Messages

1

The Pub / Re: West Sixth vs Magic Hat

« on: May 22, 2013, 05:36:04 am »

the eight-pointed star right near the middle of the logo is what made me do a double-take.  Get rid of that, and I think it's plenty different.

but that, just, like, my opinion, man.

2

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: timing a lager D-rest

« on: May 17, 2013, 07:27:33 am »

with "normal" size lagers it is always somewhere in the day 5-7 range for me.  6 being the most common.  I understand not wanting to open it to take a reading, but there is something to be said for understanding your whole process.  I rarely check gravity anymore, because I used to, and now know "when I see this, I raise the temp"

...I suspect it is ready for the d-rest, ignoring whether it even needs one.

good luck--
--Michael

3

Beer Recipes / Re: Second try at lagers tomorrow

« on: May 14, 2013, 12:13:43 pm »

wow, 1.004 with a lb of dextrin malt?!  Sounds more like dextrose malt. 

4

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: My first experience competing in the National Homebrew competition.

« on: May 13, 2013, 04:27:03 pm »

So which one of you jokers got access to my PII data and subscribed my phone to Cat Facts?!?

5

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Goose Island beer

« on: May 13, 2013, 05:25:51 am »

I often find old Honkers sitting around shelves.  Got fooled by a date not long ago, not noticing the 13 was actually a 12.     When fresh, it is still fantastic.

6

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: AHA Action Alerts and other Government Affairs info

« on: May 10, 2013, 09:53:08 am »

thanks for keeping us up-to-date Gary.

Illinois looks to be in pretty good shape.  Passed House 118-0, and passed second reading in Senate; just needs to be voted on in Senate.  Hopefully the homebrewing community will receive more good news soon.

7

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: AHA Action Alerts and other Government Affairs info

« on: May 10, 2013, 09:18:55 am »

Does anybody know what is going on with the Kansas home brew bill?

Per Steve Cook, nothing is going to happen this year, at least in terms of a law...

bummer, but happy for Alabama and Mississippi at least. 
As of July 1, will there be any other states where competitions are illegal?  Hmm.

8

Zymurgy / Re: Zymurgy Article Index

« on: May 09, 2013, 06:50:36 am »

the Article Index is handy.  Many thanks to the AHA for this, and ezymurgy.

I don't suppose anyone has the 1997 issues gathering dust somewhere on their shelves?

Basically I'm looking for anything on the NHC from that year.  My club, FKA the Derby Brew Club, was Club of the Year.  Looks like 1997 was the last year before it went to 6 issues per year.  Can't find anything on NHC in the article index.  Hoping it got some coverage in the fall issue and someone can tell me who from DBC won medals, and in what categories.

just thought I'd take a stab to see if anyone's got that year.  No biggie.

cheers--
--Michael

9

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Almost there - AL senate gives passage to homebrew bill

« on: May 08, 2013, 10:03:35 am »

I like the whole "chance to beat Mississippi" angle.   Could be a major selling point. 


"Holtzclaw says Alabama has an opportunity to beat Mississippi since the Mississippi bill has a 90-day wait period to become effective and the Alabama bill would go into effect immediately with the governor's signature. "

10

Equipment and Software / Re: Monitoring Keg Levels

« on: May 06, 2013, 10:18:38 am »

This works for me as well.  Although I don't like to move kegs around once they are pouring clear.

Agreed.  Although I feel like I can control my 2.5 and 3g kegs well enough to move gently and stir up very little.  I only have a few 5's and lifting them in and out of the chest freezer aint so much fun.  I don't think I would do so just to figure out a fill level.

11

Equipment and Software / Re: Monitoring Keg Levels

« on: May 06, 2013, 10:02:20 am »

"How does everyone keep track of or know the level of beer in ones kegs? Or does anyone even do that?"

When the beer turns absolutely crystal clear and tastes better than it ever has, then its about one or two pints away from blowing.

THIS. so many times...

Personally if I was going to pull a keg out of the fridge to weigh it I'd instead just leave it on the basement floor for several minutes, after which the condensation line will tell me where the level is.

12

Homebrew Competitions / Re: AHA Announces Discontinuation of Club-Only Competition Program

« on: May 02, 2013, 02:04:52 pm »

Hmm...

truth be told, I joined a club for access to Club-Only competitions.  "I don't care to belong to a club that would accept people like me as members" is more to my usual feeling.

having said that, I'd be interested in competing in what you propose, and would even push the local club to host one, once, you know, the state of Kansas makes them legal again.   

cheers--
--Michael

13

Homebrew Competitions / Re: NHC regional experiences

« on: May 01, 2013, 11:22:17 am »

I went and logged in. I have no scores against my entries. Is anyone else seeing the same, or did my beers not make it to the shipping destination.

my scores show up...

14

Ingredients / Re: Dry hop a lager?

« on: May 01, 2013, 05:38:09 am »

I have a friend that made a Nelson Sauvin Pilsner. Holy hell it was amazing! Really hop forward.

When someone gives ya 5 lbs of Nelson Sauvin ya find a lot of places to use it    (although she hasn't shared any with me!) 

back on topic, I've dry-hopped lagers before, absolutely.  Post lagering, some additional Mittelfrue in the keg of German Pils - awesome.

15

Homebrew Competitions / Re: NHC regional experiences

« on: April 30, 2013, 09:44:36 am »

Did it say "3rd" on the summary sheet for your entries, or just in the box on the cover sheet for that beer?

Also, how do you know you didn't advance?  When did they "announce" the results?

They read the regional results out loud at the conclusion of judging to the volunteers in attendance.  They are supposed to do this at each regional.  We looked at list of winners too to double-check, and my name wasn't on there.  I didn't see the Flight Summary Sheet and it wouldn't have done any good anyway, as it was just a number and not a name.  It was only a week later that I received the surprise of a Cover Sheet that said I finished 3rd.  I suspect a judge number of 5006 or other number that looked similar to my 5060 is the one that advanced.  Without the Flight Summary Sheet I cannot be sure.

Since I was there it was obvious a mistake was made, and was just a matter of determining which was correct - winner list or cover sheet.  If Desiree says I didn't advance then I trust her.  But what about the 90% of entrants who weren't in Tulsa?  Those 90% of people would have been excited to receive cover sheets that say they advanced and then pissed when finding out later that they didn't actually advance...

cheers--
--Michael