Messages

226

General Homebrew Discussion / Entered my first beer

« on: April 19, 2012, 09:12:15 AM »

Well, I just entered my scottish 80/- in a local BJCP event. Very interested in the feedback. It was my very first all grain beer, but I think it's the best beer I've brewed to date. Used Jamils recipe, it fermented like a champ, and my numbers were where they should've been. I tried to find a commercial example but was unable to do so locally. I think it tastes good, but then I have no idea what a real 80 schilling should taste like.

Oh yeah, best in show wins an all expenses paid trip to SN beer camp.

227

Equipment and Software / Re: My letter to SWMBO

« on: April 19, 2012, 09:06:46 AM »

My girlfriend loves beer, and I don't have to explain anything I spend my money on. Everyone's happy. And we both think the institution on marriage is completely archaic. But, to each his own.

228

Ingredients / Re: Zythos?

« on: April 13, 2012, 09:28:38 AM »

what would you compare the flavor of it in a late addition to?

229

Ingredients / Zythos?

« on: April 13, 2012, 08:56:32 AM »

Anyone brewed with this hop? I've got 6 ounces of it laying around.

230

Pimp My System / Re: So simple but so nice

« on: April 12, 2012, 09:11:54 AM »

I fill my mash tun in place using a pitcher so I don't have to lift it.

I do the same. On the counter next to the stove and strike/sparge water pot.

231

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: hyperactive starter (?) cracked my plastic carboy

« on: April 12, 2012, 09:05:07 AM »

I love the smell of krausen in the morning!

"Smells like.........victory"

232

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: looks a little dusty

« on: April 12, 2012, 08:41:01 AM »

I find chico clings to the sides quite a bit. Normal

233

Beer Recipes / Re: Kelsey Mcnairs West Coast Bitter

« on: April 09, 2012, 11:13:46 AM »

Tasted a gravity sample at 8 days. Just awesome. Cold crash then the dry hops. All 5oz of them. The recipe, btw was a pro am beer that Ballast Point and Stone did with Kelsey

234

Extract/Partial Mash Brewing / Re: Amber Ale Recipe

« on: April 05, 2012, 11:57:53 AM »

You can assume a ballpark rate of 15% an hour

235

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Blow off

« on: April 05, 2012, 10:41:12 AM »

The 1st used 3 different varieties and the other has 5 different.

One more variable I forgot to include above: The 1.045 was the first one I aerated with pure O2. The rest were "Shaken"

236

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Blow off

« on: April 05, 2012, 08:59:08 AM »

The main considerations are the gravity (high gravity), yeast strain (some Belgian strains are climbers), adequate head space, temperature and the amount of foam producing compounds (proteins and lipids) in the wort.

This is a small sample size of data, but looking at my last 8 batches:

All but one were WLP001, and the exception was WLP007 which did not require a blow-off.

3 were 1.060 or higher. One out of those three needed a blow-off setup. It was a hoppy IPA. The other two were malty beers with just a bittering charge and no late additions.

5 were between 1.052 and 1.041. The only one of that bunch that needed a blowoff was this 1.045 highly hopped pale ale.

All 8 were 5.5 gallons into the same 6.5 gallon carboy, so the head space was exactly the same.

All were fermented with temp control, coolest were 67 F, warmest were 69 F. I did do a diacetyl rest for all but one, but only after the krauesen if falling so thats a non-factor, IMO

237

Ingredients / Re: elderberries / juniper berries

« on: April 04, 2012, 01:16:04 PM »

"Its just a flesh wound"

238

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Blow off

« on: April 03, 2012, 12:14:59 PM »

Both were at 67 if memory serves.

239

General Homebrew Discussion / Blow off

« on: April 03, 2012, 11:52:41 AM »

Has anyone noticed an increased likelihood of blowoff (5.5 gallon batches in a 6.5 gallon carboy) relative to the amount of hops in a recipe? The last 2 hoppy beers I've done have ended up needing a blowoff setup (the 2nd I caught barely in time this morning. I pulled the top of the 3 piece airlock and it sounded like opening the biggest bottle of angry beer you've ever seen)  ?

I thought originally it had more to do with higher gravity beers. The 1st was an IPA at 1.65, but this one is a session beer, just 1.041. It does however have a pile of hops in it. All the other low gravity beers I've done have fermented like perfect gentlemen.

So, whaddyatinkabootdat?

240

Equipment and Software / Re: Meh

« on: April 03, 2012, 11:45:35 AM »

I'll give them a holler. Thanks all.