Messages

1

Pimp My System / Re: I'M CHEAP, NO PUMPS, ALL GRAVITY 15 GAL

« on: May 23, 2013, 11:37:27 AM »

I like the hopper extension on the barely crusher.     Every time I brew I wonder what a good way to extend it is.

Paul

2

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: Wyeast 1968 - Wow

« on: May 23, 2013, 11:32:58 AM »

I use 1968 in several of my recipes.  It works great, cleans itself quick and I've never had any diacetyl issues with it.

Paul

3

The Pub / Re: Frivolous Magic Hat Lawsuit

« on: May 22, 2013, 04:23:20 AM »

/sarcasm/
My first thought was they must have a patent on "rounded edges".  Then I remembered that's Apple.  So it must be that both logos use the same green color and both are at a minimum "roundish" in shape. 
/end sarcasm/

Sadly this is world we all live in.  Corporate legal department or firm on retainer means very little additional cost for the big boys to file petitions.  It wastes the courts time and eats away at the profitability of your smaller competitors.  Why innovate when you can litigate?

Just sad.

Paul

4

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Cowboy Brewers

« on: May 19, 2013, 05:47:20 AM »

The best cheese burgers are in paradise, if I recall correctly.

Paul

5

Homebrew Clubs / Re: Newbie Here

« on: May 19, 2013, 05:45:31 AM »

If you want to use the dorm fridge to control your temps most folks use something like this: http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/johnson-controls-a419-digital-temp-controller.html

I have the Ranco 111000 (digital) and may use temp controllers for Johnson Controls (often analogue).

They are snap to use if you buy them prewired.  If you are handy with a screw driver and not scarred off by electricity, they are cheaper as controller only and you wire them in yourself.

Paul

6

Homebrew Clubs / Re: Newbie Here

« on: May 17, 2013, 02:06:12 PM »

Brewers Best Kits are usually very high quality.

Don't let anyone tell you brewing beer is hard.  It is way easier than you think it is at this point.  As theDarkside said your most difficult thing will be keeping it cool while it ferments.  Do a search on swamp chillers and ice baths (using frozen soda bottles filled with water) to control your temps.

Be careful about sanitation and have fun!

Ask any questions you have here on the forum.  Everyone here is happy to teach.

Welcome to the best and most interesting hobby I have ever had.

Paul

7

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Bottles Bursting with Flavor

« on: May 17, 2013, 10:21:17 AM »

I agree with everything said so far.  I'm guessing you didn't chill the bottles before he took them.  It might have kept them from exploding if they were really cold while he transported them.  They would still be over carbed but they might not have exploded.

Paul

8

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Beers for the non-craft drinker

« on: May 17, 2013, 06:30:36 AM »

The last person who asked me for a lite beer got "Pour a half glass of something and there's a faucet over there.  Make it as lite as you have to."  They tried a Blonde at full strength and have never asked for lite beer at house again.

I've also  been know to tell people the light switch is by the door.

I make kolsch, blonde, farmhouse ales, American wheat and usually have at one on tap at anytime.  they find something they like.  Except that one guy who brings his own 12 pack of Coors Lite to every party.

Paul

9

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Most and Least

« on: May 17, 2013, 05:48:39 AM »

Of the upgrades I've made over the years:

1) My grain mill - controlling your crush really helps stabilize your numbers.
2) Kegs - They make the process so much easier over all
3) The carboy cleaner thing that attaches to my drill (can't remember the name right now).  - Saves a ton of work with a brush.

Temp control would be great but I just don't have room for another freezer right now.

Paul

10

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Cowboy Brewers

« on: May 16, 2013, 09:46:45 AM »

It worries me that he wants to shake your tree. 

Paul

11

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

« on: May 15, 2013, 12:00:58 PM »

Started in '91 and was taught by one of my cousins, who had been brewing for a while, all grain.  So I started with all grain.  Speaking of pre-internet, who remembers "The Cat's Meow"?  I still have copy on one of my brew book shelves.

Oh, yeah!  Worst recipe database ever!  Did you do rec.cafts.brewing, too?

I read a lot post on rec.crafts.  I don't think I ever posted though.

Paul

12

The Pub / Re: NTSB Recommends 0.05% BAC Limit

« on: May 15, 2013, 11:26:38 AM »

When my Dad was a kid in a small rural community one guy would drive his wagon in on Saturday night.  This wagon was pulled by a horse.  He would give the horse some hay and oats, make sure it had water and then go to one of the bars.  At the end of the night the farmers friends would dump him in the wagon and untie the horse.  The horse would go home on it's own and the guy's wife would wake him up and he would unhook the horse put it back in the barn.  The next morning they would drive the car into town for Mass.

It would be really funny to know if his horse was named Goggle.  And if the Patent Office would consider that prior art? 

Paul

13

The Pub / Re: NTSB Recommends 0.05% BAC Limit

« on: May 14, 2013, 02:25:39 PM »

I could support this if it came with other changes to the laws.

2.  Rezone to allow more bars near houses.  The closest brewery to my house is about nine miles away.  The nearest pub is over four miles.  The nearest place to buy packaged beer is the grocery store over a mile away.  If there was a bar in my neighborhood we would hang out there, now we just rotate houses between about five families.  I miss living in the city

In the PA coal region, neighborhood bars that literally double as people's homes are a common thing.  However, a friend of mine was busted for trying to walk home, which was three doors away from a bar.  An undercover liquor control guy followed him outside.

What was the charge?  Walking while intoxicated?  Public staggering/shuffling?  Excessive eye watering?

Paul

Public drunkenness.  If they want ya, they're gonna get you.  The PA Liquor Control Board (they control distribution and enforcement, that's another discussion) is famous (infamous?) for overstepping its boundaries.

Another thing to be happy I live in Iowa for.  Here you can't be arrested because they watched you have some drinks.  You actually have to do something that gives them probable cause.  Walking three houses down to go home, assuming you don't start screaming, throwing things or wondering out into the street may get you watched by an officer who happens to be around but they'll leave you alone if you make it home.  Most officers will help you get to your door if you're weaving.  It seems hard to believe that there wasn't more to the story but I don't live there so I'll take your word for it.

Paul

14

The Pub / Re: NTSB Recommends 0.05% BAC Limit

« on: May 14, 2013, 01:53:19 PM »

I could support this if it came with other changes to the laws.

2.  Rezone to allow more bars near houses.  The closest brewery to my house is about nine miles away.  The nearest pub is over four miles.  The nearest place to buy packaged beer is the grocery store over a mile away.  If there was a bar in my neighborhood we would hang out there, now we just rotate houses between about five families.  I miss living in the city

In the PA coal region, neighborhood bars that literally double as people's homes are a common thing.  However, a friend of mine was busted for trying to walk home, which was three doors away from a bar.  An undercover liquor control guy followed him outside.

What was the charge?  Walking while intoxicated?  Public staggering/shuffling?  Excessive eye watering?

Paul

15

The Pub / Re: A Free Kindle Book

« on: May 14, 2013, 06:50:06 AM »

Very true.  It is not a "how-to brew" book.  It covers a fair amount of history, current (as of 2010) world beer market stuff and anecdotes from his career as a brewer for the companies like AB.

Paul