Messages

1

Ingredients / Re: Hop stand bitterness

« on: June 18, 2013, 08:11:06 AM »

I am always worried about DMS with a hop stand.  Does anyone here do a 90 minute boil when planning a hop stand to eliminate more DMS? 

I have also heard of some dropping the wort temp to below 160* then letting it sit for the hop stand to prevent DMS forming.

Thoughts?

2

All Grain Brewing / Re: how much Ca is too much?

« on: June 15, 2013, 08:28:04 AM »

To all the ruffled grammar nazis:  "There, their, they're."

3

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Stir Bar Tip

« on: June 12, 2013, 10:50:16 PM »

I just use a magnet taped to a piece of paper (so I don't lose it).  Then when I go to pour the yeast, I put the magnet on the bottom of the flask to keep the stir bar in the flask and pour away.

4

Commercial Beer Reviews / Re: HooDoo Brewing

« on: June 12, 2013, 10:12:12 PM »

It has been fun.  But only two breweries and I'm here for three days.  What am I going to do tommorrow?!

find a bottle shop & look for beers from Midnight Sun. buy a bunch, then go to a restaurant that allows you to bring in beer, or order out.

By coincidence, we went to North Pole, AK.  Tonight and had dinner at a Chinese place that had been featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives; called the Pagoda.  On their beer list was Sockeye IPA, by Midnight Sun.  It was quite good!

5

All Grain Brewing / Re: Hot Side Aeration

« on: June 12, 2013, 12:09:48 PM »

What off flavors would/does it produce?

Early staling is what I read.

6

Equipment and Software / Re: Plastic carboy

« on: June 12, 2013, 09:41:09 AM »

Hmm they dont mention if the Spiedels are made out of PET plastic.  Thats a concern

They are made out of HDPE.  Don't ask me what that means though.

7

Equipment and Software / Re: Plastic carboy

« on: June 12, 2013, 09:26:07 AM »

I have only used 6 gallon better bottles since I started brewing last Fall.  Cleaning is a pain, but I love the system I have for transferring to the keg with essentially no exposure to the air, and it's fairly quiescent too.

But after reading this thread, I decided to call More Beer.  I found out that a carboy cap that fits on my existing better bottles, also fits on the Speidel.  That being the key to my transfer process, I ordered.  Sounds like the best of both worlds.

8

Commercial Beer Reviews / Re: HooDoo Brewing

« on: June 11, 2013, 09:13:30 PM »

It has been fun.  But only two breweries and I'm here for three days.  What am I going to do tommorrow?!

9

Equipment and Software / Re: Hose material

« on: June 11, 2013, 09:11:36 PM »

One problem I have with silicone tubing is its flexibility.  When hot, it may be too flexible for use as a pump

This is my biggest complaint - it can kink / contract near the barb when its on the suction side of the pump. PITA, but since I bought $40 worth of tubing, I'll use it until it needs replaced...

I have never had this problem.  I use a pump from the boil to the plate chiller too.  It is described as heavy wall tubing on the seller's website.  Maybe that is the difference?

10

Commercial Beer Reviews / HooDoo Brewing

« on: June 11, 2013, 06:42:11 PM »

So tonight I am sitting in the other Fairbanks, AK brewery.  This one is fairly new.  A 15 bbl brew house with just a tap room.  Three beers on tap: a Kolsch, an IPA, and a stout.  I tried a flight of all three.  The Kolsch was good, as was the IPA - solid, but not out of the mainstream.  The Stout was exceptional though incredible coffee, molasses, etc. 

11

Commercial Beer Reviews / Silver Gulch Brewing

« on: June 10, 2013, 07:46:56 PM »

I don't know if this should be in Beer Travel or here, but here it is.

I'm in Fairbanks, AK. for a couple of days.  Everyone recommended this brewery, so I'm sitting here enjoying an IPA and the wife is having a cranberry Saison that is excellent.  Very impressed.  Great beer, great food.

Touted as the Northern most brewery in the U.S.

12

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: What should I offer this guy?

« on: June 10, 2013, 08:32:47 AM »

If I read your basic implication correctly, I am with you in that I am always uncomfortable valuing someone else's stuff.  I always (try to) insist that the currrent owner start the negotiation by stating what he wants.  Probably doesn't help much, but that's what I think anyway.

13

Ingredients / Re: Candi sugar

« on: June 07, 2013, 03:15:12 PM »

How much sugar? If it's over a pound I like to add after fermentation slows as well as there is less chance for the  yeast to not fully attenuate. Usually for a pound or less I just add it in the boil around the half way point.

Good responses, thank you.  Yeah it will be 1.5 lbs.,  so sounds like the best option is to add it when fermentation slows.  Thanks!

14

Ingredients / Candi sugar

« on: June 07, 2013, 12:26:35 PM »

My next brew is an attempt to clone a Belgian dark strong, Goudin's Carolus.  I am wondering about the best time to add the candi sugar.  In the boil or after the fermentation starts to slow?

15

Equipment and Software / Re: Torque

« on: June 06, 2013, 11:09:41 PM »

After doing research I spent ~$100 on the motor to get this setup:


At 1/3 hp it runs at 1725 RPM, so I have a 14" sheave on it which makes the mill run at about 200 RPM, which is what my research says is in the range of what one wants.

I got mine new though these are very common motors which one can often get used.  I have heard of people scavenging them out of washing machines.  All that to say I seriously doubt that a coffee grinder will cut it.