Group Brew 10/21/09

[Brickhouse]

Good times!  We had several pots going.  I think we had five or six brewers attend.  Dano and Phil brewed up a HUGE Russian Imperial Stout - OG of 1.102!  Wow, I can't wait for that one to come off the yeast.  They took the second runnings to boil, but they did such a good job sparging the RIS that the 2nd runnings gravity was really low!  I'll be on the look out to try that one too.

I brewed a Milk Stout.  It was an allgrain recipe, but I swapped out some LME for the grain and did an extract with steeping grains brew instead. 
One pound of lactose, 2 lbs of Roast Malt and 1.5 pounds chocolate malt in 6 gallons.  OG of 1.066 and 1098 yeast. I also mixed up a batch of Rootbeer.

There was lots of discussion about equipment, mashtun configuration, brew sculpture construction, recipe calculations and the like.   With all that talk I've been inspired to build a sculpture and got an idea for a cheep method of construction.

Phil had some nice beers on tap to share and a very good Rootbeer!  Oh and some awsome salsa too.  Nice weather, good brew, easy brewday - just a great day.

I'm looking forward to another group brew.  I think we need to do a group buy of some hops and grain too.

[BrewerDano]

Did you see the new 32 gallon mashtun?  I just picked up the matching kettle/HLT, today...  Group buys for group brew days should be in the future...  25 gallon brews!

The 2nd runnings batch was OG 1.037.  We got about as much fermentables as we could for the big beer.  The next still has plenty color- so should be a good small stout.  I'm fermenting my small batch w/ a fresh package of Scottish yeast, to attenuate on the beer on the low side, and leave in some body.  The Russian Imperial Stout got about 4 oz of 4x re-pitch American Ale yeast- and is fermenting strong!  I want it to ferment down low enough for the desired  ABV of about 11-12%. 

But, if anyone ever wants a repitch of yeast- lemme know.  We may be able to synch schedules one day.

[Scott Lundgren]

The group brew was a lot of fun. I had a really good time and learned a whole bunch.

Now you have me thinking about going all grain.