Messages

1

All Grain Brewing / Re: floating rice hulls

« on: February 04, 2013, 10:28:46 am »

Thanks!  Yeah, I don't get any stuck mashes.  It's just an annoyance.  Rice hulls are cheap anyway. 
I appreciate y'all weighing in.

2

All Grain Brewing / floating rice hulls

« on: February 03, 2013, 05:12:50 am »

When I add rice hulls in my mash (I will both mix some in with the dry grain, before mashing, and periodically sprinkle a some in the tun while adding the grain) I notice that I always have a bunch floating at the top.  It looks as though I just threw some at the end for good measure.  Anybody else have this?  I don't think they do a whole lotta good there at the top.

3

The Pub / Sandy vs. East Coasters

« on: November 16, 2012, 10:33:04 am »

How are all you east-coasters doing after Sandy?  My heart goes out to y'all! 
I'm sure I'm not the only one wondering how things are going amidst the aftermath.

4

All Grain Brewing / Re: 1st 10 gallon batch

« on: October 03, 2012, 01:15:23 pm »

twice as much beer is nice.  it seems there's a whole new set of rules with 10 gal batches.  or rather more amendments to the rules. 

i didn't consider the chilling either.  that took a while.

"I'm gonna need a bigger boat!"

5

Equipment and Software / Re: keg into fermenter

« on: October 03, 2012, 01:09:13 pm »

vittles vaults - good idea.  i've seen 'em around.  never thought about using them as a fermenter.

i was planning on cutting the top out so i could top-crop the yeast and then have the bottom and lower/front valves as well. 

transporting the liquid is another hurdle for the future.

6

Equipment and Software / keg into fermenter

« on: September 30, 2012, 12:25:38 pm »

Anybody out there convert a 15gal ss keg into a fermenter?  I've been running the logistics over and over in my head and I think it could work for a nice 10 gal FV, but I'm also wondering if anybody's ever done it with any success.  It'd kinda be designed after a conical, but not quite.  Advice?

7

All Grain Brewing / 1st 10 gallon batch

« on: September 30, 2012, 09:09:20 am »

so... twice the grains and everything means twice the propane too?  Something I didn't consider.  Good thing I just filled up, but anyone got any input?

8

All Grain Brewing / Re: Too much caramunich, doh!

« on: September 30, 2012, 09:06:15 am »

I imagine it'll complement the cranberries really nice.  Got a friend who made an ABA with a pound of caramunich which dominated the beer.  I'm hoping the second bottle will be nice next year.  But I think the cranberries will be a really nice touch.  How much are you planning to use?

9

Ingredients / root beer foam

« on: September 12, 2012, 03:38:15 pm »

Anybody know if there's a certain ingredient used to get that long-lasting rocky, foamy head in a root beer?  I keg-carbed my 1st root beer attempt.  Wondering if bottle-conditioning it would work better (obviously in a plastic 2L)  It tasted great, but the head had no retention. 

I steeped 6 oz of rolled oats hoping to give it a thick, creamy mouthfeel and that would help the head.  Score: zero for zero.

Any thoughts?

10

Equipment and Software / Keg Mash/Lauter Tun Insulation

« on: September 10, 2012, 09:24:59 am »

Does anyone have any recommendations on how to insulate a mash/lauter tun converted from a 15-gal SS keg?  (materials and general how-to)

11

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Root beer and kegs

« on: September 07, 2012, 09:38:19 am »

Wow!  Glad I stumble upon this as I made plans to brew some root beer with my son, keg-carb it and bottle/jug it. 

Will it retain the flavors even if it's only in there for a few days?

12

Going Pro / Re: realistically, what does it take?

« on: August 06, 2012, 09:39:18 am »

god bless the sage nuggets of wisdom people post here.  i've been half-heartedly doing some research into starting something up and it's daunting - to say the least.  deadends and almost every path i take.  i won't be too disappointed if nothing ever materializes from my research, but i do know that people go pro all the time.  and for those people, i have a great respect.  much perserverence, research and money is needed to take it pro.  so far the best thing to do (from what i've read) is work for someone else for a few years to learn the ropes.

13

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Entered my first beer

« on: April 19, 2012, 01:23:04 pm »

Siciliano's?  Good luck!  I entered that last year and never got any feedback.  Bust.
I'm surprised Steve can't order any of that for you.  They've got everything else.

14

Kegging and Bottling / Storing keg-bottled beers

« on: April 19, 2012, 01:14:45 pm »

When bottling force-carbed beer from a keg, should I expect problems cellaring any beers?

I don't have a way to keep a "library" of beers chilled.  My keg fridge is @ 32° and doesn't have room for a lot of bottles.  My basement temp varies from season to season; from about 55° in the winter to 72° in the summer.

My concern is the temperature change affecting the beer.  Any thoughts?

15

Kegging and Bottling / Re: keep cool for carbonation?

« on: January 31, 2012, 02:17:25 pm »

thanks, guys!   for the help and for making this the most helpful homebrew forum on the net.