mash in, smoosh dough balls and mix Mash at 153F for 60 min Collect and heat 2.7 gallons of sparge water Iodine test...

Harvesting and washing yeast intimidated me for a long time. It seemed like a ton of work, a lengthy process and too complicated. It turns out that I was wrong. I cannot take credit for inventing this yeast harvesting method, it has been well documented online. Essentially you make a larger yeast starter than you need (see my previous post about yeast starters). After 24 hours on the stir plate I split the starter into two different (sanitized) containers and put it in the fridge to force the yeast to fall out of suspension and form a cake at the bottom of the containers. I then decant the starter wort off both of the containers. I swirl up on yeast cake and pitch in my aerated wort. I take the second and pour the slurry into several sanitized vials for longer term storage.   What I really love about this method is that you harvest perfectly clean yeast that has only fermented 1.040 SG wort that didn't contain hops...that's a pretty easy life for ...

It is no secret, homebrewing is a lot of work, a labor of love if you will. From planning out your recipe, going to the homebrew shop to pick up your yeast, grains and hops, measuring and milling, cleaning and sanitizing equipment, standing over a boiling kettle, and cleaning up your impressive brew day mess. One of the single most important things that will affect the quality of your batch is yeast count and health. And compared to your other brew day activities....its easy! The best things you can do for your beer is to make a yeast starter. This will ensure that you have ample yeast count and that they are healthy and hungry to munch down all that sugar. It will also reduce the risk of your batch developing off flavors. You may be thinking, "This all sounds fine and great but what the heck is a yeast starter?" I am glad you asked! A yeast starter is basically making a mini beer. You mix yeast with fresh wort and allow it to incubate and propagate, resulting in a sl...