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My First Brew Day-Wind, ice melt and clumsiness

Post #1 made 11 years ago
by QuinBrew
Hello all,
First off--woman brewing in Northern Wisconsin--someone was taking a poll of sorts so I thought I'd put up my hand.
Totally new brewer with a totally new kettle and I brewed my first all grain batch before a snowstorm in 14º F/-10º C temps. Not ideal conditions. I dropped part of my grain bill all over the sidewalk and picked up what I could but was wondering the whole time how toxic ice melt could be and would it boil off... I ended up using the kids' sleds as a windbreak but my mash was (after reading here) too short and all over the place. (Yes I wrapped a blanket around it. Next time I'll drag it inside.) Anyway I checked on my cream ale's progress today and it looks and tastes like beer. I hope to bottle in a couple of days.

I'm learning a lot reading up here and am grateful for all the shared knowledge. I'm already planning my next 10 brews and am learning how to grow a little yeast. Will try the BIABicus next time as well.

Thanks,
Nikki
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Post #2 made 11 years ago
by mally
Congratulations & well done on your 1st BIAB Nikki.
I bet the beer will turn out great.

This thread here could be interesting for you to see how others have coped starting out all grain brewing.

By the way, watch out for a guy on here whom is also from Wisconsin, goes by the name of Bobbrews. He will try and get you to play a bewildering game called Cheesestradamus!

:thumbs:
Last edited by mally on 04 Apr 2014, 15:09, edited 1 time in total.
G B
I spent lots of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I squandered
I've stopped drinking, but only when I'm asleep
I ONCE gave up women and alcohol - it was the worst 20 minutes of my life
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Post #3 made 11 years ago
by BobBrews
QuinBrew,

Your brew experience is about typical as they can get. What is also typical is that your beer will be better than your neighbors. Keep at it. I was befuddled on my first BIAB brew. Once I got through it I wondered how and why was I so worried? It's not hard once you do it.

You can play Cheesestradamus with us this upcoming season. Get your family to play. Go Pack Go!
tap 1 Raspberry wine
tap 2 Bourbon Barrel Porter
tap 3 Czech Pilsner
tap 4 Triple IPA 11% ABV
Pipeline: Mulled Cider 10% ABV

http://cheesestradamus.com/ Brewers challenge!
    • SVA Brewer With Over 100 Brews From United States of America

Post #4 made 11 years ago
by QuinBrew
BB, I'd have to say there are waaaaay too many Vikings fans where I am. Lots of "intersportal" families, but I don't judge. They all still drink beer. Thanks for the input and I'd love to play the game. Is it a version of fantasy football?

Mally,
Thanks for the link. Good reading as we're getting another 10 inches of snow right now. Ugh.

Post #5 made 11 years ago
by BobBrews
QuinBrew,
Is it a version of fantasy football?
Not really, It's for family fun. I play against my grand kids, daughters, son-in-laws, home brewers and a international crew of brewers that have never seen a American Football game. The idea is that even if you know nothing about football you stand a even chance to win. I send out token prizes to the winners after the Superbowl.

The answers are picked before the game and when you watch you have something to root for and get to pick on your mate about. (does all that make any sense?) Simply put. I ask various questions and you pick the answers based on the averages that are showing and the average of everybody else's picks showing. It's a no brainer. You don't have to know a thing but if you do know (like me) you can make "educated?" guesses.

I know more about the Packers and their opponents the 99% of the fantasy football players! I study the statistics and listen to every fantasy program. I know what I am doing!! But I don't stand a chance against my grand daughters who just pick any number or player!

Sorry I wasted your time but it is easy to play and fun to pick on your fellow players and you don't have to know a dam thing! I will fix up (I hope) the program over the Summer. (If it ever arrives?) The list of top players is below. The winner was my daughter. Second place went to PP (From "the land down under") My 6 and 7 year old grand daughters beat me too!

Good luck! Bring in your family and play! Go Pack Go!!! :champ:

http://cheesestradamus.com/cheese_king.php
Last edited by BobBrews on 05 Apr 2014, 00:05, edited 1 time in total.
tap 1 Raspberry wine
tap 2 Bourbon Barrel Porter
tap 3 Czech Pilsner
tap 4 Triple IPA 11% ABV
Pipeline: Mulled Cider 10% ABV

http://cheesestradamus.com/ Brewers challenge!
    • SVA Brewer With Over 100 Brews From United States of America

Post #6 made 11 years ago
by PistolPatch
QuinBrew wrote:I brewed my first all grain batch before a snowstorm in 14º F/-10º C temps. Not ideal conditions.
My jaw drops every time I hear about these snow and ice lake brews. You are all crazy :lol:. Congratulations on your first brew. That is really impressive that you jumped straight into all-grain for your first brew. WOW!!!

:clap: :salute: :champ:
QuinBrew wrote:I dropped part of my grain bill all over the sidewalk
See this post in the link mally gave above on how the brewer uses his driveway to measure his grain out :lol:.

And don't worry about the wandering mash temps etc. If your thermometer is correct and you are within the ballpark, things will be great.

As for Cheesetradamus the trick to winning it is to know absolutely nothing about football. Here's the results from the 2013-2014 season. Gloat, gloat, gloat :lol: :lol: :lol:.

Very impressive job on your first ever brew Nikki.

:peace:
PP
Last edited by PistolPatch on 05 Apr 2014, 19:46, edited 1 time in total.
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Post #8 made 11 years ago
by QuinBrew
Cheesehed007,
Thanks!


Now for an update...drum roll please...the beer finished fine and we're currently drinking it :drink: . It tastes good and is crystal clear.
I've got 3 more brews under my belt and am looking forward to nicer brewing weather and a 50# bag of 2-row from the brew shop. I've got plans...including playing around with BB's vodka hop infusion I heard about on Basic Brewing Radio. Great show by the way, especially the Pat and Bob episode. :clap:
Thanks again for all the great advice and support.
Nikki

Post #9 made 11 years ago
by BobBrews
QuinBrew, Cheesehed007, All Packer fans! :champ:

While I have two Wisconsinites together! This year get in with the rest of us BIAB'ers and join in the fun we brew up with Cheesestradamus. Most of the players here have never seen a American Football team play but win at Cheesestradamus anyway! From the preseason on we play all the way through the Superbowl. You don't have to know anything about football. It is family friendly (my grandchildren play against me) and requires no skill at all!! The best part is, I send out prizes to the winners! Get your family or friends in and play against them too. All are welcome! I developed and maintain the site for family fun and teasing each other!

http://cheesestradamus.com

http://www.biabrewer.info/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=2196
Last edited by BobBrews on 08 May 2014, 21:02, edited 1 time in total.
tap 1 Raspberry wine
tap 2 Bourbon Barrel Porter
tap 3 Czech Pilsner
tap 4 Triple IPA 11% ABV
Pipeline: Mulled Cider 10% ABV

http://cheesestradamus.com/ Brewers challenge!
    • SVA Brewer With Over 100 Brews From United States of America
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