Messages

6271

Pimp My System / Re: Design for a 500 liter system

« on: April 08, 2010, 11:04:56 AM »

Hmmm 500 liters... That's a 4 bbl output or 133 gallons. One batch and over the limit. Planning on starting up a brewpub or restaurant?

I do about 50 liters at a time as well. Makes plenty of beer. I can see doing 100 liters with a new kettle and tun upgrade...

6272

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Bottling All-grain vs Extract?

« on: April 08, 2010, 10:50:45 AM »

Well there you go!

Hopefully the sugar was well mixed in the beer before bottling. That could leave you with some duds and some heavy carbers or even some bombs.

Sounds like it'll be ok... Time to start drinking them to see... one at a time LOL.

6273

Extract/Partial Mash Brewing / Re: Dark Malt extract

« on: April 08, 2010, 10:37:33 AM »

The problem about extract: definitely is a perishable item. Let it sit around too long and you'll get the dreaded extract "twang" which to me tastes "cidery".

Using what you have as a gravity booster sounds like the right approach. Let us know if you can tell it's in there...

6274

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Cost Per Batch?

« on: April 07, 2010, 11:21:01 PM »

I used to worry about the price of grain and hops. A lot. I can tell you everything has gone up a fair amount in the past three years. Ingredients are now bought in bulk at some savings. Trips to LHBS for things,,,$$ Now I don't worry about what it costs but it's economical- maybe $0.50-0.75 a beer? Seems like it should be cheaper, but I remember when it was much less not so long ago; I could get a sack of two-row for $45 but now it's $65+ so I pay extra for the Maris Otter.

It's not a cheap hobby but there are the benefits.

6275

The Pub / Re: OK homebrewers, where should I live?

« on: April 07, 2010, 10:41:55 PM »

Ahhh. The leap off the precipice....

Don't make an arbitrary decision. Make sure it's some place you really like. Do the research. Also, will the economy support you arriving? A small community might have no work for you.

Having said that- if you can stand a little summer heat I recommend Austin. The winter's are mild and the bulk of the populace are educated, liberal and like to party. Lot's of hot chicks, live music, lakes, rivers and outdoor activities etc... Helluva place- wish I still lived there!

6276

Commercial Beer Reviews / Re: Pilsner Urquell vs Shiner 101 Czech-style Pilsner

« on: April 05, 2010, 10:45:48 PM »

There's history to Shiner and why it's a popular regional brewery. Their Czech pils could benefit from some tweaking- mainly in bitterness and being a little less dry. The malty sweet back bone was missing when compared to Pilsner Urquell.

Then they should package it in green bottles, to lend it that slight skunkiness. 

6277

Commercial Beer Reviews / Re: Xingu

« on: April 05, 2010, 10:33:18 PM »

I can get it. Is it worth buying a sixxer?

6278

Commercial Beer Reviews / Foster's Premium Ale

« on: April 05, 2010, 10:32:24 PM »

Nothing like an oil-can sized beer.

Label states "Ale with caramel color added" Mmmmm.

Easy to drink. Not too sweet ale with good bitter back bone- probably around 30...

6279

Extract/Partial Mash Brewing / Re: Full Boil

« on: April 05, 2010, 09:58:43 PM »

In Extract brewing I want to do a full boil  ...  5 gallons.  Do I have to make any adjustments to the amount of hops?  Timing with the Hops?     Thanks

Do you have a recipe calculator? There's always software like Promash or even some online calculators like tastybrew's http://tastybrew.com/calculators/recipe.html to ease your recipe scaling.

6280

The Pub / Re: RO water & waste

« on: April 05, 2010, 08:27:25 PM »

Kai, here's what I'm getting as of now:

CW, 253 ppm
SFT, 251 ppm
RO, 14 ppm

6281

All Grain Brewing / Re: How do you handle the very last of the runnings?

« on: April 05, 2010, 06:10:01 PM »

Currently a piece of wood serves to tilt my tun towards the braid. Not an agressive tilt. Besides the Coleman Extreme has less than a cup of dead-space. 

Once the wort has cleared there isn't a problem with clarity or husks all the way to the end of the lauter.

Concerning what'll continue to dribble out afterwards, bound-up and seeping from the grain bed I no longer worry about. Best to plan one's volumes of wort accordingly and compensate with the sparge or mash water.

6282

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Forgot to Sanitize my carboy!!

« on: April 05, 2010, 05:56:19 PM »

There's a good chance you'll have no problems if you cleaned it up some first. A good healthy pitch of yeast helps. Probably better if you drank up the brew fairly quickly.

If it is a strong IPA upward of greater than 6% then your chances of infection ruining the brew decreases. In my opinion.   

6283

The Pub / Re: RO water & waste

« on: April 05, 2010, 05:48:39 PM »

Oh, yeah. Never mind then. Maybe just get a big salt water aquarium? A REALLY big one?

Ahah!

Another obsession!

Actually a good idea. I've been wanting to set up a big tank for Cichlids but I'm ballsy enough for a salt-water tank. Have an expert on them at work...

6284

The Pub / Re: RO water & waste

« on: April 05, 2010, 04:36:31 PM »

Thanks Kai. I will read up on the slaked lime. 

And, my dear major- the R/O waste water is all salt-water since it's source is my softened house water. Not sure if it would make a good stout...?

6285

Ingredients / Re: Mineral Analysis Reports

« on: April 04, 2010, 01:08:18 PM »

Thanks for the link. It's a good intro for sure.