Messages

1

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: using half of a white labs vial

« on: June 17, 2013, 07:25:51 AM »

I've got yeast I've been re-using for over a year.  Treat it well, be sanitary, build it up in a starter and it will last much longer than a week.

Drinking a tripel brewed with yeast that was first pitched about a year and a half ago or so.

Joe Sr. How many generation is it? I had read somewhere when I first started yeast washing that more then 7 generations old could give you a different yeast aspect. Have you ever found that your strain has changed over time?

2

Equipment and Software / Re: Hydrometer Conspiracy

« on: June 04, 2013, 08:02:31 AM »

I had my first hydrometer from my first setup kit. Then about two years ago it rolled off the bench and went to hydrometer heaven. I then broke three in short order. One fell out the bottom of the tube I bought it in. One more rolled off the bench again. Should have seen that coming. And the last one I just plain dropped.
I to bought a refractometer after I bought one more hydrometer. Haven't lost it yet. Time will tell.

3

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: What's Brewing this Weekend - 5/18 edition?

« on: May 24, 2013, 12:00:42 PM »

I got a book "Brewing Classic Stules" for joining AHA last week. And as much as I would like to brew ever one of the recipes in this book I pick a Northern English Brown Ale. The Nutcastle on page 151 made me stop reading and go to a LHBS and get all the listed supplies. But it will be all grain not extract.

4

The Pub / Re: bridge collapse

« on: May 24, 2013, 11:53:43 AM »

As a person who drives over another old bridge in the south of the state on a regular basis, I wonder if this shock will get the WA house to approve the monies to do the Colombia River Crossing.
Not looking forward to 3-5 years of major traffic but it needs to be done.

5

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: blending beers

« on: May 08, 2013, 06:54:38 PM »

I once had a batch that didn't quite live up to what I wanted. Debated dumping it. Then I decided to just put it into bottles. When someone came over I opened one up and said try this. First two said not to their taste. However, the third person just was coco over it. When they were ready to leave that night I asked them to help me carry something out to their car. After a few "No Way!" and "Really?" I got a big hug.
I still here about the great beer that I just gave them.
One man's trash.

6

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: AHA Membership

« on: May 03, 2013, 05:34:12 PM »

After being on these board for a few months, I put up the funds. Can't wait for the first issue of Zymurgy.

7

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: Starter Boil Duration

« on: May 01, 2013, 07:07:38 AM »

I agree with zimaclone, and would add anything over 145* will make it safe. So if you think about the amount of time it takes to get it from that to boiling and then back down below you should be good to go.

8

Hop Growing / Re: Thoughts on hops in pots

« on: April 28, 2013, 04:53:58 PM »

I have all but one of my plants in half wine barrels. This is year three for three of them and year two for three others. I have one in the ground that is five years old.
I find that the one in the ground is harder to control then the potted plants. I have to keep a close eye on the runners. They will pop up a long way away from where it is planted.
The three year old are doing well. The runners get to the barrel edge and then up. Easy to cut off or pull up and have replanted a couple. (Don't know why. Don't need any more )
However, I did notice that the drain holes that I drilled in the bottom of the barrel now has roots into the ground. I decided that if I ever move I may want to take these plants with me (that is if the buyers don't wish to have them) so I will have to some how get under and cut these anchors.

9

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Birthday Beer Awesomness

« on: April 28, 2013, 04:08:03 PM »

All my family live in different states. So we don't get together to do birthdays. Some send Amazon gift cards. I use them to buy brew gear. Last birthday was a 10 gal igloo and false bottom. It replaces my 5 gal that I now use for sparg water. I think I will drop hints that my LHBS would be better choice. I like supporting local.

10

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: What's Brewing This Weekend - 4/28 Edition

« on: April 25, 2013, 10:57:01 AM »

I am going to try my hand at a Guinness clone. I have been wanting to do this for a long time. It will only be a half batch so I can tweek and try again. Hope to capture what I remember drinking when I was in London.
I also will be doing my old favorite Plain Pale Ale. Never tried to do two brews in the same day.

11

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

« on: March 23, 2013, 11:17:15 AM »

The last batch 

I have people ask me to redo two every time I see them. One was a red ale, dry hopped with oak. The second is a Nut Brown. Can't keep that one around for long.

12

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Brewing over Two days

« on: March 19, 2013, 05:38:07 PM »

The other option would be to mash in overnight?

OK. I hadn't thought of that. I mash in a 10 gal igloo. If my start temp is 154* and I let it sit for 20-24 hours the temp will fall to an unknown. Probably room temp of 65*. What is that going to do for conversion? Kind of a reverse step mash? Does that work to go from high to low for converting?

13

Kegging and Bottling / Re: keg lube

« on: March 18, 2013, 06:58:23 PM »

I try to use keg lube as little as possible, because I can't stand it when it gets on my hands.  Very hard to get off.

I too hate the stuff on my hands. I put on a set of disposable gloves and apply after cleaning every time I wash out between brews.

14

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Brewing over Two days

« on: March 18, 2013, 06:51:38 PM »

A nice boil kills the bad guys. proceed.

This is what I thought. But sometimes you over look something and I didn't want to waste time and materials.

15

General Homebrew Discussion / Brewing over Two days

« on: March 18, 2013, 02:09:39 PM »

I "need" to brew a pale ale that I do on a regular basis. I don't have the time to do it all in one day as I normally would. So I am thinking of breaking it up over two days. First day get through the sparge and hold the the wert in a couple of containers until I can do the boil. The next day or two later.
My question is, can you think of any reason this should not be done?
For some reason I need to validate the process to be sure I am not over looking something.
Thanks.
John