So we waited four days past the original bottling date, which is the maximum allowed based on Williams’ Homebrewing instructions. This wait was due to the desire to get the most possible alcohol out of the brew and also due to some time constraints…we gotta have our labor days not land on Fridays so much.
The density read at 1.012, which is plenty below the required maximum density reading of 1.016. Each beer has its own density reading which indicates the alcohol content of the beer. This measurement is made by using a hydrometer, which measures density (also specific gravity). The higher the density, the higher the alcohol content. There is an informative article about the hydrometer on wikipedia. Other instruments exist that measure various characteristics of beer that can be very important. Check em out.
But nonetheless, we sterilized and bottled the Belgian Blonde in green bottles today, thanks to the donation of Maria from the Cigar Factory New Orleans. The bottles are now aging and carbonating as they age. In 9 days we will pop one open and take the first official swig. We tried the wort today and it definitely ahs decent alcohol taste as well as a fairly smooth blonde character. It has a somewhat Heffeweisen taste to it, much like the other batches….something to be looked into.
Unfortunately, my digital camera was out of juice today….and of course I figured this out right before I began bottling and had no time to charge it to catch the process. More media to come in the future folks.
Here are the notes I added for today’s progress. Lab note style somewhat, but I’m no scientist like Hunter, just a new brewer.
3/17/09
Bottling:
Checked gravity, reading: 1.012
Rinsed and scrubbed (with bottle brush) all green bottles from soaking tub. Let dry for 4 hrs.
Siphoned Wort into Priming Tank.
Added Priming Sugar.
Lost at least 20 oz. of beer in transfer due to failure to check valve on Priming Tank. Yield was approx. 4 gallons in end.
Bottled all beer into 41 sterile green bottles.
Stored in red crate below new bar position, covered by empty six packs and boxes.
Began soaking 50 brown bottles and 1 clear Corona bottle in soaking tub with fairly highly concentrated bleach solution.
