Re: First recipe without a kit

James wrote:
> I just made my first batch with a recipe instead of a kit.  See below* I

> had a couple of questions.  What is the purpose of gypsum and does it 
> make a huge difference?  From my brewing books, it gives the water some 
> minerals making it heavier and changing the PH levels.  I use city tap, 
> but it still has a little "flavor" to it.
> 
> Second, for priming, is corn sugar the best or are there other options?
> 
> 3 lbs dark malt
> 1 lb Belgium candy
> 2.5-3lbs Honey
> 1 oz Cascade
> 1 oz Fuggles
> 1 tsp Irish moss
> 1 package Muntons
> 
> I started the honey in the water and brought it to low boil added the 
> malt, candy and 1/2 oz Cascade.  I added the other 1/2 Cascade @[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 30 min.

> 1/2 Fuggels at 15 min then the other 1/2 Fuggels and Irish moss at 5 
> min.  Total cook time about 1 hour 30 with 1 hour boil.  I got a very 
> clear brown with a foamy head when I poured it into the primary and 
> there was a great malty/hoppy smell.  The starting gravity was 1.05 and 
> I could here it chugging along in the closet this morning.
> 
>  From what I have read, adding the honey in early and boiling it removes

> most of its flavor and character.  I'm not sure why that would be.  I 
> also read an article in Zymurgy talking about the difference the type of

> sugar you use can make.  My whole theory on this one was a mellow dark 
> beer pu****ng on the sweet side.  So final question, at what gravity 
> should I put in the secondary and what final would/should I expect?

Ok, so I bottled two weeks ago and have tested twice.  The beer, while 
it tastes good, is flat.  What could have caused this?  This was the 
first batch I did a secondary ferment on and it was very clear.  Did I 
not have enough yeast in suspension?  Given the amount of sugar in the 
primary, did it just "burn out" the yeast?  Finally, is there any hope 
of recovery on these?  I will let them sit for a while and see what 
happens.  The very first batch I did seemed flat at firs, but after 
three months has really come around.

-- 
James

"Filled with mingled cream and amber; I will drain that glass again; 
Such hilarious visions clamber; Through the chamber of my brain; 
Quaintest thoughts, queerest fancies; Come to life and fade away.  What 
care I how time advances?  I am drinking ale today."

~ Edgar Allan Poe