Messages

1

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Ideal bottle conditioning temp

« on: Today at 08:40:41 am »

The warmer the "room temp" is, the faster they will carbonate. I store mine in the storage room that houses my furnace. It stays at 70* pretty much year round. I find most of my beers are carbed in 1-2 weeks. I usually start drinking them before the two week mark, and they are well carbed.

2

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: First beer taste

« on: May 18, 2013, 10:48:00 am »

Carbonation will help to bring out flavors and aromas that aren't detectable beforehand. Being chilled also lends a slight difference to the flavor. Wait until it is ready to render a final decision...

3

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: When did you switch to all grain?

« on: May 15, 2013, 04:46:37 pm »

It only took me 6 batches to make the switch. Been doing AG ever since, but I have given some thought to doing another extract batch again. And now that I have a lot more knowledge and experience, it would be interesting to see how the same type of beer would fare against an extract one.

4

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Bottling prep

« on: May 12, 2013, 10:30:47 pm »

Rinsing the bottles out as you go is key. Makes cleaning much easier.

Once my bottles are clean, I throw them into the oven at 250* for an hour. You can do this the night before, so they are all cooled. I do it in the morning, and while they are in the oven, I boil my priming sugar, and cool it, rack the beer into the bottling bucket, and whatever various things I need to do. Once the hour is up, I open the oven door up, and they cool quickly. Less than a half an hour. By the time they are cool, I am ready to go. In 2 1/2 years, never had an issue with infections.

5

The Pub / Re: Do you hate to be corrected?

« on: May 12, 2013, 08:22:19 am »

I have been corrected on a few things on facebook, and while it stings the ego a bit, I'd prefer to be pointed out than put forward something that is untrue.

6

The Pub / Re: It's stupid, but I want one....

« on: May 11, 2013, 12:00:22 pm »

Is that Ellen DeGeneres?

I was thinking Martha Stewart...

7

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Beer, aliens, zombies

« on: May 11, 2013, 07:06:36 am »

Looks just like Sean of the Dead, which was the best Zombie movie ever.

+100

8

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: i'm brewing a beer for a movie

« on: May 08, 2013, 05:59:53 am »

That is pretty cool!

9

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: Yeast Storage

« on: May 07, 2013, 07:52:42 pm »

I bought a 12 pack 8 oz canning jars at my local supermarket for less than $8.  They work great.

10

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Thank you everyone!

« on: May 06, 2013, 05:22:24 pm »

Congratulations! Pics looked good!
As far as the time to set up and clean, etc, the more brews you do, the better your process will get. You will develop a good system for doing this.. When I first jumped into all grain, it took me 8 hours from start to finish. Now, I average 5 hours.
Don't hesitate to ask any and all questions you have. This forum is fantastic.

11

The Pub / Re: You know you're a homebrewer if............

« on: May 06, 2013, 06:14:07 am »

I was dropping my son off at a friends, went in to meet the parents, and saw some brewing equipment in the garage. I asked the guy about it, and my son turns to his friend with a huge sigh and says "Let's go. They will be talking beer for hours."

12

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Happy Big Brew Day!

« on: May 04, 2013, 06:36:43 am »

Happy Big Brew Day! I am headed to a local brewery where my brew club is doing our big brew session. We have at least 20 members brewing, with lots more coming by to hang out.

13

Equipment and Software / Re: Cleaning of equipment

« on: May 03, 2013, 03:58:12 pm »

Of course it isn't free... You have to buy it .
Seriously, your lhbs should have PBW or B-Brite available, which is a similar type product, but geared towards brewing equipment. I use dish detergent on most of my equipment, with no ill effects. Just be very thorough when rinsing. But for beerstone and hard to scrub areas, nothing beats the PBW.

14

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Finding the right place....

« on: April 30, 2013, 07:19:40 pm »

I think 70* is optimal for a quick carbonation, but 60* should be fine, especially if you let it sit for 30 days.

15

Ingredients / Re: Clarity and pineapple question

« on: April 30, 2013, 06:29:07 am »

I might have to do some experimentation with both... But I think I'm more comfortable adding papaya to beer over tenderizer.