Cold Hard Winter Redux (2025 edition)

Brewed on 10/28/25. Needed 15 gallon kettle, 10 gallon kettle, and 5 gallon kettle, mash tun, hot water tank, and 2 gallon kettle.

Weather was cool (40-50 degrees and 5+mph winds).

Both Iodine tests were positive.

Temperatures were 155 in mash #1. 158 in mash #2.

Wort from mash #1 was integrated with grains for mash #2. Added 2 gallons of boiling water to Mash 2. Mashed over flame and captured nearly 8 gallons. Boiled down to 5.5 SOMEHOW! Yes, lost 2.5 gallons!

Nugget hops were 1oz @ 14.7% and 0.25 oz @ 11.9%.

Initially planned for 1.065 preboil.

Actual OG was 1.09 approximately on 28 October 2025.
Anticipate FG around 1.02 for approximately 9% ABV, which is still within style.

Was able to peel off much wort into another beer. (see Someone else's problem)

Will create a starter for Nottingham (95 degrees of 1/2 cup water. Let sit for 15 minutes. Add with White Labs 028 Edinburgh Ale.)

Used a total of 18 gallons of water for making 2 beers.



Rack into secondary or aging vessels, and split:

Variant Additions Duration
Classic None 2–3 weeks bulk condition
Vanilla 1 split bean/gallon (vodka-soaked) 1–2 weeks
Espresso 1 oz cold brew/gallon Blend to taste before bottle
Bourbon Oak 1–1.5 oz bourbon + 0.5 oz oak cubes/gallon 3–4 weeks aging

Then bottle and age 8+ weeks. This beer gets exponentially better after 3–6 months.