Messages

241

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Dealing with trub

« on: July 03, 2012, 06:41:39 PM »

I use hop bags in the boil coup,ec with a false bottom in my boil kettle then I strain through a double mesh strainer going into the fermenter.  It isn't perfect, but it works pretty good.

242

General Homebrew Discussion / Went to Canada on vacation

« on: July 03, 2012, 06:07:50 PM »

So, can you bring home brew into Canada?  What about shipping some up there to share with others while up there?  It was a long week without my beer - I brought a case of Warsteiner to have some beer thre.

243

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: What's Brewing This Weekend - 6/15 Edition

« on: June 17, 2012, 06:22:10 PM »

Made a blonde for a late summer ale.

244

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Raisin Flavors

« on: June 17, 2012, 05:54:35 PM »

I used a pound of Special B in my Spruce tips beer and it was universally well-liked.  I don't do competitions, so I don't have BJCP comments, but it gave a nice raisiny flavor to complement the Spruce.  I was pleasantly surprised.

245

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: St. Loius: Home brew illegal at festival

« on: June 17, 2012, 05:44:10 PM »

Make it simple.  Any homebrewers ( those who produce less than 200 gallons per year) should be free to allow their beer to be dispensed at any event in whatever manner they choose, as long as the consumers are of legal age for the jurisdiction.  The rest is plain BS.

246

All Grain Brewing / Re: I nominate this for Stuck Mash of the Decade

« on: June 10, 2012, 04:56:18 AM »

yep been there. Stuck my arm in a trash bag reached into the 170F mash and re-attached the fricken thing. a Brewers gotta do what a brewers gotta do!

At least it was a Wit and cloudy is a good thing!

Did the same thing with Blichmann gloves - hand tightened the compression fitting and thought I had cooked my arm!  Live and learn - I check the false bottom connection every time now and stir more carefully....

247

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: What's Brewing This Weekend - 6/1 Edition

« on: June 03, 2012, 11:00:48 AM »

A summer pilsner, but racked to keg both a spruce beer and an Irish Blonde Ale

248

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: yeast bummer

« on: May 30, 2012, 07:42:37 PM »

I just store in ziplock bags.  Use it within a month and you will have no problems pitching directly.  Longer than that and a starter is necessary.  After 3-4 months consider tossing it (you really should brew frequently enough to use it up in that time or just get new yeast).

249

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: Pitching dry yeast without rehydrating

« on: May 25, 2012, 01:35:38 PM »

Of course repitching from dry yeast cakes is another matter...

250

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: What's Brewing This Weekend - 5/25 Edition

« on: May 25, 2012, 01:23:19 PM »

Strictly a consumption based weekend here - I'm taking my son and his college buddy up to Northern WI for the weekend to fish.  It looks like rain, so I hope I have enough homebrew to take with me!  May have to pull a few more growlers....

Have a good one, brewers.

251

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: Mixing Lager Yeasts - Pros and Cons

« on: May 18, 2012, 01:00:16 PM »

FWIW, I like both of those strains, especially 838 in an Oktoberfest Marzen.  I have no idea on whether they will "mate" as you proceed with generations going forward, but I would make a few batches to see!  Sounds like an experiment to me... I wish you good luck.

Cheers to trying something.

252

The Pub / Re: Police in Chicago bust NATO protestors homebrewing

« on: May 18, 2012, 09:52:39 AM »

Being in the Chicago area, a friend called me this morning to alert me to the story and to caution that I may be next!  Thankfully, I am out of town Saturday, but I am brewing Sunday regardless! 

I am reminded of the quote from the late Mayor Richard J. Daley, who said during the 1968 riots at the Democratic National Convention: "the police aren't there to create disorder, they are there to maintain it."

 

253

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: What's Brewing This Weekend - 5/18 Edition

« on: May 17, 2012, 06:07:49 PM »

Bottling off the keg for my daughter's graduation from college - a brown and a pale ale; brewing Helles on Sunday with WLP 860 harvested from a current batch - it might be my house lager yeast for the year!

254

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: DR on a vienna

« on: May 07, 2012, 06:05:26 PM »

It appears that you have done a few lagers, so assuming those turned out fine, I would follow your plan, but I tend to primary for a month and then keg without any D-rest.

 

255

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Enjoying a Cigar on Brew Day

« on: May 04, 2012, 10:43:02 AM »

I had to give up the stogies a few years back, but I like it when the other guys fire em up.  Brings back memories of great cigars gone by...what is your favorite brew to drink with a cigar?