Batch #47: Doppelbock

Brewed to take advantage of the yeast cakes left over from the previous lager. I wanted a dopplebock, and since my fly sparges hadn't been getting good efficiency (65% efficiencies), I thought I'd give batch sparging a shot. Big mistake. I got roughly 45% efficiency on this one. Yuck. When that became clear, I just decided to get it over with and chilled, hence the shorter boil.

Recipe

Grain Bill

17.5 lbs. Meussdoerffer Munich
0.5 lbs. Weyermann Carafa II dehusked

Hops

1.2 oz. U S Hallertauer (2.8% AA) @50 minutes
1 oz. Perle (7.0% AA) @50 minutes

Yeast

White Labs Bock yeast from Pilsner

Mash

Single infusion mash, 75 minutes at 156F.

Vitals

OG: 1.064 (sniff...)
FG:
Calculated IBUs: 38
Carbonation:

Timeline

Brew day: December 29, 2004

12:00: start heating water.
2:30: Mash in with 5.5 gallons of 170-172F water, reaching 156F.
Expect about 1 pint/pound absorption, so 2 gallons + 1 quart
Thus, 5.5 gallons - 2.25 gallons = 3.25 gallons free liquid. Add 1 gallon for the first batch sparge.
3:45: Add 1 gallon of 180F water. Begin first runoff.
3:50: Finish first runoff, add 3.5 gallons of 180F water for second runoff.
3:55: Begin second runoff.
3:59: Finished sparging, about 6.5-7 gallons collected.
5:02: Test out refractometer, reads 14.8 Brix. Hmmmm, seems a bit low.
5:05: Boiling!
6:07: Add hops.
6:30: Add whirlfloc tablet.
6:57: Flame-out and chill.
6:59: Siphon through chiller established.
7:05: Done with transfer.
7:18: 15.6 Brix (refractometer), OG 1.063 (hydrometer). Dammit.
7:25: Pitched, stowed in mid-low 50s basement.

1/5/05: Took refractometer sample, 10.8 Brix. With correction, this comes out to 1.033, even though it was apparently actively fermenting.... Still tastes very sweet. May need to help this one along a bit, somehow.

1/10/05: Another sample, no change. Added sachet of Saflager S-23, hope for the best.

1/14-15/05: Another sample, no change (maybe slightly lower). Kegged, hope for the best.

11/20/05: Went to dump it, noted it tasted good. Gravity sample reads 1.028, taste isn't sickeningly sweet (well, no sweeter than some microbrewed dopplebocks). I think I'll give it a go. Hey, it's free beer, sort of....

Tasting notes

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