This weekend I hope to be brewing my first All Grain brew. (Weather, energy and completion of kit permitting.)
I aim to brew an American Pale Ale of sorts, having picked up some JWM grains from G&G today (thanks to all who persuaded me away from Powells for my first brew) and some hops and yeast from Craftbrewer in the last couple of days (believe the stories about Ross' sterling customer service).
The BIAB technique is a single-vessel, full-volume mash, no-sparge technique devised by a bunch of guys who frequent the AussieHomeBrewer forum. I will be using the F-Big Boiler spotted by velophile and a 2400W immersion heater so I don't kill my benchtops. The bag is made from a close-weave nylon curtain 'sheer' (with an $18 sewing machine from the Reject Shop).
It occurred to me while making my last brew - a mini-mash partial extract affair - that the BIAB technique wasn't much more complex and didn't taste of banjos...
My first batch will be 23litres (-ish) and comprise:
4.5kg JWM Traditional Ale
0.5kg JWM Light Munich
0.25kg JWM Crystal
0.25kg JWM Wheat Malt
I will be hopping with Willamette and Amarillo Gold, aiming for mid to high 20 IBUs (depending on how efficient my mashing is). I don't want to hide the malt flavour in hops, but rather get that 'balance' that I guess everyone strives for.
I will be using either S-04 or US-56 yeast. Frankly, I haven't decided yet. I do know I will be using some Irish Moss and my filter bag.
Here's the linky for the BIAB thread: http://www.aussiehomebrewer.com/forum/i ... opic=11694
I'm all excited and nervous, but open to criticism...