Messages

16

Equipment and Software / Re: Primary without an airlock

« on: April 23, 2013, 01:09:29 pm »

swapping out ice bottles is really not that bad.  seems like you're making a bigger deal out of it than necessary.

I use the ice bottle method as well and its really easy. I have 1 gal milk jugs, 1/2 gal milk jugs and 12oz bottles that I keep frozen at all times in the freezer in my garage. Depending on how much temp I need to drop over a specific amount of time determines which size bottles I use. I also tend to use the smaller bottles during the day to hold temps and the larger for overnight since they obviously take longer to thaw. After a few days you get really good at choosing which ones are appropriate.

If you do use this method one thing I would suggest is also using a beach towel or something similar at the bottom of your chamber to soak up the moisture from the thawing bottles. I have never had a problem with mold this way and when you feel the towel is alittle too damp, swap it out with a fresh dry one.

17

Equipment and Software / Re: Primary without an airlock

« on: April 23, 2013, 01:00:37 pm »

Is it ok to not use an airlock or blow off tube for my primary? The reason I'm asking is because I may be using a swamp cooler (Igloo 70 quart) that fits a 6.5 gallon carboy with only mm to spare at the top with the lid on.
My other option is to use the ole' rubbermaid bucket. Thoughts? Thank you all.

You could always use something like this Vented Silicon Stopper. I use these on my fermentation buckets because they won't fit into my fermentation chamber with a regular airlock installed.

18

Going Pro / Re: Starting a brewery

« on: April 08, 2013, 10:49:01 am »

There's a local brewpub here that has a 15bbl system and they contract out the brewing to a single guy who comes in on a saturday and brews 2-3 batches a week. He has one assistant that basically just cleans up and carries grain, etc.

They usually have 3 main beers and 2-3 seasonals on tap. I don't remember how many fermenters/brights they have but i could check the next time i go in.

19

The Pub / Re: I'm honored

« on: April 05, 2013, 08:00:12 pm »

very cool!

20

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: How to tell a craft brewer his beer is seriously flawed

« on: April 02, 2013, 02:05:46 pm »

This only leads me to believe that there will be some breweries in it to make money as their first priority, which is good and bad. I think this is a business where quality comes first then the money will follow. Maybe I'm wrong, but I believe in quality over quantity.

I've always loved this quote, I try to remember it whenever I have a business decision to make and will be using it as our motto if I ever open a brewery:

“Virtue does not come from wealth, but...wealth, and every other good thing which men have...comes from virtue.”
-Socrates

21

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Favorite beer you've ever brewed?

« on: March 25, 2013, 11:11:45 am »

I think my first all-grain batch was my favorite, a wedding beer for my best friends. I was paranoid, anxious and scared. I measured and re-measured all of the ingredients, studied and re-studied the recipe and formulas from Denny's site and in the end it all went perfectly and the beer turned out fantastic.

22

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: No brained brewing rules

« on: March 25, 2013, 09:39:59 am »

screw the rules, you don't control me!

23

The Pub / Re: Any Lord of the Rings fans here?

« on: March 22, 2013, 05:48:22 pm »

I thoroughly enjoyed it and so did my wife and son. If you liked the LOTR trilogy movies you'll like this too.

There are 2 more movies in the works, the 2nd part of the hobbit and the 3rd part which is meant to bridge the gap from the end of the hobbit to the beginning of the LOTR so you can watch them as a single 6-part movie once they are done. The 3rd movie will be based on notes and info from the appendices of the LOTR.

24

Extract/Partial Mash Brewing / Re: "Twanginess" aftertaste to my Pale Ale

« on: March 22, 2013, 05:37:20 pm »

You could also make a cheap fermentation chamber. I got the idea from Euge and its worked out perfectly for me, even in the summer.

Here's the Thread

25

General Homebrew Discussion / Stone Brewing, Wil Wheaton and Drew Curtis of Fark?

« on: March 21, 2013, 09:25:10 am »

Sounds like a really awesome collab to me!

Stone’s Next Two Collaboration Beers

26

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Boil Question

« on: March 20, 2013, 01:51:51 pm »

If you see picts of the Bayou vs Blichmann, the burners are identical, its the shroud surrounding them that's different. The Bayou just sits on the ground and is made from cast iron and the Blichmann can sit either on the ground, connected to their top-tier system or have legs installed. You're only paying more for the shroud and its options.

Bayou:


Blichmann:


Just the burner:

27

All Grain Brewing / Re: Mash-in

« on: March 20, 2013, 01:41:51 pm »

Since I brew outside I always add the water to the mashtun (coleman xtreme cooler) first to get it up to temp, then add grain, check temps and top off with whatever temp water is needed to get to mash temp. I usually never have to touch it after that until sparge/mash-out.

The first time I used the cooler I added the grain first then the water and had to keep adding hot water to get it to temp. The temp also cooled faster and required adjustment the whole time.

28

Commercial Beer Reviews / Re: Full Sail Session Lager

« on: March 19, 2013, 05:24:41 pm »

yeah these were pry-off also, I double-checked before I bought them.

29

Commercial Beer Reviews / Full Sail Session Lager

« on: March 17, 2013, 12:41:45 pm »

It says its a Premium Lager but it tastes more like a Cream Ale to me. Light golden straw color, light body, bright white foamy head, very mild hop aroma and flavor with a pretty dry finish.

Would probably be good ice cold on a hot summer day after mowing the lawn or lounging at the beach.

The real reason I bought it was for the stubby bottles that have labels you can remove unlike Red Stripe that paints them on instead.

30

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Whatcha all drinkin on St Pat's day?

« on: March 17, 2013, 09:08:53 am »

Founder's Dry-hopped Pale Ale atm but I'm sure others will follow over the course of the day!