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Posted 2012/10/14

Homebrew - Dubbel 'Em Up

This was my first partial mash using a converted cooler to mash in. Using the Internet and a bit of guessing I came up with my own schedule which I expect will be dialed in as I get more experience.

Method

  • Heat 1 quart of water per pound of grain to 158.
  • Add all the grains to the mash tun and add the water. Make sure the temperature does not drop below 152. Mash for 75 minutes, stir half way through.
  • Heat 1.3 quarts of water per pound of grain to 175.
  • Drain the wort slowly andsparge with the 175 degree water. Try to keep some water above the grain bed.
  • Bring wort to the boil.
    • Once boiling add any other fermentables (like malt extract).
    • Bring back to the boil.
    • 0 Add bittering hops.
    • Boil for 20 minutes.
    • 20 Add flavoring hops.
    • Boil for 10 minutes.
    • 30 Add a tea spoon of Irish moss.
    • Boil for 5 minutes.
    • 35 Put the wort chiller into the boil (to santize).
    • Boil for 5 minutes.
    • 40 Add finishing hops.
    • Boil for 5 minutes.
    • 45 Cool wort to 65 degrees and pour through a strainer into a fermenting bucket.
  • Top up the bucket, take a hydrometer reading, add the yeast and ferment for 3 weeks.

The 158 degree mash water dropped to 146 after adding the grain and I had to top it up with boiling water to get up to 152. Assuming the same grain volume I would use 164 degree water next time (making sure to keep the mash temperature between 148-158).

Ingredients: Dubbel 'Em Up, Partial mash kit from Midwest Hombrewing Supply
Starter:     07 Oct 2012 
Brew:        14 Oct 2012, OG 1.061
Bottle:      05 Nov 2012 (22), FG 1.004, ABV 6.7%
Ready:       26 Dec 2012 (51)
Summary:     Primary 22 days, Condition 51 days

I think I forgot that this was a Dubbel when I tried it because I was stunned by the taste. After drinking a few it is still surprising me. In the glass it has finished crystal clear and medium brown. It is very carbonated with tiny bubbles but has a very modest head that quickly turns into only a few mm. So I guess the head retention is poor. The number of bubbles makes it feel very nice as long as you get a move on and drink it.

It smells a bit home brewey which is disappointing but this comes across less in the flavor. Although it is quite strong you don't really get any alcohol after taste. It is very smooth, malty at the start and bitter at the end. This makes it very drinkable, at 6.7% perhaps too drinkable :)

I am happy with my first partial mash and learnt a lot about what to do next time. This was also my return to not using a secondary, instead I am relying on Irish moss and an extra week in the primary. Unless I need to add stuff to the secondary or want to lager this is going to be my go to schedule.

Starter

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Brew

2012-10-14 1410201218052626.jpg 2012-10-14 1410201219091162.jpg 2012-10-14 1410201219224627.jpg 2012-10-14 1410201220345017.jpg 2012-10-14 1410201220375593.jpg 2012-10-14 1410201220394819.jpg 2012-10-14 1410201220473470.jpg 2012-10-14 1410201220491467.jpg 2012-10-14 1410201221182514.jpg 2012-10-14 1410201222032423.jpg 2012-10-14 1410201222085811.jpg 2012-10-14 1410201223022694.jpg

Bottle

2012-11-05 0511201219130419.jpg 2012-11-05 0511201220112629.jpg 2012-11-05 0511201220185725.jpg 2012-11-05 0511201220210419.jpg 2012-11-05 0511201221043023.jpg

Ready

2012-12-26 2612201218524519.jpg 2012-12-26 2612201220190322.jpg