Messages

286

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: lagers; to rack or not to rack?

« on: March 22, 2012, 05:57:44 PM »

I rarely do the d-rest anymore, but I would rack it at this point (I typically ferment a month and then rack).  Then get it cold for a month or more, if you can stand the wait.  I put about 10 psi on it to make sure no 02 is in the headspace, but don't keep it on the CO2 unless I have room in the fridge....

287

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: A simple, Kosher alternative to gelatin

« on: March 22, 2012, 05:50:17 PM »

Looks like a crazy dosing range.  I guess you go with the low end and hope for the best.

288

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: A new trend...?

« on: March 22, 2012, 05:35:10 PM »

I favor canned beer for most of the reasons stated above.  I typically pour it into a glass to drink, but don't feel absolutely compelled to do so.  Plus cans are lighter when I take out the recycling bin.

289

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: st patrick's day

« on: March 17, 2012, 06:49:20 AM »

A very talented biologist, indeed.  He also did this one, which my daughter sent to my wife on Mothers Day last year:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=osWuWjbeO-Y

290

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Is homebrew craft beer?

« on: March 17, 2012, 06:28:26 AM »

Semantics can become troublesome -- According to CP, I guess when I brew most of my beers, I am a craft brewer, but when I make a premium lager, I no longer am a craft brewer, because of the style?

291

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Just tasted my very first brew. Could use some thoughts.

« on: March 16, 2012, 01:21:57 PM »

I don't want you to feel pressured, but look into a wort chiller.  Getting your wort down to a pitchable temperature as quickly as possible is something that will improve your beer greatly - late hop additions that aren't cooled quickly have all that much more time to become bittering additions.

Good Luck and welcome to the hobby/obsession/lifestyle - I have found no other pursuit to be so collegial and fun work to do.


Cheers! (Slainte this weekend)

292

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Diacetyl maybe ?

« on: March 16, 2012, 01:10:14 PM »

If it is at a level not discernible by taste, why worry about it?  And I don't judge beer, but I think anything liquid has some slickness to it.  Compared to a corn muffin, for example.

293

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Ferm Temp

« on: March 15, 2012, 06:17:15 PM »

I would bring the temperature down a few degrees slowly by putting the fermenter in a water bath and draping it with a towel.  Don't go too cold or you might shock the yeast.  If you can start out at 68F that would be good and then drop it a couple degrees more by applying a little ice to get it to that point.  Good luck.

294

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: What is your perfect spring beer?

« on: March 13, 2012, 03:01:41 PM »

I like the spruce tips idea.  CP has a spruce beer recipe, if I recall correctly.

295

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Got the cops called on me!

« on: March 13, 2012, 01:46:19 PM »

For what it is worth, the boiling on the deck could be a potential nuisance or perceived possibility for other crimes, which if done in plain view might give rise to probable cause for entry/ then plain sight doctrine thereafter; so immediately forcing their way into the unit is not entirely outside the realm of legality for the officers.

I say kill the neighbor with kindness (offer him or her the beer when it is ready) and let the cops in - a search warrant (if required to be obtained due to non-cooperation) can be executed with a fairly quick knock followed shortly by a battering ram.

I'm just sayin....I like Tom's approach.

296

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: how much S 05

« on: March 07, 2012, 12:33:54 PM »

The thought that prevails is that you shouldn't reuse yeast from a high gravity brew without making a starter with it.  Reusing it in another high gravity beer would not solve the "stressed" issue.  In my reality I go with a smaller beer after a bigger beer all the time, but I will pitch more from the slurry to cover the concern.  The key for me is to just limit the generations of reuse to around 5.  I am not anal enough in my methods  to feel comfortable beyond that, though others do it routinely.

297

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: how much S 05

« on: March 05, 2012, 06:46:56 PM »

Ah, but the question remains - did you rehydrate?

298

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Golden Bock?

« on: February 25, 2012, 07:51:25 PM »

I did not try the Glassade, but I made a big Maibock (10 gallons) using 25 pounds of pilsner malt, 1.5 lbs of Munich, 1 pound of Carahelles, and 1 pound of Carafoam; Hallertau hops (3 oz at 60 min, 1 oz at 20 min, and 1 oz at knockout).  Pitched a full 5 gallon batch's cake of WLP 800.

I haven't tried it yet - it has a couple months to go.

Cheers.

299

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Wanting Malty Ale With Lighter Body

« on: February 19, 2012, 07:33:48 AM »

What Keith said, plus mash around 147-149F.

300

The Pub / Re: Happy 60th Birthday Denny!

« on: February 17, 2012, 12:01:24 PM »

Belated birthday wishes to you Denny!  You've got me by about 7 years on the calendar, but decades ahead on the brewer scale - thanks for all the great advice over the last few years!  I really enjoyed the Conn/Palmer/Strong podcast a little while back!  When are you appearing next?