Messages

181

The Pub / Re: Having fun with sanitation

« on: January 24, 2012, 03:07:21 PM »

It's probably illogical, but I don't think I'd want denatured alcohol anywhere near my beerware.  Which seems irrational on closer observation, given that it probably would burn off completely.

182

All Things Food / Re: Roasted some Coffee Today

« on: January 24, 2012, 09:52:49 AM »

You guys are going to have me dissecting my air popper, aren't you?!?!  (That or digging the bread machine out of storage and making sure the heat gun doesn't smell like linoleum....)

For the later steps: what sort of grinder is preferred? I've got a cheapy burr grinder, but I think the granule size may be less consistent than I get with a whirly blade.  I also usually just brew drip, 'cause I'm lazy.  Is there any advantage to roasting one's own coffee if one isn't doing french press?

183

The Pub / Re: Having fun with sanitation

« on: January 23, 2012, 05:22:14 PM »

A few ounces of Everclear might do that.  You need something as close to 100% alcohol as you can reasonably get, though.  (Ethanol or isopropanol should work, isopropanol's probably cheaper for tax reasons.)  As opposed to alcohol sterilizing without flame, where 70% is the ideal strength.

184

Classifieds / Re: Electric brewing stuff for sale

« on: January 23, 2012, 02:25:21 PM »

I could cry, wishing I had the experience for this and the space to keep it in.  I only live about an hour away.....

185

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: infected beer?

« on: January 23, 2012, 01:01:07 PM »

Be aware, too, that food poisoning often takes on the order of 24 hours to show up.  It wasn't necessarily the last thing you consumed.  Basically anything non-acidic that wasn't fully cooked shortly before you ate it is a potential culprit; produce especially, these days.

186

Equipment and Software / Re: Cheapest/best wort chilling device.

« on: January 23, 2012, 12:33:19 PM »

I haven't tried this yet (still need a chiller; yes I'm new), but a double immersion chiller would probably do the trick for you.  Just get/make a second chiller, and join it with your first one. Water runs from the sink into the first chiller, which is immersed in an ice bath, then the colder water runs through the second chiller which is immersed in your wort.

187

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

« on: January 23, 2012, 10:24:01 AM »

The Southern Cross greeted me this morning. 

If I were not envious of your location before, I am now!

188

Commercial Beer Reviews / Re: Old Speckled Hen

« on: January 23, 2012, 08:56:21 AM »

It's been a while since I've had it, but I think it's decent.  Not something to get hugely excited over, but pleasant.  We have a local IRISH!!!11!!! pub (if you didn't know how to interpret that, they're very in-your-face with the fake-irish thing) that has it on draft. 

The clone of it seemed good to start with, when I was worrying about how long it would take to finish 5 gallons of beer and whether I would be able to recruit enough friends to help.  Broad appeal basic beer, compared to IPAs and the like which have a more selective, experienced audience.  However, I'm getting the feeling that going through beer won't be a problem, especially in a portable format.

189

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Saving yeast from bottle-conditioned brew

« on: January 20, 2012, 11:13:52 AM »

Also make sure you're EXTREMELY clean/sanitary with the whole process. Sanitize the bottle before opening, sanitize the bottle opener, don't let the bottle sit open any longer than absolutely needed, etc. You're culturing up what may be a few yeast cells and a few cells of contaminating yeast/bacteria will be cultured up along with them.

Indeed.  If you have the equipment to work with solid media, it might be worth plating and isolation streaking after a short revival time.  Then you can try to pick the isolated yeast colonies separate from any obviously contaminating bacteria.

190

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: A few newbie questions

« on: January 19, 2012, 07:51:33 PM »

Bottled the first batch.  Tasted it after taking a hydrometer reading -- it's got a bit of a banana flavor right at first, maybe some harsher bitterness later that I hope cleans up a bit in the bottle conditioning.  (It's entirely possible I'm just not a fan of those hops flavors, too.)  No diacetyl that's obvious to me, nor anything really skunky or off, so I'm rather pleased.  We'll see how it tastes after a little time in the bottles!

191

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Trucking wort?

« on: January 19, 2012, 11:10:20 AM »

I wonder if you'd risk oxidation by shipping the wort? Obviously there are ways around this problem, of course.  (Alternatively, you could dehydrate it, instruct the user to rehydrate with room-temp bottled water and pitch yeast, and compete with Mr. Beer.)

192

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

« on: January 18, 2012, 10:31:11 AM »

It's England again except now, the flowers are starting to come up a month early for some, two months for others. I guess once they bloom, it will dump snow, freeze and then kill off spring.

We call that an "Indian Spring"!

Somehow, that sounds much more insulting than "Indian Summer" does.

193

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: A few newbie questions

« on: January 17, 2012, 08:31:44 PM »

You're probably right....    

Star-San solutions need replaced when a precipitate forms, right? My sanitizer spray bottle has white particles in the bottom now.  What extends its life? Refrigeration, protection from light?

My StarSan solutions seem to last just about forever.  The primary thing I've heard causing premature precipitate is using water with too many minerals in it to mix your solution.  Is your water pretty hard?  Maybe try mixing up your next batch with store bought water?

Yeah, my water is extremely hard. Tastes a bit like drywall, too. 

194

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

« on: January 17, 2012, 07:03:17 PM »

(I teach a 7:30am lab, groan)

Purdue? I remember those 7:30s fondly.

Well, I remember them, anyway.

Actually, I don't remember some of them.

Yep, Purdue. Non-majors micro lab.
I'm sure at least a few of the students are sleeping. Heck, I'd rather still be sleeping then, too.

A lab at 7:30AM ?!  And students actually signed up for it?  Wow, must be a required class that is only available once a year.

To be fair, the earliest times are relatively empty.  It's required for a number of majors, runs both semesters, and we have 15 sections of it this semester.  For some reason fall enrollment tends to be lighter; we only had 12 sections last semester.

195

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: A few newbie questions

« on: January 17, 2012, 06:59:39 PM »

You're probably right....    

Star-San solutions need replaced when a precipitate forms, right? My sanitizer spray bottle has white particles in the bottom now.  What extends its life? Refrigeration, protection from light?