I’m puzzled about some of my recent brews.
I’m brewing mostly for whisky wash using 6 lbs two row and 6 lbs peated. I put the grain in twenty litres water at 160 degrees and hold for 90 minutes. I’m using one of those Anvil systems with the grain basket and recirculate periodically. At the end of the mash, I measure the brix before draining at about 16 using a refractometer. Happy with that. I drain the grain and Sparge with four litres water at about 170 degrees. My finished must (wash) is at about 13 brix. A little low.
I tried the same recipe and increased the strike volume to 22 litres and eliminated the Sparge. Again, the brix was 16 at end of mash, but after draining with no Sparge, the brix reduced to 13.
Why do I lose so much after the draining, Sparge or not.
I’ve read quite a bit and can’t figure out what is gong wrong or if this is normal.
Dan
I’m brewing mostly for whisky wash using 6 lbs two row and 6 lbs peated. I put the grain in twenty litres water at 160 degrees and hold for 90 minutes. I’m using one of those Anvil systems with the grain basket and recirculate periodically. At the end of the mash, I measure the brix before draining at about 16 using a refractometer. Happy with that. I drain the grain and Sparge with four litres water at about 170 degrees. My finished must (wash) is at about 13 brix. A little low.
I tried the same recipe and increased the strike volume to 22 litres and eliminated the Sparge. Again, the brix was 16 at end of mash, but after draining with no Sparge, the brix reduced to 13.
Why do I lose so much after the draining, Sparge or not.
I’ve read quite a bit and can’t figure out what is gong wrong or if this is normal.
Dan