Messages

1

Equipment and Software / Re: Propane hardware help please

« on: October 21, 2011, 10:46:20 AM »

I use a flex gas line from the tank to my main line on my stand.  All my piping on my brew stand is steal gas piping from HD with temp controlled asco  valves at each burner (except the boil kettle burner which is manual. I also have a separate ball valve on the MTL and HLT that connect to a small flex copper pipe for pilot lights.  I used liquid pipe thread sealant at all joints and haven't had any issues.  I did, of course, check for leaks a few times before ever firing it up.

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General Homebrew Discussion / Re: lightbulbs

« on: February 11, 2011, 10:54:38 AM »

There are fluorescent lamps that are more of an instant on, they're just a little pricier.  The LEDs are a good source as well, and they don't produce any UV rays, making them great for beer.  Yes, they are expensive now, and the 100K hour life is a very high estimate and most likely far from true, but they do offer a significant energy savings.

3

Equipment and Software / Re: Blichmann Hop Blocker

« on: September 15, 2010, 10:32:24 AM »

I use the paint strainer just like a a tea bag as stated.  I took a piece of PVC pipe, drilled holes in it for some rubar, and use a worm clamp to hold the bag in place.  I just let it sit on top of the kettle, the rubar holds it up, and the bag drops into the wort.  But, by all means, if the hopblocker works for you, you should get it.  I'm a big Blichmann fan, its just that this doesn;t work for me since I prefer whole leaf hops.

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Equipment and Software / Re: Blichmann Hop Blocker

« on: September 14, 2010, 09:01:36 AM »

From what I've heard, the new hopblocker is designed for use with pellet hops, but doesn't work with whole leaf hops.  The previous version works with whole leaf, but not pellets.  In my experience, a 5 gallon paint strainer bag works great with either.  And the cost savings is a couple batches of beer.

5

Equipment and Software / Re: More Beer 1100 BrewSculpture

« on: August 31, 2010, 10:16:22 AM »

I was looking into this a while ago.  Check out the forums on the morebeer site.  There is a a lot of discussion about the various sculpture.  I ultimately ended up building one so i could get it the way i wanted.

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Ingredients / Re: Ginger

« on: August 26, 2010, 09:36:41 AM »

I recently made a blonde ale with ginger.  I used fresh ginger root, peeled it and sliced it.  I added .5oz to the last 5 mins of the boil.  It turned out not to be enough for what I was going for, but not bad.  Funny thing was, at first you couldn't even tell it was there.  But after a couple months in the keg, the ginger started to come out and become quite nice.  I'll brew it again next summer and use an ounce or so in the boil.  Also thinking of making it a ginger kolsch instead of a blonde.

7

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: San Diego Conference - What would make it awesomer?

« on: July 21, 2010, 01:50:04 PM »

you can check out http://sandiegobrewersguild.org/ for a bunch of good info on pubs and brewery locations.  They'll also post up any events taking place as well.  Theres a great area full of beer places within a 4 minute drive of the conference hotel (if I'm guess the hotel right at least). 

oh...and carne asada fries within a 1.5 minute drive, or a short walk...or really any taco shop, so basically at least every .5-1 mile in any direction...

the problem with a beach crawl is there are no good beer spots by the beach.  Its all BMC, well....just about everywhere has some Stone or Ballast point...I vote for a booze cruise.  Alcohol is illegal on the sand or grass, but its ok in the water...just get an innertube and you're good to go...

8

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Whole leaf hops versus pellet hops? (It's not the question you think)

« on: May 17, 2010, 09:54:19 AM »

I'm not sure on the 90 vs 45 pellets issue, but I do know that pellet hops have better utilization for bittering than whole hops do.  I think a good rule of thumb is assume 10% better utilization.  So .9oz pellets + 1oz whole leaf.  If you use a brewing software like beersmith or beer alchemy, it will ask you what for the hops are in and calculate IBUs accordingly.  Also, I have never heard that pellets give more flavor than whole, just bittering qualities.  I actually think they give less flavor, but thats just me.

9

Equipment and Software / Re: Co2 tank - - inside or outside the fridge?

« on: May 07, 2010, 09:14:05 AM »

Having the co2 tank in or out of the fridge will have no effect on its function or your beer.  It's really more of a convenience thing.  If you have room in the fridge, it keeps it out of the way so you don;t trip on it, and make it look a little nicer (you probably don't want a co2 tank sitting out in your living room).  On the other hand, having the tank outside may make room for an additional corny keg.  I was using a 5lb tank and had inside the chest freezer, but I have since switched to a 20lb tank and keep it outside.  Now I not only have a larger tank that i can refill cheaper and not as often, but I can also add another keg to my setup.

10

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: WLP 565. What's all the fuss?

« on: April 21, 2010, 08:56:45 AM »

I just used this strain for the first time with a saison that started around 1.060.  I tested gravity after 1 week and it was only down to 1.042.  But then I checked it a week or so later and it was down to 1.014, still a little higher than I wanted so I'm letting it sit for another week, although i did rouse the yeast a little bit.  I made a small starter with about a pint of wort, then stepped it up with 2 pints a couple days later.

11

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: Yeast for Dunkelweizen?

« on: January 27, 2010, 10:12:12 AM »

I'm not very familiar with wyeast, as I typically use white labs for liquid, but I love White labs bavarian weizen eyast for my dunkelweizen, so i would say you made a good choice in your substitution.  I prefer more spicy/clove in my dunkelweizen and the white labs bavarian weizen yeast shows no sign of banana, which I like.

12

Equipment and Software / Re: me no understand refractometer correction....

« on: January 26, 2010, 09:43:20 AM »

I use the refractometer correction spreadsheet from morebeer.  I can't remember where I got the link to it though.  It has worked for me and I have checked it several times against my hydrometer and its always spot on.  I can't remember the last time I used my hydrometer, except random double checking of the spreadsheet.

13

Kegging and Bottling / Re: set-and-forget carb problems

« on: January 11, 2010, 11:05:31 AM »

I have found that 1 week is typically not enough to fully carbonate.  It's very rare that i pull my first pint before the 2 week mark.  FWIW, I use a single regulator with manifolds to connect to 4 kegs. 

As far as your other question, I always leave my beers in primary for 2-3 weeks, sometimes longer.  You should be fine leaving it until your legs are carbed.

14

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Simcoe And Amarillo in a Pale Ale?

« on: January 11, 2010, 11:00:06 AM »

I love this combo for APA.  I make one very similar to yours but with all flavor aroma additions split 50/50 and dry hop 50/50.  This weekend was my first time using simcoe to bitter this, as I usually use chinook, but the difference will be marginal.

15

Equipment and Software / Re: Carboy Hauler

« on: January 06, 2010, 11:09:23 AM »

I use these and love them.  I ferment in a temp controlled chest freezer and these are essential for getting the carboys in/out of the freezer.