1
Yeast and Fermentation / Re: Shipping yeast in the worst heat wave ever
« on: July 09, 2012, 06:36:15 PM »
Make a two stage starter. See if that yeast is good before you buy more.
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2
Ingredients / Re: Whether or not to dry hop
« on: March 21, 2012, 03:26:38 PM »
My answer, add the dry hops, use lots of late addition hops in the boil, enough bittering addition hops for a firm bitterness, and first wort hops. Can you tell I love the hops. Obviously, a brewer with a limited hop supply and budget should scale back, but for me, add plenty of hops always.
Cheers.
Cheers.
3
General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Batch 500
« on: March 12, 2012, 06:26:22 PM »
VERY IMPRESSIVE. I brew 5 gallons every other week, about 26 batches a year and I have been pretty consistent with that for 6 years. So, I estimate I have brewed approximately 150, not close to 500 though.
4
Equipment and Software / Re: Proper Drill for Milling Grain
« on: September 28, 2011, 05:53:23 PM »
After reading these posts and doing some homework, I opted for the 1/2 heavy duty low speed drill from harbor freight in my earlier post. Drill specs are:
variable speed control from 0 to 550 rpm
double gear reduction motor for increased torque
120 volts, 7.5 amps
Someone mentioned that this may be too much drill... nah... let her rip, lol. Thanks for your help. I can't wait to brew a double IPA and mill the grain with this bad boy.
variable speed control from 0 to 550 rpm
double gear reduction motor for increased torque
120 volts, 7.5 amps
Someone mentioned that this may be too much drill... nah... let her rip, lol. Thanks for your help. I can't wait to brew a double IPA and mill the grain with this bad boy.
5
Equipment and Software / Re: Proper Drill for Milling Grain
« on: September 27, 2011, 06:23:31 PM »
I browsed the internet and found this: http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-heavy-duty-spade-handle-drill-93632.html
What do you think about that drill. Like I say, I am not sure what I need to get the job done.
What do you think about that drill. Like I say, I am not sure what I need to get the job done.
6
Equipment and Software / Proper Drill for Milling Grain
« on: September 27, 2011, 05:53:43 PM »
I have a barley crusher and have hand cranked grain for about 5 years. At some point in time, I will have to replace my grain mill. But, I also want to buy a drill and hook it up to the grain mill - I am tired of the hand crank. I wanted to know about homebrewers experiences using drills to power their mills, and what kind of drill should I buy? I really know nothing about the various power tools out there and I feel lost looking at all the models speeds etc. for power drills. All I can say for sure, is that I am leaning towards a corded drill and I prefer to have it cost less $100. Let me know what you all think and thanks in advance.
7
Beer Recipes / Re: Recipe Ideas for the Hophead
« on: September 17, 2011, 05:03:23 AM »
Good suggestions everyone. I have done some of ideas mentioned here. A couple of summers ago, I did a series of single hopped beers (keeping the grist the same). I have also made beers with piles of late hops and dry hops and I love them both. I also agree with becoming your own critic, because I rarely brew to style. Here are some ideas I have including one recommended by Denny above:
1) all munich IPA
2) IPA with a small of oak cubes (maybe just 1) in with the dry hops
3) the hell with an IBA - I want to make porter/stout base with an IPA hop bill
4) And, I want to try a few different hops (maybe a pile of noble hops, late hopping)
Any other ideas welcome and thanks for your thoughts.
1) all munich IPA
2) IPA with a small of oak cubes (maybe just 1) in with the dry hops
3) the hell with an IBA - I want to make porter/stout base with an IPA hop bill
4) And, I want to try a few different hops (maybe a pile of noble hops, late hopping)
Any other ideas welcome and thanks for your thoughts.
8
Beer Recipes / Recipe Ideas for the Hophead
« on: September 11, 2011, 12:40:55 PM »
As my username suggests, I LOVE hoppy beers. I have been homebrewing for 5.5 years now and for the last 2.5 to 3 years, I have always had a very hoppy beer on tap/bottled or fermenting. An american pale ale/IPA (but with higher hopping rates that bjcp style guides) is my favorite.
I want to get some "interesting" recipe ideas from the forum. But, I know that I will not be happy with drinking a malty beer. All my recipes generally average a ratio of IBU to GP of 1.0 to 1.5. Essentially, I want to experiment with different flavors for my hoppy beers. Got any suggestions for the insane hophead? Let me have 'em and thanks in advance.
I want to get some "interesting" recipe ideas from the forum. But, I know that I will not be happy with drinking a malty beer. All my recipes generally average a ratio of IBU to GP of 1.0 to 1.5. Essentially, I want to experiment with different flavors for my hoppy beers. Got any suggestions for the insane hophead? Let me have 'em and thanks in advance.
9
Yeast and Fermentation / Re: How much yeast can you crop from the top?
« on: September 06, 2011, 05:55:29 PM »
I top crop Wyeast 1318 all the time, it is my house strain. I have kept this strain going from batch to batch for 10 different batches of beer before I opt for a new pitch. How much can you top crop you ask? A lot. I would not crop all the krausen, you need that yeast to finish the beer currently in fermenter. Generally speaking, if you crop approximately 1 cup of krausen and use that for your next batch you will PLENTY of healthy yeast and you should get a quick start on the next batch. I like to boil water, cool it, then put the top cropped yeast in the water in a flask and refrigerate it until I brew the next time. If top cropping becomes a practice you use a lot, I recommend two things, one use some servomyces or yeast nutrient when you brew and use pure oxygen for oxygenation of the batch. Repitching yeast that is chronically under aerated (oxygenated) and depleting nutrients can cause poor fermentations.
Please post back and let me know what you think when you top crop. The 1318 LIVES on top of the beer, you should have no problems.
Please post back and let me know what you think when you top crop. The 1318 LIVES on top of the beer, you should have no problems.
10
All Grain Brewing / Re: So your Barley Crusher won't Crush?
« on: April 17, 2011, 05:29:14 AM »
I am glad to see that others have had this issue as well. I thought my BC problems were just me doing something dumb. I have had my BC for about 4 years and have brewed almost 25 batches per year with it (average grain per batch is about 14 lbs). So what is that? 1,400 lbs.. Not bad, but the BC is showing its age. I have to take it apart every other brew and clean it and then brush the rollers with a metal wire brush and this "seems" to help. Eventually, I will buy a monster mill.
11
Ingredients / Re: Patented Hops
« on: December 29, 2010, 02:07:16 PM »
Here is a plant patent definition from the patent office, first two questions answered:
A plant patent is granted by the Government to an inventor (or the inventor's heirs or assigns) who has invented or discovered and asexually reproduced a distinct and new variety of plant, other than a tuber propagated plant or a plant found in an uncultivated state. The grant, which lasts for 20 years from the date of filing the application, protects the inventor's right to exclude others from asexually reproducing, selling, or using the plant so reproduced.
A plant patent is granted by the Government to an inventor (or the inventor's heirs or assigns) who has invented or discovered and asexually reproduced a distinct and new variety of plant, other than a tuber propagated plant or a plant found in an uncultivated state. The grant, which lasts for 20 years from the date of filing the application, protects the inventor's right to exclude others from asexually reproducing, selling, or using the plant so reproduced.
12
Ingredients / Re: Patented Hops
« on: December 29, 2010, 01:52:55 PM »
I found the amarillo patent. I searched the US Patent Office for VGXP01. As in Amarillo® VGXP01 c.v.
However, all I am getting in the search is an abstract....that is not answering my questions.
However, all I am getting in the search is an abstract....that is not answering my questions.
13
Ingredients / Re: Patented Hops
« on: December 29, 2010, 01:38:16 PM »
Actually, Amarillo, Citra, and Palisade are patented. I found this file with a google search, follow this link:
www.lfl.bayern.de/ipz/hopfen/10585/ihgc_list_2010.pdf
Download the pdf and go to page 5.
This is a list of patented and protected hops from the international hop growers convention 2010. If they are actually patented, I would think that you could search for the actual patent. I will do this next and report back.
www.lfl.bayern.de/ipz/hopfen/10585/ihgc_list_2010.pdf
Download the pdf and go to page 5.
This is a list of patented and protected hops from the international hop growers convention 2010. If they are actually patented, I would think that you could search for the actual patent. I will do this next and report back.
14
Ingredients / Patented Hops
« on: December 29, 2010, 11:26:43 AM »
Can anyone explain to the uninformed (read... me), how the patents for hops work? Specifically:
1) What exactly do the patents cover? (only grown by a particular farmer, royalties to inventor if grown by others,etc.)
2) How long are the patents good for?
3) What happens when the patents expire?
4) Cascade hops are not patented, did they use to be?
5) Will we ever be able to buy, Amarillo, Citra, and Palisade )etc.) rhizomes?
Thanks in advance from a curious home brewer.
1) What exactly do the patents cover? (only grown by a particular farmer, royalties to inventor if grown by others,etc.)
2) How long are the patents good for?
3) What happens when the patents expire?
4) Cascade hops are not patented, did they use to be?
5) Will we ever be able to buy, Amarillo, Citra, and Palisade )etc.) rhizomes?
Thanks in advance from a curious home brewer.
15
General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Ask the Experts
« on: October 04, 2010, 06:10:02 AM »
Denny, great idea for exclusive AHA member content.
I am personally very interested and want to learn more about Top Cropping Yeast. The knowledge in publications (mags, books, etc.) is usually just very general and not the main topic. I love to hear an expert that top crops regularly on techniques, when and how, what the yeast looks like, viability, and effects or drift of yeast from batch to batch. Either homebrewers or pro brewers that top crop would be great. I think the D.L. Geary Brewing Co. in Maine top crops, but I don't know of many other pro brewers that do.
I am personally very interested and want to learn more about Top Cropping Yeast. The knowledge in publications (mags, books, etc.) is usually just very general and not the main topic. I love to hear an expert that top crops regularly on techniques, when and how, what the yeast looks like, viability, and effects or drift of yeast from batch to batch. Either homebrewers or pro brewers that top crop would be great. I think the D.L. Geary Brewing Co. in Maine top crops, but I don't know of many other pro brewers that do.