Messages

16

Classifieds / Re: ATC Refractometer for sale

« on: March 03, 2013, 07:07:24 pm »

do you still have the refractometer for sale?

Sorry I don't. I sold it to a fellow club member.

17

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Bottle Fill Line

« on: February 28, 2013, 01:48:28 pm »

That picture looks good to me. That's where I like to fill my bottles to. Once the beer gets to the top of the bottle take out the wand and you should be perfect.

I was stewarding a competition once and every bottle I saw was low except for one, which was filled all the way to the top. I don't know how you do that but it was funny for the judges to see me soaked in beer.

18

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: What's Brewing This Weekend - 3/2 Edition

« on: February 26, 2013, 07:31:12 pm »

My Farmers Tan Pale for the National Homebrew Competition. It did well as an extract brew at a competition a year ago getting a 40. This time it's all grain and first time in the National Homebrew Competition. I don't enter comps much but couldn't pass up the best competition.

19

Homebrew Clubs / Re: What Denver area clubs are fairly active?

« on: February 10, 2013, 04:23:56 pm »

KROC, keg ran out club is the club I am in. I joined in June 2010 and was really new to homebrewing. I was accepted with open arms and it's a great club. We have a lot of new members this past year and always have a core group of people at the meetings. Meet every 3rd Thursday of the month at either Do Your Brew or a local brewery. Last month was Big Choice. A lot of experienced brewers and there are no dues. Plus we host the the World Brewers Forum. It's a great club.

20

Classifieds / ATC Refractometer for sale

« on: February 06, 2013, 07:21:09 pm »

I have a new refractometer for sale. I received two as gifts and don't need both. It seems to be made of both plastic and metal but still feels rather hefty. If anyone is interested in getting rid of your hydrometer and start using a refractometer this would be perfect for you. I have used mine for 2 brews so far and it's great. I was able to check the gravity frequently and not lose a lot of wort. I can get a pic of it if people want to see it. i just don't have my camera at the moment.

21

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Shipping Beer

« on: January 22, 2013, 09:21:49 am »

I have the luxury of having a shipping department at work. Not only do I know the guy shipping my brew but it  also costs a lot less because we ship so much.

I have been to a UPS store and they asked if there was anything liquid in the box, I just say no and they don't care. Just make sure to wrap the bottles with newspaper, put newspaper between the bottles. I add a garbage bag to keep the liquids in if they break. Never had that happen but can't be too careful.

Either way don't sweat it. It will get to where you want it to go, with no issues.

22

Commercial Beer Reviews / Re: Your Top 4 Hefeweizens?

« on: July 27, 2012, 09:09:31 am »

Dry Dock
Ayinger
Franziskaner
Hofbrau

23

Equipment and Software / Re: Fryer for boils

« on: July 27, 2012, 08:57:28 am »

I have read a lot about Fermcap S and it seems I'll pick some up and try it with a 5 gallon batch I have planned. If it works great, I'll keep brewing up 5 gallon batches. If it doesn't work to my liking I'll just make smaller batches. Smaller batches means more chances to brew. But from what I read it works fairly well.

24

Equipment and Software / Fryer for boils

« on: July 25, 2012, 11:05:02 am »

I am switching to all grain and therefore want to be able to do full boils. Through my research on the internet I saw that most of them come with 7.5 gallon pots. I have heard/read that boil overs will happen a lot and that I should get a bigger pot. I would like to save some money on buying a seperate pot so does anyone know where I can get a bigger pot that comes with a propane fryer for a decent price? Links would be appreciated.

25

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Fermentation Temps

« on: July 24, 2012, 01:55:23 pm »

Thanks for the responses. When reading some recipes from people it seemed like they raised the temp to get a more flavorful beer. I guess they did it to get the yeast to finish.

26

Commercial Beer Reviews / Re: Massive haul from trip to CO

« on: July 24, 2012, 10:32:19 am »

Brew Hut is awesome and the staff there is great.  I get just about everything I need from them.  Every person that comes into town to visit us, we take them on brewery tours that always begins w/ Dry Dock and ends w/ Dry Dock.
[/quote]

I agree 100%. A few of my friends came to town to visit and they all love hefeweizens. They brought a bunch they bought and I told them to try the Dry Dock hefeweizen. They instantly loved the Dry Dock over everything they have had. Dry Dock is my favorite place. Nice people, good beer and free popcorn. Can't be beat. The Brew Hut people are very nice and informative for a young brewer like myself. And what place can you get a fantastic beer and pick up some supplies.

27

General Homebrew Discussion / Fermentation Temps

« on: July 24, 2012, 10:06:12 am »

So I have read about people fermenting some of their saisons and belgian ales at a steady temp and then I have read about people letting their fermentation temps flucuate and rise. Anyone know why people do that, let the fermentation temp rise and flucuate? I have always been told to keep a steady fermentation temp to reduce off flavors and such.

28

All Grain Brewing / Re: Brewing my first all grain batch. Hefeweizen

« on: July 23, 2012, 12:00:46 pm »

I'll make sure to take some pictures through out the process and post them here. Along with my notes and a picture of the final product.

29

All Grain Brewing / Re: Brewing my first all grain batch. Hefeweizen

« on: July 23, 2012, 11:27:57 am »

I plan on batch sparging as I am trying to keep it as simple as possible. I try and keep good notes for brewing with extract and will do so with all grain. Hoping for a smooth brewday but am aware some problems are likely to arise.

30

All Grain Brewing / Brewing my first all grain batch. Hefeweizen

« on: July 16, 2012, 10:59:26 am »

So I just took the leap to all grain and decided that since it's summer time I might as well make a hefeweizen. I am keeping the grainbill simple. Here is my reciepe I came up with right before I went to the store. I made it while at a restaurant so it might not be what I want but oh well, I'll still drink it.

5# german wheat malt
4# german pilsner malt

1 oz hallertau (60 mins)
WLP 300 Hefeweizen Ale Yeast

Let me know what you think and how you think I should brew it. As well as how long you think it will take to brew. I am really excited but nervous at the same time. Seems like a big step up from extract.