Messages

1231

Equipment and Software / Re: Auto siphon cracking

« on: November 17, 2010, 03:14:14 PM »

I know most people are going to freak when they know what method I use for starting a siphon, but it works.  I use a stainless steel racking cane, clip for the neck of the carboy, and suck on the hose to start the siphon.  Let it drain, initially, into a bucket, close off the clip on the tubing.  Then let the end of the tubing sit in sanitizer for a couple minutes.  Then when I'm ready to rack into the keg or secondary, just unclip and go.  I'm surprised not more people use this method.

It's rare, but when the wort doesn't flow from my kettle through the CFC (full of sanitizer) I suck start it and stick it in some sanitizer for a few seconds while the sanitizer empties from the CFC. But I don't put my mouth directly on the hose, I dip my hand in starsan, wrap my hand around the hose tightly, and put my mouth on my hand.  It works fine, as long as you don't need to much suction to get it going.

I think people are more paranoid than they need to be.  I don't think sucking on the hose is a problem, then dipping the end in sanitizer for a bit.  It's not like you're blowing bacteria back up into the tube and into the beer. 

1232

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Converted mini-fridge kegerator into fermentation chamber!

« on: November 17, 2010, 03:10:09 PM »

Hey, this is a great idea.  I maybe switch to a chest freezer for kegging eventually so this gives me inspiration to use my old keg fridge for fermentation.  I could finally do lagers!  Brilliant!

1233

Equipment and Software / Re: Auto siphon cracking

« on: November 17, 2010, 09:14:14 AM »

I know most people are going to freak when they know what method I use for starting a siphon, but it works.  I use a stainless steel racking cane, clip for the neck of the carboy, and suck on the hose to start the siphon.  Let it drain, initially, into a bucket, close off the clip on the tubing.  Then let the end of the tubing sit in sanitizer for a couple minutes.  Then when I'm ready to rack into the keg or secondary, just unclip and go.  I'm surprised not more people use this method.

1234

The Pub / Re: Favorite movies

« on: November 16, 2010, 09:03:59 AM »

Because it's a bad movie.

1235

The Pub / Re: Favorite movies

« on: November 15, 2010, 11:58:36 AM »

Blazing Saddles
Young Frankenstein
The Three Amigos
Airplane
Spaceballs
Ace Ventura movies
The God Father
The Matrix movies
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Anchorman

I like comedies, see!

1236

The Pub / Re: I must be getting old

« on: November 11, 2010, 03:14:27 PM »

Be careful what you wish for.  I've had people who wanted to learn to brew so I tech them.  I used to have my computer tech hand mill the 40 pounds of grain for the Imperial stout, then pretty much do all the crap work.  I don't encourage anyone to brew with me anymore.   I really would rather brew alone, that's my quiet time, time to reflect on everything or absolutely nothing at all if I want.

Totally.  Would rather brew alone.  Sounds like you need to improve and/or upgrade your brewhouse, Bob!

1237

Other Fermentables / Re: Heat or no heat

« on: November 10, 2010, 03:13:51 PM »

No heat for me.  I warm up the honey enough to get it all out and into the water, stir well, then shake to mix in the carboy.  My first batch I heated to 150F or so and held that for 20 minutes, but it just isn't necessary.  Honey doesn't harbor the nutrients for bacteria to survive, you pretty much have to take a dump in the honey to contaminated it.  It's sheer paranoia to boil it.

1238

All Grain Brewing / Re: Black Ale recipe

« on: November 10, 2010, 03:09:36 PM »

I never really thought about the hype that exsists over this debate but it definitely strikes a chord in the homebrewing community.

Perhaps we can all agree that its a dark beer. 

I've only been homebrewing about 8 years.  Was there copntroversy like this as other styles were introduced?

I've noticed some around other styles, and it usually comes about when a proposed name favors one region over another for a new (as opposed to historical) style of beer.  A lot of people around here call it a CDA, so I go with that.  But if you call it a Black IPA they still know what you're talking about.  Even India Black Ale is understood, but IBA is too easy to confuse with IPA or India Brown Ale.

All I care about in a style name is:  Is it easily confused with another?  Will it succinctly give me a description of the beer?

Yes, this is true.  Cascadian Dark Ale still sounds idiotic to me and with a bit of arrogance, with the claim of the Northwest originating the idea of a hoppy dark ale.  Shenanigans! 
But I'd still take CDA over Black IPA, that is even more foolish. 

1239

Ingredients / Re: Hops

« on: November 08, 2010, 01:55:39 PM »

Hopsdirect still doesn't have Chinooks pellets

The "New Crop" Chinook Pellets are up on their page today.

I still have to wait for the EKG cone hops to arrive.

!!!! You're right!  Thank you for informing me, this makes me very happy. I LOVE Chinooks!

1240

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: If any of you are worried about the usual consumption issues

« on: November 08, 2010, 01:52:42 PM »

Boo...I recently quit drinking coffee, at least regularly.  Maybe I should start drinking it again.  I never drank much, maybe 2 cups a day.

1241

All Grain Brewing / Re: Black Ale recipe

« on: November 05, 2010, 11:52:31 AM »

The OP must be frustrated with this thread.  He was asking for a black ale recipe and it turned into an India Black Ale debate.  Sorry OP!  Could  be the reason he still only has 2 posts!

1242

The Pub / Re: Bathroom Humor

« on: November 05, 2010, 10:12:06 AM »

He then proceeds to inform me that  diarrhea is hereditary.

"Really," says I.

"Yeah, it runs in your jeans!"

I LOLed.  Thank you, I needed that today.

1243

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Watch out for short-cuts!

« on: November 03, 2010, 02:52:22 PM »

I brew alone.

Reminds me of this. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysXMAOgEIq4

Haha, indeed.

1244

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Watch out for short-cuts!

« on: November 03, 2010, 11:18:26 AM »

Distractions are the bane of all Brewers.

This is why I prefer to brew ALONE.  No one home, invite no one over, ALONE.  I don't like distractions.  I've forgotten to take SG readings, forgotten to add certain things to the boil, etc. and realizing later it pisses me off so much.
I brew alone these days.

1245

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: Washing/rinsing and Re-Using Yeast

« on: November 02, 2010, 10:58:22 AM »

Anybody have any good tips on yeast washing?  Amounts of pre-boiled water to use?  Types of containers?  How much time is involved?  Are the healthy yeast suspended in solution while the junk settles or does it layer out?  Is chilling the container necessary or just room temp OK? 

Look it here: http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f163/yeast-washing-illustrated-41768/