Messages

1

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Bottling bucket spigot contamination!

« on: April 10, 2012, 11:52:40 AM »

I just pulled my spigot apart after not using it for a long time because it was dirty between the white plastic layers. It's difficult to get apart but can be done. Pop the orange part out like bo says and then use tools to pull the two pieces apart while staying away from anything internal that may scratch. I slid a small screwdriver through the part where the orange piece goes. It warped when I pulled it apart but once clean it all went back together liquid tight.

After tearing it down I think I will definitely buy a better single piece spigot. It smelled terrible and was very slimy between the layers of plastic.

2

Ingredients / Toasted buckwheat

« on: July 22, 2011, 08:13:59 AM »

Has anyone tried using toasted buckwheat (store bought) in the mash just for flavor? I am striking out finding raw buckwheat to malt or torrefied buckwheat to buy. I am not worried about GF or efficiency of the extract, I simply want the flavor.
Thanks

3

Beer Recipes / Bell's Lager Hop Profile

« on: December 20, 2009, 03:52:07 PM »

Anyone know what hops are in this beer?

4

Commercial Beer Reviews / Re: Speedway Stout?

« on: December 05, 2009, 06:07:26 AM »

Finally had this last night. It is pretty darn good... lots of depth.

5

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Life of mixed Star San? Newbie

« on: November 30, 2009, 08:09:01 AM »

I rarely test the pH of my Star San solutions. If they are still clear I trust them. Even if it gets a bit cloudy it still works. I prepare them with reverse osmosis water and think that it takes a lot of contamination to bring the pH up. Recently I started keeping the old batch of Star San around to rinse any equipment, in particular the turkey baster, before it goes into the current batch of sanitizer. This seems to keep it clear for much longer.

Kai

+1

I make a batch of Starsan every 2 or 3 months. I brew about twice a month and bottle just as often.

6

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Whatcha Brewin' this week -- 2009 Nov 25-Dec 1?

« on: November 25, 2009, 08:55:05 PM »

Making an Irish Red on Saturday. Just finished moving our club project RIS's into the Heaven Hill Bourbon cask at the LHBS. Very good times. Should end up with about 50 gallons of Bourbon Barrel Stout between 7 people. Tasted great!

7

Yeast and Fermentation / When to pitch WLP677

« on: November 24, 2009, 06:19:41 PM »

I am making the AG version of the Berliner Weisse from BCS. I am not using lactic acid or a handful of malt. I plan to pitch only WLP011 and WLP677. I have read that if you pitch the lacto first and then add the ale yeast later you get a very sour beer. Anybody have experience here? Time frames? I would like it to be soured along the lines of the 1809.

4.2 lbs Pilsner
3 lbs wheat
1 oz Hallertau @ 15 (full boil time)

Thanks!

8

Extract/Partial Mash Brewing / Re: Should I being doing a full boil?

« on: November 24, 2009, 06:06:54 PM »

Now is a great time of year to get the turkey fryer set on sale...

9

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Keg, bottle or both?

« on: November 23, 2009, 02:12:58 PM »

Wow. One of the two votes that bottle most but keg a little. I like to compete and have draft beer so I keg the beer that needs work and bottle the best.

10

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Is it necessary to rack to a secondary fermenter?

« on: November 23, 2009, 07:08:33 AM »

Some beers need to age or have additional ingredients as stated above. I feel most beers are just fine or even a little fresher with no 2nd. Clarity is usually an issue of time. Quality has too many other variables besides just time. I always make sure I am to FG before I do anything as I'm sure you know. I say give it a try and see what you think.

11

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Store San?

« on: November 21, 2009, 03:41:17 PM »

I make my starsan solution with distilled water because the local water clouds it up quickly. I have kept airlocks in the solution for a day or two but have no experience with tubing. The airlock was okay but I still felt like it wasn't a good idea? idk why really? Now though, I keep the starsan in the gallon jugs in the garage. Cold or hot they do fine and test below 3 for months. I have had my bottle of starsan for way too long. I have noticed that if I use the solution on something and then let it dry it gets a strange film on it so I always rinse everything. Tubing will dry if you swing it around to force the water out and then hang it somewhere for a day or two.

It has never eaten through the gallon jugs in the garage.

12

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Whatcha Brewin' this week -- 2009 Nov 18-24?

« on: November 21, 2009, 03:30:14 PM »

Phew! Just finished my first doppelbock. Now I am just waiting to hit pitching temps. Everything is cleaned up and I nailed my gravity. Good times.

13

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Whatcha Brewin' this week -- 2009 Nov 18-24?

« on: November 19, 2009, 01:33:10 PM »

Brewing Mr. Maltinator Doppelbock with the 833. Starter is just about ready to go.