First Kolsch

First Kolsch. Similar to the house blonde. I thought I wanted to try something different with EKA. So I figured we'd try a different yeast. Why not a Kolsch yeast?

Things have already been interesting, Last night I made a starter. When I woke up this morning to check on it, the stir plate had stopped, there was a thick layer of yeast on the bottom and it was HOT! I put it in the garage because I thought it would be cooler there then in the house. I don't know how that's going to really effect the beer but we are going to give it a go anyway.

Also, when I went to type this up on the computer my battery is TU. Need to replace it. Typing this on Ellie's old laptop.

Lastly, when I went to pull the ingredients from the fridge I forgot I bought an once of Amarillo. So I guess this won't be the most traditional Kolsch. I'll add it in the last minute.

Anyhow, here the ingredients:

8lbs 2 row.
0.5lbs crystal 10L.

1oz Willamette 5.2AA @60min
1oz Amarillo 8.4AA @1min

WLP029 x2 02/14/14 Lot# 1002198

10 gallons distilled
2 gram gypsum
5 gram calcium chloride
2 gram epsom salt

whirlfloc
servomyces

10:25am - Typing some stuff now. Got water all made. Ready to start the brew day.

11:10 - Mashed in at 150F. Well smooth. pH about 5.2. So far boring.

12:06 - Sparging. First screw up of the day. I mounted my ball valve on the mash tun backwards. I was able to rotate the valve so the lever is pointing down and can be opened a little bit. This caused the mash tun to leak so it's getting fun.

2:32 - Boil non eventful. I got the chiller in there and all hooked up. I did shorten up the re-circulation portion in an effort to keep it from stalling. It only stalled once, so that's good. Once I killed the boil and started the chilling water there was a problem. There was a kink in the line. It built up a ton of pressure and when it straightened itself out it shot boiling water at tremendous pressure into the basin which splashed up into my face. The left side of my cheek just under my eye is burned and it is a little painful, I think it will be ok. But it could have been much worse. I could have hurt some poor person like Ellie or Kevin who would have been in there. Lesson learned.

3:37 - Done. Chilled the beer too much. It is now 60F which is too cold for this beer. It should warm up ok. But note to self that we need to monitor the temp when chilling more closely. The OG is 1.047. It tastes good. My face feels better. Eager to eat, watch football, drink beer, and hang with my family.