Messages

331

All Grain Brewing / Re: Grain Mill

« on: April 06, 2012, 10:15:53 AM »

Thanks for the info everyone!  I actually just did a CL search and found a person that is getting rid of his entire brew system and he only lives 5 minutes from me.  With it is a mill that he's used for 10 years and he says it still works great.  Comes with a motor, belt, hopper, homemade stand, etc... and he agreed to sell it for $65.  It's adjustable and he said he hasn't adjusted it since he first set it up.  I'm heading over later today and take a look at it and he's going to demonstrate it for me.  If this doesn't work out, then I'll be looking into the JSP and Barley Crusher. 

Also, congrats to Ron and Denny on being elected to the governing committee. 

332

All Grain Brewing / Grain Mill

« on: April 06, 2012, 07:36:51 AM »

I'm looking to add a grain mill to my set up so that I can start buying bags of grain.  I'm currently doing 3 gallon batches and will eventually start doing 5 gallon batches.  Any suggestions on what grain mill to get?  Thanks!

333

Extract/Partial Mash Brewing / Re: Amber Ale Recipe

« on: April 06, 2012, 07:11:59 AM »

Good thing I attempted a dry run yesterday. My stove, even with two burners going, isn't powerful enough to bring 5+ gallons to a boil. Guess this gives me an excuse to buy a propane stand...

Or you could do a 3 gallon batch.  I've been doing 3 gallon batches on my stove with no issues and BeerSmith has a scale button that will allow you to scale your 5 gallon recipe to a 3 gallon one.  I usually have about 4.25 gallons of wort and after an hour of a rolling boil I end up with about 3.25 gallons.  Then again, it's always nice buying new toys.

334

Beer Recipes / Re: American wheat

« on: April 05, 2012, 06:33:27 AM »

I've done a few all grain versions of this American Wheat, which my is not my favorite style, but my wife really likes it (along w/ hefes and wits).  I do all grain versions of this, so this is a stab at an extract version:

6.5 lbs  Liquid Wheat Extract
8oz Munich Malt
4 oz Crystal 10
1 oz Tettnang @ 60min
1 oz Cascade 10 min
1 oz Cascade 5 min
Safale US-05/ Wyeast 1056/ WLP 001

My AG recipe changes all the time, but this would be one of the versions I've done.  I mostly change the hops and try different combos, but to match my wife's requests I keep the IBU's low and try to give it a citrus aroma and flavor to it.  I've also used Kolsch yeast (Wyeast 2565) once and it came out great, but then I guess it wouldn't be an "American" wheat.  Also, you may want to add half the extract in the beginning of the boil and the rest with about 20-15 minutes left in the boil to keep the color lower...unless you are going for a darker color.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

335

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: Sour finish in beers using S-05

« on: April 03, 2012, 07:48:49 AM »

With my limited brewing experience, I can't offer much explanation on why you are getting sour notes, but I can tell you I haven't had any sour issues with using 05.  I've only been brewing since Oct and have used 05 for 3 APAs, 2 IPAs, and 2 Milk Stouts and none of those had any "sour" issues.  It will be interesting to see what is contributing those sour notes w/ your 05 batches.

On a different note, I recently brewed one APA with 1056 (with the same recipe that I used for one of my previous APA) and my friends and I really couldn't tell any difference between 1056 and 05.   

336

Equipment and Software / Re: 55 gal SS drums

« on: April 02, 2012, 07:01:06 AM »

I picked up a surplus power transformer shell at the scap/recycle center last week.  It is painted stainless steel, 47 gallons and never used.  The scrapyard attendant thought it was carbon steel and sold it to me for $20.  It is going to make an awesome boiler!   

Wow, that's a great deal!

337

General Homebrew Discussion / 15 New Breweries coming to Denver

« on: March 31, 2012, 07:41:12 AM »

In an article in today's Denver Post, they mentioned that 15 new breweries are planning to open up in the next year.  Good article featuring Grimm Brothers Brewery in Loveland, CO, on how they went from homebrewing to owning a brewery...now that I think about it, I guess we all own a brewery of some sort.  Article hits on how homebrew laws have changed the industry and with craft brew taking up only 5% of the industry, there's lots of room to grow.

338

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: How to Add Vanilla

« on: March 17, 2012, 02:46:58 PM »

Split them. Scrape out everything inside and add to secondary.  Chop the pods and add to secondary.

I think I may skip the vodka the first time.  I think I'll scrape and chop as you suggest and add them about a week before I keg.

339

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: How to Add Vanilla

« on: March 17, 2012, 02:45:19 PM »

How much do you plan to add?  I've been debating a vanilla milk stout and I have no idea how many beans to put in.

I'm planning on 2-3 beans.

340

General Homebrew Discussion / How to Add Vanilla

« on: March 17, 2012, 12:10:04 PM »

Going to brew my first Vanilla Porter soon and was wondering how everyone adds the vanilla.  I'm going to be using whole vanilla beans.  I've read where some soak the beans in vodka before adding them.  Is soaking them in vodka necessary?  Thanks.

341

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: You know you're obsessed with homebrewing when...

« on: March 14, 2012, 12:59:36 PM »

...you spend your entire lunch hour and breaks on the AHA forum. 

I work from home, how about spending your entire work day on the AHA forum!

342

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Condo Brewing

« on: March 13, 2012, 04:18:21 PM »

I do 3 gallon all grain batches and boil about 4.5 gallons with no problems with my electric range.  I haven't tried anything bigger on my range.

343

The Pub / Re: What's the Weather Like Where You Are?

« on: March 13, 2012, 09:52:44 AM »

Beautiful and gonna be in the 70s here in Denver.  Wife's tulips are coming up, which means it's going to snow soon.

344

Beer Recipes / Re: Critique my amber ale recipe

« on: March 12, 2012, 10:18:26 AM »

What does adding roasted barley before sparge do?

Makes it so it contributes color but virtually no flavor.  Also doesn't affect mash pH.

Never thought of doing this.  I may have to try this sometime. 

345

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

« on: March 12, 2012, 07:36:26 AM »

Never really liked the traditional spring beers that much or the summer ones for that matter.  But I guess I'd go with a nice pale ale, also.  I'm starting to not really care what season it is for beer, if I have good beer on tap, it doesn't matter what the weather is like.

I hear ya.  A good beer is a good beer anytime of the year.  I usually brew certain styles for certain seasons due to requests from friends and family.