Recent content by KiaOraBrew

Very true but I presume they'd want the value of the device as deposit and then you're just reliant on them sticking to their word

Whats the go on these new digital airlock/fermentation sensors? Does anyone use Plaato? Its a good £50 cheaper - I wanted to know if it was as accurate as Tilt? Whats your verdict?

I'll probably try and let it ferment right out. Theres lactose in there so i don't think it'll get too dry.

I'm inclined to agree as my previous DIPA came up as OG 1.078 and FG 1.021 (7.5%) and I swear its boozier than that.. I should have taken a hydro reading to compare...

I took it with a refractometer.

A very strong fermentation is happening. Its quite hot despite the room being an ambient 18 degrees, the fermenter is sitting at 24 degrees! This yeast is crazy. I ended up pitching 2 x S-04 and 1 x US-05 to ensure cell counts were high enough to hit the numbers (Despite them being mysteriously...

US I presume that's what Brewers Friend measures in. My fermenter bucket is US gallons

Steeped at 160 F for 35 mins. I've reduced the efficiency to 0 in Brewers Friend and it still wouldn't come out anywhere near as low as mine has.

I cooled the wort down to about 23-24 degrees then topped it up with 10 degree water from the tap to reach 4.5 ish gallons overall. The recipe called for 5 but I reduced to account for the boilover to try hit my numbers.

Ok somehow something has gone wrong. I've followed all ingredients and the recipe to the tee but somehow my SG has come to 1.081 according to my refractometer? Is that just a dodgy reading do you think? How could it come up so low?? I had a slight boilover but I'd say nothing more than a pint...

I've heard people getting 12, 13, 14% with S-04 if you keep agitating the yeast cake as you gravity test etc. I may give it a go as I don't have time to get an extra yeast packet. Wish me luck!

Also do you think I'll struggle to hit 10-11% with S-04? I really wanted to brew this weekend so I don't have time to get more. I don't mind having to pitch bottle conditioning yeast before bottling if I run S-04 into the ground but I just want it to hit the ABV.

Was that an Imp Stout? How did that turn out for you? Im concerned about mouth feel with mine. I don't want it to have a watery mouth feel - Thinking I may add some Oats for mouth feel?

I was gonna rehydrate two packs of S-04 in chilled boiled water. Think thats enough? Or maybe pitch 3 to be sure?

Im doing probably a 2.5-3 gal boil in the pot. Takes around 20-25 mins to get the strike water to temp and then around another 20 to get it up to a boil when needed. (From memory)