Messages

16

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Experimental Brewing Forum

« on: May 09, 2013, 10:24:55 am »

I too am unable to get a password.

17

Equipment and Software / Re: PBW

« on: May 09, 2013, 10:07:36 am »

I found out the hard way that my tap water was >140 when it melted one of my Better Bottles.  That being said, I love PBW with warm water and let soak for about 30 minutes.

18

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Give this guy some beer

« on: May 08, 2013, 12:42:19 pm »

PBR was the preferred brand of commercial brew of our club president and founder.  Sadly, he passed away several years ago.  In his honor someone brings a can of PBR to our club meetings every month.

19

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Lemonade in beer

« on: May 08, 2013, 12:39:34 pm »

This thread has me thinking of an idea I had a while back that I wanted to try. I was thinking of trying to brew a hard lemonade using DME as my sweetener. By using a yeast that doesn't attenuate very well (like a wine yeast) you could keep it from drying out completely but still be able to bottle prime. I'm curious how much lemonade character makes it into the finished beer at this ratio of lemonade to beer.

That is an interesting idea. 

I'm anxious to see how much comes through as well.  I like to do this every once in a while since I started brewing 10 gallon batches.  Keep one carboy true to the recipe and then experiment a little with the other. 

20

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Lemonade in beer

« on: May 08, 2013, 07:42:52 am »

I'll let you guys know how it turns out.  The true test will be my brew club, but I'm pretty sure they will hate it.  Probably call it a "panty dropper" beer. 

21

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: i'm brewing a beer for a movie

« on: May 08, 2013, 07:39:02 am »

Cool!  I would probably crack under the pressure and the beer would be infected!

22

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: When to start checking OG

« on: May 08, 2013, 07:36:26 am »

Currently fermenting an American Wheat ale (extract) only using primary. 1) When should I start to check OG?
2) OK to use auto syphon to get the beer out to check (turkey baster won't fit into the carboy)?
3) OK to drink my sample?
4) once it has hit the target OG is there any point in keeping in the fermentor any longer?

Just to be clear, if it is in the fermentor you will be checking for FG (final gravity)  OG is measured when it goes into the fermentor (Original Gravity) and is the starting point.  FG is the ending point.

2.)  Yes, just make sure it is sterilized.
3.)  Absolutely!
4.)  Yes, but depends on yeast strain.  Once FG is reached the yeast can still clean up some off flavors, that is where the tasting comes in. 

23

Equipment and Software / Re: March Pump orientation/mounting tutorial

« on: May 07, 2013, 08:58:10 pm »

Another thank you and I can't believe I've been doing it wrong, why didn't I see my mistake?!?!

24

Homebrew Clubs / Re: Do other clubs have this problem?

« on: May 07, 2013, 11:58:20 am »

Our brew club is turning 21 this year and we are planning a big party!  I joined the first year but wasn't an original member and we have ebbed and flowed over the years.  When we started there were 9 of us and there are still 5 of those originals around. 

We have seen a huge increase in interest in the last 3 years, I'm sure related to the explosion of the craft beer scene, and will now have 50 to 60 attend a meeting.  We have kept our dues low as well ($25) and we have tried to encourage new membership as much as we can.  A bunch of us donated old equipment to the club that the club loans out so someone who is wanting to try and brew can without the equipment expense. 

We did go through a period where the membership waned but it just took getting some new people in to generate more interest.

25

Beer Recipes / Re: Hoppy red ale

« on: May 07, 2013, 07:13:44 am »

So, where are the hops?  JK, but I would use Centennial or Cascade for the FWH myself and maybe bump up you 5 minute to 2 oz. and remove the 30 min.  I have found that 30 min additions don't really do much for hoppiness.

Thanks, the FWH was supposed to be cascade, I guess I got my eyes crossed while typing it in. 

What do you think about upping the FWH to 2 oz. and dropping the 30 minute?

26

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: A simple way to organize boil additions

« on: May 06, 2013, 07:15:42 pm »

My LHBS sells their hops in clear canisters with white lids and that is what I use to do the same thing.  I have lids with FWH to 0 increments and measure out the hops and put them in.

27

Beer Recipes / Hoppy red ale

« on: May 06, 2013, 06:53:31 pm »

Here is a recipe I am thinking of trying for a hoppy red ale.  Any suggestions, input?

Recipe is for ten gallons

14 lbs 2 row
5 lbs munich
1.5 lbs wheat
2  lbs cyrstal 20
1  lb crystal 120
6 oz. roasted barley during vorlauf

1 oz. chinook FWH
1.5 oz chinook 60 min
1 oz. cascade 30
1 oz. cascade 10
1 oz. cascade 5
2 oz. Centennial dry hop secondary 7 days

Safale 05 yeast

mashed at 152

OG 1.066
IBU ~62

28

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Lemonade in beer

« on: May 06, 2013, 01:24:02 pm »

If you want full on radler experience you'll want to stop the fermentation after primary. You could use potassium sorbate and transfer the beer to secondary. Wait a few days at chilly temps and then add your lemonage.

Thanks Drew!  I will try that.  I wasn't sure about the added sugar in the lemonade and how that would effect the final product.

29

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Lemonade in beer

« on: May 06, 2013, 12:31:22 pm »

If you've ever had Radlers in the beer tents around Munich... they're really good!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radler
I use some carbonated lemonade w/ any suitable lager or ale.

Yeah a Radler is kinda what I was going for but not sure how it will turn out.  I may need to play with the ratios. 

30

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Drinking while brewing

« on: May 06, 2013, 12:21:58 pm »

I will make myself a "hot scotchy" with the first runnings but I generally refrain from imbibing until clean up.