Messages

1

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Using maple sap in beer

« on: March 29, 2013, 07:55:15 PM »

Ok, here is the scoop on a sap sample pheno alkt 0, methyl alkt 75, pH 6.6, so4 2.0, cl- 9.7, mg 18, ca 114, mg as caco3 76, ca as caco3 290, P 1.34, tot ammonia 0 and forgot to do the iron. Does the alkt of 75, tot hard of 366 at a pH of 6.6 make sense? Am wondering if there are some interferences as these seem wonky!

2

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Using maple sap in beer

« on: March 23, 2013, 06:46:35 PM »

I make 70 L batches and usually end up using 85-90L sap in the batch (entire water bill)- the end product usually ends up fairly dry but slight maple /woody flavour - quite nice when it turns out. Will pay more attention to sg, pH, alkt etc of it - am fortunate to work in water/wastewater field and have a spectophotometer at my disposal - just need some funky reagents - would be neat to see if the composition stays in proportion and could just do an indicator of say alkt - will share what I find out - if anything - really appreciate ur input

3

General Homebrew Discussion / Using maple sap in beer

« on: March 20, 2013, 07:53:45 PM »

I have made a number of batches entirely with maple sap but not really paying attention to ph alkt etc. has anyone else made beer with it and what were your additions for all grain? My other batches were amber med body with two good batches and the latest not so good. Cannot find good information on the chemical composition of it to know what it may need for a great beer. Am going to be shooting for a pils this time.

4

Equipment and Software / Re: What 10 gal fermenter?

« on: January 20, 2013, 07:02:50 AM »

Try this http://www.tank-depot.com/product.aspx?id=854 and look for "inductor" tanks - listed at $74.99 for 15 gal (mine is 15 gal but actually holds 16 gals easily)

5

Equipment and Software / Re: What 10 gal fermenter?

« on: January 20, 2013, 06:23:45 AM »

As an afterthought - homebrewing on a budget -  it takes a little work but for the sparge water and lauter tun, I went to a local plumbing shop and the gave me a 40 gal electric hot water tank and cut both the tank and insulated shell in half, used the top of the tank for lauter and the bottom for the sparge water (left the element in the bottom half) with the shell and insulation reinstalled. Just make sure the glass lining is intact inside the tank. I comfortably make 16 gal batches - for smaller batches, simply use a 20 gal heater instead.

6

Equipment and Software / Re: What 10 gal fermenter?

« on: January 20, 2013, 06:13:37 AM »

If you are not hung up on fermenting in plastic, I had purchased a 15 gal conical tank for about $70 at a farm supply store (try TSC) - think they called it an ejector tank or something like that - had to install a bulkhead 1/3 way up on tank to load kegs from and save the yeast. Had to build a stand (on wheels) -  total cost was under $100 - works great