Topics

1

All Grain Brewing / CLOUDY Weizen

« on: May 03, 2013, 08:39:51 AM »

So I brewed this hefe and fermented it with some strawberries.  I've never used this yeast strain before (Bavarian Weizen - WLP351).  I did notice in the starter that this yeast looked "clumpier" than any other I've used before.  Now obviously hefes are supposed to be cloudy, but this one came out pretty dense.  Tastes fine once the sulfur cleared out, but is this normal?

Photo might not give it justice:

2

Equipment and Software / My Keezer Build

« on: April 10, 2013, 10:13:06 AM »

Got a free chest freezer recently.  Added 11-1/4" in head space with the collar addition.  Stapled in reflective insulation throughout the collar.  Definitely planning on getting a fan installed in the base to get circulation throughout. Going to paint the collar white to match.  I plan to eventually add on some casters to the bottom so I can roll it out to my patio for summer parties (after the tap is added).  Still have a ways until finished, but the hard part is done.  Can't wait to start lagerin'!

3

Equipment and Software / Adjustable Pressure Relief Bung

« on: April 04, 2013, 03:21:45 PM »

So a few weeks back the idea of a pressurized secondary fermentation came up in another forum discussion (Here: http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/forum/index.php?topic=15090.msg191536#msg191536) and I decided to order the part and try it out.  I'll be brewing this weekend and I'll be using this bad boy during the secondary fermentation:

I'm hoping adding this will get a jump start on forced carbonation by pressurizing the CO2 let off during the secondary fermentation.  Time will tell if the pressure of ~12 psi will release out of the valve first or push the bung out of my keg first.  I'll let you know how it works!

4

Yeast and Fermentation / Imperial Side Car

« on: March 14, 2013, 10:00:38 AM »

So I brewed a Russian Imperial Stout last weekend.  Had a bit extra after the carboy was filled, so I made a little side car fermenter in a growler bottle.  As an experiment, I'd like to rack this one over before it's fully done fermenting to let the residual sugars carbonate in a swing top growler I have.  When would be the best/safest time to do this?  I'm using WLP028 Edinburgh Scottish Ale Yeast if that matters.  To be clear, I know this can be a dangerous endeavor, so I do plan on wrapping it in a bag, putting in in a box, covering it with a crate, and lowering it down a manhole (kidding), while it conditions.  It's currently been about 5 days since I brewed.  O.G. was 1.11 and the final target is 1.026.

5

General Homebrew Discussion / AHA eBooks

« on: March 11, 2013, 12:30:29 PM »

Not sure if this is the place for this post, but I'm wondering if there will ever be eBook versions of Wild Brews, For the Love of Hops, etc.  Or even Zymurgy for that matter.  I do most of my reading in bed, so I've been spoiled with the backlight of my tablet.  Haven't gotten through some of my paper books because of it. I know, I know...  First world problems. 

6

Equipment and Software / Hoses gone wild

« on: March 10, 2013, 09:17:20 PM »

Hey there,

So I have my counter pressure bottle filler hooked up to my kegerator. I put tees in the beer line and gas line to add hoses that lead to my bottle filler. Everything is currently attached by ring clamps. Problem is, now I have a tangled mess of hoses that are a pain in the bum to connect/disconnect for cleaning or just removing when not in use. I'm wondering if there's a quick solution for this. I'm thinking something like how a chuck on an air compressor works. Anyone have a solution for this mess?

Thanks!

7

Ingredients / Colorado Hop Garden Techniques

« on: January 07, 2013, 04:54:12 PM »

Hey there!

So I've recently bought a house with an acre and a half.  Previously I've rented my friends basement where I have 3.5 year old hops growing in his back yard.  This spring, I plan to do some transplanting (and plant a few additional varieties).  This previous (HOT) summer wasn't a great harvest due to the severe drought, but I did notice that the vine that caught the first shade from a nearby tree in late afternoon has always performed better.  I'm wondering what % of sunlight works best for growing hops.  Since I'm starting anew, I want to plant right from the ground up.  Any techniques/tips that can get my brew garden off on the right foot?

Thanks!

8

Yeast and Fermentation / Accidental Sour

« on: November 15, 2012, 04:07:37 PM »

So about two months ago I brewed a Belgian strawberry wheat.  I steamed the strawberries before adding them to the fermenter. 4 lbs of strawberries for the 5 gallon batch.  I wanted it to be heavy on the strawberry side.  I never noticed any pellicle during the fermentation, but it's very possible some bacteria was introduced from all those berries.  I just popped a bottle last night, at to my (good) surprise, it was pretty tart!  Now this is likely due to all the strawberries, but could possibly be from some bacteria.  I now have the dilemma of drinking them now or hiding them away for a while to see what develops.  Thoughts?

Side note: I've yet to brew a sour, but I love them and plan on diving in to brew some this winter.  Just bought "Wild Brews" but haven't started reading it yet.

9

Kegging and Bottling / Bottle Carbing - Round 2

« on: October 22, 2012, 03:21:31 PM »

Hey!  So I usually keg my beers and force carbonate.  Previously when I've bottled, I've used a counter pressure bottle filler.  I've started doing some smaller experimental batches where I bottle condition.  I've learned after this failed bottling that I should use my scale and measure the priming sugar by weight because my bottles aren't carbonated (but do have slight carbonation) after about 5-6 weeks.  I was curious if I should try to pop the bottles and add a bit of priming sugar, then rebottle.  Would this ruin it?  How much sugar should I add?

Thanks!

10

Events / 1 Sat Night GABF Ticket to trade for 1 Fri Night GABF ticket

« on: September 14, 2012, 08:27:07 AM »

...also looking to buy an additional Friday night ticket!

Thank you!

11

Beer Recipes / Raspberry Hananero Wheat

« on: August 26, 2012, 05:39:05 PM »

Just brewed a split batch this weekend.  This was of of them.  Took a pic right after I pitched, turned out pretty cool so I thought I'd share:

12

Equipment and Software / $10 Digital Scale on Amazon

« on: August 09, 2012, 06:57:24 PM »

It's hop harvest season and there's a sale on this! Thought I'd spread the word because I've been on the hunt for one lately and found this. Great deal!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008MPLXB0/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00<a href="http://" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://</a>

13

Ingredients / Sanitizing Homegrown Hops

« on: August 09, 2012, 05:39:11 PM »

Hey there!

So I'm in CO and I've just harvested my hops (Cascades). I plan to use them on my brew this Saturday where I'll be dry hopping. How should I sanitize these?  I've heard that hops are naturally bacteria free, but considering I dry them out naturally, I'm worried that dust, etc could infect. 

1. How do I sanitize hops (if needed) w/o destroying any volatile oils?
2. How worried should I be about this?

Thanks!

14

Equipment and Software / Reversed Immersion Chiller

« on: August 02, 2012, 10:35:47 AM »

Just curious if anyone else has done this.  To be honest, this piece of equipment originated by my misunderstanding of the immersion chiller.  I run the water hose in the barrel and run the hot wort through the copper.  It's extremely efficient.  During the winter, i just fill the barrel w/ water and keep it cold by shoveling snow into it.  When cleaning my keggles prior to brewing, I always hook them up to this and runoff all the cleaning fluid through the tubing.  Never had an issue w/ infection and I've been using this for years now.  It works great, but curious if anyone else does this.  I'll be upgrading to a plate chiller soon, but only because it takes up a lot less space.

15

Yeast and Fermentation / Kegerator/Lager Fermentation Chamber?

« on: July 23, 2012, 12:02:08 PM »

So, I've been wanting to do a lager for some time, but the low fermentation temp has scared me away.  I've been experimenting with my kegerator fridge's temperatures.  I dropped the fridge down to the lowest (warmest) setting, but it was still running a bit too cold.  So, I dropped my freezer down to the lowest (warmest) setting, and now my fridge is consistently around 58-59 degrees.   Is there any reason why I shouldn't try and ferment a lager (1/2 barrel keg) in my kegerator fridge?

Thanks!