Messages

16

All Grain Brewing / Re: Oyster stout

« on: February 03, 2013, 12:45:54 PM »

If anyone is ever in England around this time of year, it is oyster stout season and Adnams does a great oyster stout. Not too many breweries do a real oyster stout but Adnams pulls it off. BTW, I hate oysters in any other fashion.

17

Ingredients / Re: Prefered base malt for brewing?

« on: January 23, 2013, 10:35:43 AM »

None from the list. Simpsons Maris Otter is what I can easily get over here in the UK.

18

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Looking for a Good Online Supply Store

« on: January 21, 2013, 08:41:55 AM »

I am partial to http://midwestsupplies.com

+1 Midwest supplies, they are the biggest one that ships APO if there is something I need.

19

Equipment and Software / Re: What 10 gal fermenter?

« on: January 20, 2013, 05:42:15 AM »

I am in the same dilemma and want to step up and buy a 14 gallon conical but not ready to spend the money. For now, I like the idea of split batches so that I can use two different yeasts or tinker with one of the batches (dry hop, secondary experiments). With the carboys, I am able to practice better temperature control (water bath) as I do not have a dedicated space or capability to control the temp in a conical just yet.

20

All Grain Brewing / Re: First all-grain, help me make a SMaSH APA recipe?

« on: January 17, 2013, 01:29:53 PM »

Why kill yourself over a SMaSH (just did one last month) and not do something you may like? I found the SMaSH as a good barometer of getting your system/process right but I have more fun doing beers I actually like.

21

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: What were your gateway beers?

« on: January 12, 2013, 02:32:03 AM »

It was Shiner Bock for me with a healthy backing of Newcastle on draft when I moved to Texas in '99.

22

The Pub / Re: Why does Budweiser just not get it?

« on: January 11, 2013, 09:39:12 AM »

As long as 90% of the market (customers) keep drinking it, they really don't need to understand (I believe they do understand it) the craft scene, they only need to market their scene to their regular customers which is why things like shocktop and the project 12 are around.

23

All Grain Brewing / Re: Pale barley brand and price

« on: January 04, 2013, 04:20:46 AM »

I am stationed over here in England and have been buying 25kg sacks of Simpsons MO for a while now and it has been the best base malt I have used. From experience and friends/connections who are commercial brewers over here, Muntons is difficult to get a consistent/good product out of if you are a second tier sized brewery so I assume the homebrew product is not much different. Crisp and Simpsons on the other hand supply many of the smaller breweries and go out of their way to provide a great product.

I pay around 32 pounds for a 25kg bag of MO.

Also, with Simpsons, I have not had any clarity issues and stopped using finings last summer and now I get clear beer through time and temperature and getting my process down.

Tim

24

Beer Recipes / Re: What to brew next

« on: December 29, 2012, 03:52:58 AM »

As Good as the Black Kiwi sounds, use your basement while the temperature is where you want it. Dusseldorf for me.

25

The Pub / Re: Your favorite Christmas beers?

« on: December 23, 2012, 03:53:12 AM »

Shared a bottle of La Rulles, Cuvee Meilleurs Voeux a couple of weeks ago with a friend.  I was not sure what to expect but it was really nice. Belgium dark ale but it was fairly refreshing and lighter than expected.

26

Commercial Beer Reviews / Re: Tank #7

« on: December 22, 2012, 03:20:52 PM »

A friend of mine was working the Great British Beer Fest this year and Boulevard was on the American Bar which had me longing for something homegrown. They had #7 in 330ml bottles and I asked if he would grab some and bring it up to our neck of the woods.  It is easily my favorite American beer.  When I was back at my parents house this past October, it is hands down, my favorite beer. It just does everything right.

27

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: yeast starter

« on: December 11, 2012, 10:44:44 AM »

If you are using liquid yeast, I would give it a few more days to build up a better yeast count.

28

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: Pumpkin beer and Belgium yeast

« on: November 13, 2012, 10:19:12 PM »

Last night I found out that T58 yeast works awesome in a pumpkin beer. The spicy taste did good things towards the characteristics of the beer.

29

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Using Irish Moss

« on: November 10, 2012, 05:39:35 AM »

Yes it is worth using it and no it does not affect the flavor.

30

Beer Recipes / Re: American Saison

« on: November 08, 2012, 01:45:05 PM »

My experience with pilsner has been DMS.  Of the three batches I have done, 2 were off and the one I got right was boiled for 90 minutes.  I have 10 pounds that I need to use but want to get it right as I hate wasting time and money.