Messages

16

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Everything in my freezer smells like hops

« on: May 29, 2013, 02:45:25 PM »

I tried to follow the advice of flushing out the vacuum tubes with air, but it didn't work.  I also think the heating strip has issues.  So I bought a better vacuum sealer that's much more quiet, too.

17

Beer Recipes / Re: kolsch grain bill

« on: May 29, 2013, 11:42:34 AM »

That grain bill is fine.
I use 75/25 Pilsner/Kolsch malt with 029.

I have never seen Kolsch malt until now. Would Vienna be a reasonable substitute especially in smaller quantities?

I use 95% Pils and 5% Vienna, hop with Hallertau for about 30 IBU.  Ferment with the Wyeast 2575 Kolsch II yeast at about 58F.  I lager for about a month.  Tastes great.

18

Beer Recipes / Re: Witbier grain bill: Unmalted wheat vs flaked wheat

« on: May 27, 2013, 12:07:07 PM »

Here's my super rad trick for using wheat berries, no cereal mash or rice hulls necessary:
http://nateobrew.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-better-way-to-brew-with-raw-wheat.html

Interesting.  I have heard of people wetting their grain before grinding.  I have a regular mill, not a Corona one, so  I might experiment with a pound or so.  I would still do a protein rest, and I'd still use rice hulls.  No offense.

19

Pimp My System / Re: I'M CHEAP, NO PUMPS, ALL GRAVITY 15 GAL

« on: May 24, 2013, 07:26:57 AM »

The stainless steel sink has me highly aroused.  Looks like something from an old photographic darkroom.

If that one gets you "aroused", you should see mine.

Tease!

20

Pimp My System / Re: I'M CHEAP, NO PUMPS, ALL GRAVITY 15 GAL

« on: May 24, 2013, 06:55:58 AM »

The stainless steel sink has me highly aroused.  Looks like something from an old photographic darkroom.

21

Beer Recipes / Re: Witbier grain bill: Unmalted wheat vs flaked wheat

« on: May 23, 2013, 06:02:51 PM »

In my opinion: flaked wheat is not a passable substitute for unmalted wheat.

Maybe its an issue with freshness in flaked wheat, or something that the process of gelatinizing raw wheat at home contributes, but I have always found beers made with raw wheat to be far superior.

A cereal mash is not terribly complicated. I think its easier than a single decoction.

Torrefied ('puffed') wheat is another option. Never tried it in a witbier, but I like it as a substitute for flaked wheat in smaller quantities (small amount for head retention, body, etc.). It has a subtle, fresh popcorn flavor.

I had a feeling that's what someone was going to say.  If you're gonna brew it, ya might as well brew it right.  That's why we homebrew.  Looks like I'll be doing a cereal mash.  BTW, are you the one giving the wild house strain lecture at the conference?  If so, I'm looking forward to it.

22

Beer Recipes / Re: Witbier grain bill: Unmalted wheat vs flaked wheat

« on: May 22, 2013, 01:41:27 PM »

flaked wheat IS unmalted.

However flaked is pre-gelatinizated so you don't have to worry about that aspect. whole unmalted wheat berries have a gelatinization temp around the mid to high 150s if I recall. but that is best case scenario with a grind close to flour.

so with the flaked wheat the starch will be readily available to the enzymes for conversion where the un-flaked wheat the starch has to gelatinize first. which is may or may not do completely.

I did know the flaked wheat was unmalted.  I should have mentioned that so it wouldn't be confusing.  I have heard of people "cooking" the wheat berries separately to gelatinize them, and then adding the berries to the mash.  Of course, if I didn't get a total conversion, the mash would be a little cloudy--which isn't a bad thing for a witbier.

23

Beer Recipes / Witbier grain bill: Unmalted wheat vs flaked wheat

« on: May 22, 2013, 09:42:31 AM »

Is there a real advantage to using unmalted wheat for my Witbier rather than flaked wheat.  I understand that unmalted wheat is difficult to grind (it has to be almost flour, right), that I'll need an extended protein rest, and lots of rice hulls--just to be sure.   I've also heard that I might need 6-row for more enzymatic power.  But everyone says the wheat flavor and body is outstanding.  It's really tempting.

24

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: When did you switch to all grain?

« on: May 15, 2013, 09:28:29 AM »

Like just about everyone, I started with extracts for about four years and thought I was a really good homebrewer.  Then I entered a competition and got my butt handed to me on a plate.  I took some time off from brewing and re-tooled my entire operation.  That's when I switched to all-grain.

25

The Pub / Re: NTSB Recommends 0.05% BAC Limit

« on: May 15, 2013, 08:46:24 AM »

The government claims they want to lower the limit to save lives and protect us from ourselves, but their true agenda has always been zero tolerance and Big Brother controlling yet another aspect of our lives.

This is getting dangerously close to political and I may end up deleting this response, but you;d be hard pressed to prove the bolded part.

I apologize for bringing politics into this, Denny.  I should have refrained from posting on this thread from the get-go.  I'll keep my politics to myself in the future.

26

The Pub / Re: NTSB Recommends 0.05% BAC Limit

« on: May 15, 2013, 07:34:58 AM »

I'm really tired of random numbers the government pulls out of its you-know-what.  I trust myself on the road with a 0.15% BAC a lot more than some of the drivers I just encountered today.

did you read the article? it's hardly a random number. it's been well tested and studied in real world situations it sounds like.

I know that I do not trust myself at .08 in fact I don't think I would trust myself at .05. for me, at... let's just go with 200 lb. it's close enough I can have a drink and then drive or two or three drinks over an evening with food and drive. that's where I feel safe and I think I likely am, although not as safe as I would be on no booze at all.

very nearly everyone that get's behind the wheel when they shouldn't thinks that THEY can be trusted more that those other guys. I am not saying that you are an unsafe driver but if I was hanging out without and you had enough booze to be at .15 I would not get in a car with you and I would STRONGLY suggest that you at least wait a while before driving.

If everyone would be responsible, rational, and honest with themselves and others about their current level of safe driving ability all the time then we wouldn't need BAC limits but they aren't and we do. and it does in fact reduce fatalities. Driving in public is a privilege not a right.

I don't disagree that someone at .15 should not be behind the wheel.  But, the article also pointed out that lowering the legal limit from 0.1 to 0.08 hasn't done much to reduce drunk driving related fatalities, and the move from 0.08 to 0.05 likely would not either.  I agree with the statement made in the article that focusing on repeat offenders and those who are clearly above the legal limit would be more affective than targeting someone who had a pint at dinner.

The government claims they want to lower the limit to save lives and protect us from ourselves, but their true agenda has always been zero tolerance and Big Brother controlling yet another aspect of our lives.

27

The Pub / Re: NTSB Recommends 0.05% BAC Limit

« on: May 14, 2013, 02:01:12 PM »

I could support this if it came with other changes to the laws.

2.  Rezone to allow more bars near houses.  The closest brewery to my house is about nine miles away.  The nearest pub is over four miles.  The nearest place to buy packaged beer is the grocery store over a mile away.  If there was a bar in my neighborhood we would hang out there, now we just rotate houses between about five families.  I miss living in the city

In the PA coal region, neighborhood bars that literally double as people's homes are a common thing.  However, a friend of mine was busted for trying to walk home, which was three doors away from a bar.  An undercover liquor control guy followed him outside.

What was the charge?  Walking while intoxicated?  Public staggering/shuffling?  Excessive eye watering?

Paul

Public drunkenness.  If they want ya, they're gonna get you.  The PA Liquor Control Board (they control distribution and enforcement, that's another discussion) is famous (infamous?) for overstepping its boundaries.

28

The Pub / Re: NTSB Recommends 0.05% BAC Limit

« on: May 14, 2013, 01:47:57 PM »

I could support this if it came with other changes to the laws.

2.  Rezone to allow more bars near houses.  The closest brewery to my house is about nine miles away.  The nearest pub is over four miles.  The nearest place to buy packaged beer is the grocery store over a mile away.  If there was a bar in my neighborhood we would hang out there, now we just rotate houses between about five families.  I miss living in the city

In the PA coal region, neighborhood bars that literally double as people's homes are a common thing.  However, a friend of mine was busted for trying to walk home, which was three doors away from a bar.  An undercover liquor control guy followed him outside.

29

The Pub / Re: NTSB Recommends 0.05% BAC Limit

« on: May 14, 2013, 11:43:42 AM »

I stand by my convictions.  And I expect to be in the minority.  But mark my words: in a few years there will be a "study" that recommends a 0.03% BAC before it's lowered to the real objective of zero tolerance.

30

The Pub / Re: NTSB Recommends 0.05% BAC Limit

« on: May 14, 2013, 10:14:43 AM »

I'm really tired of random numbers the government pulls out of its you-know-what.  I trust myself on the road with a 0.15% BAC a lot more than some of the drivers I just encountered today.