Topics

136

Ingredients / Domestic Challenger...English Bittering Hops...

« on: August 29, 2010, 01:31:56 PM »

I'm getting back into the English ale kick, and see that there is a domestic Challenger hop available through Hops Direct.  How close to the English hop is it? 

How critical to an English pale is the bittering hop?  If I used Magnum in place of either Challenger or Target, would it be obvious in the glass, provided I stuck to either EKGs or Fuggles as the flavor/aroma addition?

137

Commercial Beer Reviews / Oskar Blues ...

« on: August 28, 2010, 07:40:13 PM »

A local watering hole is serving Oskar Blues Gubna, on tap.  Apparently, it's a double IPA @ 10.5% ABV.  From their site, it appears they have the distinction of being the first craft brewery to can its beers.  Any feedback on this "Gubna" offering, or any of their other brews?

http://www.oskarblues.com/the-brews/gubna

While I'm at it, what's the skinny on Summit hops?  I'm hearing everything from "grapefruit bomb aroma" to "fresh garlic/onion".

138

Ingredients / British Hops...Good Quality?

« on: August 28, 2010, 01:33:58 AM »

Several years back, I purchased some British leaf hops (Fuggles, EKGs) from Hops Direct that were cheesy smelling.  I've avoided buying these particular hops ever since.  I've pretty much stuck to Willamettes as a decent sub.  However, I'm now tempted to try EKGs again.  How are they these days? 

139

Beer Recipes / Brew Your Own British Real Ale...Crystal?

« on: August 26, 2010, 02:22:42 AM »

I don't think this book indicates exactly which crystal malts (Lovibond?) to use in the recipes.

Does anyone know for certain what crystal malts are typically used in bitters, pales, and milds, by the Brit breweries?
I'm not so much interested in what homebrewers are personally using, but what the British breweries are actually using.

140

General Homebrew Discussion / Carbonating in Growlers?

« on: August 14, 2010, 04:36:28 PM »

Instead of filling ~50, 12 -oz bottles, could 64oz growlers be used?  Will they seal well enough?  Any adjustments to be made?

141

Ingredients / Hop Harvest Help

« on: August 03, 2010, 12:36:13 PM »

A friend of mine in Southern Oregon asked what month to harvest his homegrown hops.  I'm not a hop grower, but I think it must be in the Fall sometime.  Any help?

Also, is there a good tutorial somewhere, hopefully with pics, that describes how to tell when the hops are ripe for picking?  Thanks.

142

Yeast and Fermentation / Chunks/solids in Wyeast?

« on: May 28, 2010, 02:40:31 PM »

I poured my Wyeast 2206 into the starter, and out came a few solids/chunks?  This is a first for me.  Anything to be concerned with?

143

Yeast and Fermentation / Dry yeast in a German pils

« on: April 29, 2010, 01:37:14 AM »

It's getting time for me to start brewing my summer pils, 4 cornies worth, and for the first time I'm considering dry yeast.  I'd appreciate hearing from those who have actually used dry yeast in a German pils.  I'm not willing to use dry yeast simply because it's easier, but only if it will produce a pils equal or near-equal to a liquid yeast strain.  Tell me straight, please.  Any worthy dry strains out there?

144

All Grain Brewing / Gambrinus Pale Malt?

« on: April 08, 2010, 12:23:55 PM »

I ordered a sack of GW 2-row from the LHBS.  They ordered the Gambrinus by mistake.  I haven't paid for it, yet, until I find out about it.  I've never used it.  Any feedback?  How does it compare to GW?

145

Yeast and Fermentation / Yeast Washing 101

« on: April 07, 2010, 12:57:14 PM »

I've never had reason to use the yeast washing procedure until now.  Due to recent changes in my brewing process, I collect a large amount of trub in my fermenter. 

My questions: After dumping the trub/yeast from the fermenter into a 1gallon jar, how long should I let it settle out before pouring off the viable yeast?  Should I refrigerate it during the settling process?  Would it be safe to say that the more trub in the jar, the longer I should let it settle out?  Thanks.

146

Equipment and Software / Leaky keg lids...gaskets...lube

« on: April 01, 2010, 03:48:12 PM »

I've never had problems with leaky keg lids until now.  It used to be if a lid was leaking, I would simply turn it around in the other direction, and the problem was solved.  But, this doesn't always work anymore.  Now, I find myself swapping out lids until I get one that won't leak.  I've even resorted to using keg lube, which I never had to do before.

How long before those black gaskets have to be replaced?

Visually, they look fine, but do they shrink over time?

147

General Homebrew Discussion / Sun Oxygen Cleaner/Oxyclean.. .film

« on: March 30, 2010, 02:56:35 AM »

I've been using this Sun Oxygen Cleaner for awhile, and am noticing a white film on my Super Siphon hose.  I'm also noticing a buildup in my plastic bucket.  Does Oxyclean cause this same problem?  How can I remove the film from my Super Siphon?

I don't notice this problem in glass or stainless steel, i.e., carboys or kegs..

Is there a better all-purpose cleaner?

148

Equipment and Software / Keg Lid Relief Valve...Source?

« on: March 27, 2010, 10:54:25 PM »

Awhile back someone had posted a source for keg lid relief valves that were fairly inexpensive, i.e., ~$5. 

149

All Grain Brewing / Dry Hopping...%AAUs...Effect

« on: March 10, 2010, 03:47:41 AM »

Is there any relation between the % of AAUs in a given hop, and the amount/intensity of aroma imparted in dry hopping, i.e., higher % of AAUs = more aroma imparted from dry hopping?

Is there any relation between the % of AAUs in a given hop, and the amount/intensity of flavor that can carry over in dry hopping, i.e., higher % of AAUs = more flavor imparted from dry hopping?