2 part brewday

[mawa]

Haven't posted in a long time, but still read the forums regularly.

Since the last time I posted I started brewing all-grain and have brewed 3 AG batches so far, 2 APA's and a bitter. The APA's turned out great the bitter not so much but the important thing is that I'm understanding the AG process better with every batch.

This saturday I have a brew day planned but just learned this afternoon that I have a business meeting at noon that day. I'll have around 2 hours in the morning to brew and another 2 or 3 in the afternoon after a 3 hour break.

I'm thinking of doing the mash and sparge during the first 2 hours and then just leave the wort covered until I come back and start the boil then. Will there be any problem with this process? What other options do I have?

Mawa

BTW I'm brewing WOP31's American Honey Amber Ale.....any recommendations for brewday?

[oldwoman]

That should work fine. If you want to leave some body you might consider doing a mashout to stop all enzymatic activity. Since you are going to boil it anyway contamination should be little concern.

[Tankard]

Good to see you around here again, mawa. Congrats on making the leap to AG.

[mawa]

Thanks Tankard.

Question about mashout; I just need to raise the temp to 158 F correct? just add a few pint of boiling water until I reach that temp? How much time should I leave it at that temp?

[mr x]

Mashout you can take up to 168-170, but don't go over. It probably doesn't make much difference how long you leave it. I would just mix it up and start your vorlauf.

[oldwoman]

+1 to mr x. So long as the temp hits 170 the enzymes should be taken care of and conversation should basically stop

[mawa]

Turns out my wife is not leaving town as planned so I'll have to move brewday (and a few other fun activities :D) to next saturday.

But thanks for the info about mashout, i'm going to try it next time.

Mawa