Messages

1

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: First time Homebrewer

« on: March 16, 2013, 03:14:41 PM »

I have a double sink that is mounted under the counter. If you have this layout you can do what I do. I close the drain on one side and place the kettle in it. Then I put my faucet in the basin facing the kettle and turn the cold water on. The water fills the basin and flows over to the other side to drain. Kind of works like an immersion chiller in reverse. I get 3 gallons down to pitching temp in 30-40 minutes.

Just a word of caution if you go this route. I used to do this with my old sink because the divider between the basins was lower than the outer rim, allowing the water to flow into the other basin and drain out. Then I had a nice new stainless double sink installed and didn't notice that the divider was the same height as the outer rim of the sink. Uh oh! The one basin filled up and water started seeping out between the sink and countertop in addition to draining into the other basin, flooding my cabinets underneath. That's when I decided to buy an immersion chiller. 

2

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Beer Labels?

« on: March 09, 2013, 01:25:59 PM »

I have recently started making labels for tap handles. I use a combination of label sites on the web and Publisher. I just import images and put text boxes/word art/etc on them. Try these sites out for ideas, plus you can make your own labels on them (some cost money to download the images, though):

http://www.beerlabelizer.com/
http://labeley.com/beer
http://www.grogtag.com/

Here are a few labels I made:

I have also used Adobe Illustrator to make a brewery sign (see below). It's very expensive, but a 30 trial can be downloaded for free. It's definitely combersome if you haven't ever used it, but you can do just about anything with it. You can see it here with my kegerator build post: http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/forum/index.php?topic=10259.0

Those look awesome!

Thanks! It's been a lot of fun putting these together. My plan is to eventually have a different label for each beer style I brew.

3

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Beer Labels?

« on: March 08, 2013, 05:27:17 PM »

I have recently started making labels for tap handles. I use a combination of label sites on the web and Publisher. I just import images and put text boxes/word art/etc on them. Try these sites out for ideas, plus you can make your own labels on them (some cost money to download the images, though):

http://www.beerlabelizer.com/
http://labeley.com/beer
http://www.grogtag.com/

Here are a few labels I made:


I have also used Adobe Illustrator to make a brewery sign (see below). It's very expensive, but a 30 trial can be downloaded for free. It's definitely combersome if you haven't ever used it, but you can do just about anything with it. You can see it here with my kegerator build post: http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/forum/index.php?topic=10259.0

4

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Kegging

« on: March 08, 2013, 02:19:51 PM »

So i havent gotten into kegging yet but its probably going to be coming soon, so its time to research.

Does anyone have a good introduction to the hardware aspect of kegging via some article or thread i dont know about?  Id like to know about equipment needed, difference in type of kegs etc, and typical costs when it comes down to buying said equipment.
thanks
Jeff

Jeff,

Morebeer has a couple of great articles for the beginning kegger on what equipment you need and how to use it. I used the first one (pdf file) to get myself going. Once you decide to build a kegerator/keezer don't forget to check out the pimp my system section of this forum for some great ideas and pictures.

http://morebeer.com/web_files/morebeer.com/files/kegging.pdf
http://morebeer.com/articles/joys_of_kegging
http://morebeer.com/articles/refrigerator_kegerator

5

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Need to clean bathtub...

« on: February 20, 2013, 10:10:39 AM »

I use soft scrub.  I now put an old towel down in the tub and keep the kegs on that to avoid the scuffs completely.

6

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: What's Brewing This Weekend - 11/23 Edition

« on: November 21, 2012, 05:08:08 PM »

Just brewed a nice hoppy pale ale yesterday. Will be doing a Strong Scotch Ale on Friday, and an ESB either Friday or Sunday. Will try to squeeze a Bock in there but it will likely have to wait until next weekend. Gotta get the kegerator refilled after my wedding!!

7

Equipment and Software / Re: Boil kettle

« on: November 21, 2012, 05:03:56 PM »

I can't answer your main question, as I still rack my beer off of the break material. However, my suggestion for you would be to skip the 30qt turkey fryer and get at least a 10 or 15 gal pot.  You will need a 10gal pot if you plan on doing all grain 5-6 gal batches.

8

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Homebrewing Hobby Survey

« on: November 01, 2012, 02:36:08 PM »

Interesting survey. Megan, I forwarded the link on to my coworkers. Hopefully a few of them will help you out.

9

Events / Re: Need suggestions for improving County Fair booth

« on: October 18, 2012, 02:13:04 PM »

I really appreciate everyone's input. I agree that fixing the judging is the most important part of improving the participation. However, that is much easier said than done. I don't think using the BJCP scoresheets will be a big deal, but the group who judges have been doing it for a long time and I get the impression they think it is their right to do it regardless of how good or bad they are. My biggest challenge will be getting some of them to step aside for the greater good. Even though we have two clubs, we don't have any certified judges. One club is basically an older crowd that basically just uses it as a social club (all of the judges come from this club). The other club was formed last year after a few of us got fed up with the other club not doing anything. Several of us want to get certified but just haven't had the time yet.

I really like the idea of a party for the winners. I could probably get our local microbrewery to host an event (we already hold our club meetings there).

10

Events / Need suggestions for improving County Fair booth

« on: October 17, 2012, 03:21:19 PM »

Our county fair hosts a homebrew competition each year and has a booth during the fair which displays the winning beers and ribbons. It's an okay display but boring, with nothing but bottles of beer and ribbons. Additionally, this year saw a record low number of entries (24) and I have heard a lot of grumblings from local club members about the poor quality of judging and overall lame-ness of the booth. I don't want to see the competition removed from the fair, so I approached the Homebrew competition superintendant and discussed the problem. I made a few suggestions and was promptly made vice-superintendant for next year, in charge of making the booth better. 

I'm actually pretty excited about the opportunity and am looking for suggestions to improve our display and increase participation in the comp. My goals for the display are to promote homebrewing to the community and advertise the two local clubs. I hope to improve the judging as well, as the current judges don't provide much if any feedback and the score sheets they use are terrible. Any ideas would be appreciated. Keep in mind that our booth is 16' x 8', of which half is taken up with the winners display. Here are a few things I am thinking about:

1. Use BCJP score sheets instead of crappy score sheet currently used, and encourage/require judges to provide feedback of some kind (though we don't have any certified judges).
2. Have a display with beer equipment and supplies (grains, hops, etc).
3. Staff the display to answer questions and sign up new members.
4. Possibly have a brewing demonstration one evening.
5. Display board with pictures of our club brewing and/or of the brewing process.

11

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Cleaning lines

« on: September 10, 2012, 02:11:13 PM »

I would replace them with new beer and gas lines.  Then you can just clean the connectors.  Trying to get what ever 10 year gunk is dried in them cleaned is more work than it's worth.  Plastic tubing is cheaper than cleaning solvents. 

I would replace all the o-rings too, if it were me. 

Congratulations on getting the kegs!!

Paul

+1 to everything Paul metions.  If they look dirty, they probably are, and that does matter. As with everything else, sanitation is so important.   Also, lines that old may be brittle and prone to cracking once under pressure.

12

All Things Food / Re: Best Mexican and Indian cookbooks?

« on: August 20, 2012, 09:02:40 AM »

My favorite Indian cookbook is Curried Favors by Maya Kaimal Macmillan. Lots of fantastic recipies from all over India (though the focus is Southern India) and very easy to understand. I love Indian food, cook it at least once a week, and this is my go-to cookbook.

http://www.amazon.com/Curried-Favors-Family-Recipes-South/dp/0789206285/ref=pd_sim_b_57

13

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Rookie Needs A Lil Help

« on: May 22, 2012, 04:50:07 PM »

Yep, you definitely killed your yeast by adding it with your almost boiling wort.  A few other things, too. Without more details about your process I might be off here, so ignore the following if you are already doing this.......I wouldn't recommend using ice in the wort as it can contain bacteria. Using it in the water bath to cool your container is okay, but don't put it in the wort.  Also, be careful about pouring hot wort into a cold glass carboy (even with cold water in it). The temperature change can shatter the carboy.  Better to cool it down in your brew kettle then rack it into the cold water (or put cold water into wort, then transfer to carboy).  Anyway, we all make mistakes. Don't worry and keep at it, you will be brewing good beer soon!!

14

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: May seem like a dumb question

« on: May 22, 2012, 09:21:54 AM »

Do not use your hose water to make beer!! A couple of guys in my homebrew club did this when they made their first batch (10 gallons) last year, and the beer had an overpowering hose flavor to it.  They were pretty good sports about all the jokes at their expense, but it was a good lesson for all of us.  The hose flavor did dissipate over the next 6 months or so, but man that stuff was terrible.

Oh, and the only dumb question is the one not asked!

15

All Things Food / The Boss Bacon Burger

« on: May 15, 2012, 09:59:11 AM »

Weaze, this is for you: 

http://now.msn.com/living/0515-epic-bacon-burger.aspx?OCID=media_nowcontrol

1 burger
500 strips of bacon
109,000 calories 

Watch them make this burger on the imbedded YouTube video. 
I think I had a heart attack just watching it.