Brew Day Checklist | Tinsel & Tinctures

📦 Before You Start (Prep)

Gather all equipment and ingredients
Double-check against recipe card
Clean all equipment that will touch wort post-boil
Fermenter, airlock, funnel, spoon
Prepare sanitizer solution (Star San or similar)
Keep in spray bottle for easy use
Weigh/measure all grains
Pale: 1.75 lbs, Crystal 60: 4 oz, Munich: 4 oz, Biscuit: 2 oz
Measure hops: 0.3 oz East Kent Goldings

Heat 1.5 gallons water to 162°F
Strike water - will drop to mash temp when grain added
Place grain bag in pot, add all crushed grains
Stir well to break up clumps - check temperature
Target: 152°F (150-154°F range OK)
Actual mash temp: ______°F Time started: _______
Cover pot, hold temperature for 60 minutes
Check every 15 min, add brief heat if dropping
Lift grain bag slowly, let drain for 5-10 minutes
Gentle squeeze OK - don't wring hard
Remove grain bag, set aside or compost

Bring wort to rolling boil 212°F
Watch for boil-over! Reduce heat when it starts
Add hops (0.3 oz EKG) - START 60-MINUTE TIMER
Time added: _______
Maintain steady boil for 60 minutes
No lid - we want evaporation
15 min left: Sanitize fermenter, airlock, funnel
5 min left: Prepare ice bath in sink
Timer done! Turn off heat immediately

Place pot in ice bath
Swirl occasionally, replace ice as needed
Cool to <75°F
Takes 20-30 min usually. Final temp: ______°F
Transfer wort to sanitized fermenter
Use sanitized funnel, leave thick sediment behind
Check volume - should be ~1 gallon
Top up with cool water if short
Take OG reading (optional but useful)
OG: _______ (target: 1.062-1.068)