Messages

286

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Aging

« on: March 05, 2012, 11:01:08 AM »

Regardless, I believe it is important to taste the product at all phases- particularly as soon as it is racked and once carbonated. Going by advice or a "rule of thumb" just gets you into the ballpark. You need to figure it out yourself by tasting and drinking sooner than later. Then you can make decisions as to quality and how it may change over a few days, weeks and up to years.

I do taste them all through the process, but I'm always curious what other folks think.

My recent observations on a Citra/Amarillo Pale Ale we did were interesting. I was afraid I had some chill haze a week after they had carbed nicely, and I suppose it was chill haze as they were clear going into the fridge then hazed up. I didn't let them warm back up to see if it left or not. At three weeks after carbing up the haze is gone, cold or otherwise.
Early on the bitterness was harsher, and hop aroma was stronger.
Hop flavor and bitterness is much more present the colder this beer is
After it warms in the glass its much mellower, and the caramel malt pops through a lot more.

All in all it seems at about 3 weeks it was more "complete" if that makes any sense.

287

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Aging

« on: March 05, 2012, 06:58:41 AM »

the higher the alcohol the longer I let them sit and age.

Even hoppy beers?

288

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Aging

« on: March 02, 2012, 03:23:03 PM »

anything of 'normal' gravity that is not meant to be consumed very fresh (milds, bitters, IPA's etc) about 1-3 weeks after packageing

If you were bottle conditioning, would you include the 10 days or so it takes to carbonate?

289

Kegging and Bottling / Re: cold crash....freeze??

« on: March 02, 2012, 02:20:08 PM »

I've laid hands on a spare fridge for summer fermentations/lagering etc. No more winter outdoor cold crashing.

290

Kegging and Bottling / Aging

« on: March 02, 2012, 02:16:46 PM »

How long do you age before you consider a beer is at its best flavor? I know this varies a ton between  different styles, but maybe pick one, or even a couple.

291

Ingredients / Grain storage

« on: March 02, 2012, 02:06:08 PM »

How long can I keep pre-crushed grain around before it goes over? Storing in big ziplocks in another tightly sealed heavy plastic bag in low humidity. I'm going to get a mill but other expenses have taken priority.

Thanks

292

Extract/Partial Mash Brewing / Re: a couple questions....it's been a while since i brewed.....

« on: March 02, 2012, 01:59:50 PM »

If you ever decide to go all grain make sure you buy a blue cooler

+1
I bought an orange one and my brewshed burned to the ground the very next day.

293

Kegging and Bottling / Re: cold crash....freeze??

« on: February 29, 2012, 03:21:05 PM »

Chalk it up to another learning experience. Sometimes they're rewarding, sometimes they lunch a new carboy.

294

Kegging and Bottling / Re: cold crash....freeze??

« on: February 29, 2012, 03:11:38 PM »

So, after subjecting my carboy and beer to below freezing temps and fussing over clarity etc, I go to transfer to my bottling bucket last night and flame the lip of the carboy prior to taking a gravity sample and racking over. What I didn't account for was (Im assuming this is the reason) the carboy was still pretty cool from being outside the night before. Flamed it for a couple seconds and the lip blew right off it.

*Such a dumb-ass*

295

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Why I brew

« on: February 29, 2012, 03:06:54 PM »

Because I critique the hell out of my beer and want to dump it all before it is time to drink it yet my friends and some other people ask for seconds.

That's why I brew.

Yup.

296

Commercial Beer Reviews / Re: Founders All Day IPA

« on: February 28, 2012, 08:10:33 AM »

I thought it was a touch thin as well, but it is a session ale (it was originally called "endurance ale" at the taproom, to my understanding the name was already being used and they had to change it to all day "ipa"). Any thoughts on the hops/malt bill? I'd really like to brew this one.

297

Kegging and Bottling / Re: cold crash....freeze??

« on: February 28, 2012, 08:06:47 AM »

I ended up leaving it out all night. Fell asleep, woke up around 4am, crapped my pants a bit and ran out to check on it. I had wrapped a big comforter around it earlier and it seems to have prevented any freezing at all. Brought it in and it was at 34f (40f 8 hours earlier, so it only lost 6 degrees with the outside ambient temp at 18f this morning). None the worse for wear, but I really don't notice any dramatic clearing effect either.

How much effect does this technique have on final beer clarity, and how suitable is it for bottle conditioned beers vs force carbed keg beers (in respect to yeast health etc)

Thanks again for your advice and opinions.


*Disclaimer: No beer, carboys or brewers were harmed during this experiment*

298

Kegging and Bottling / cold crash....freeze??

« on: February 27, 2012, 05:04:33 PM »

Getting ready to bottle up an IPA, 15 days in the fermentor, its done but I thought Id cold crash it to get it to clear prior to bottling. Lacking a fridge and seeing as howits february and I live in Michigan, I put a black t-shirt over it and set it outside this morning. Checked on it when I got home this evening, and it hasnt cleared much at all and the temp of the carboy is about 40f. Its supposed to drop down to 22f tonight and Im worried it could freeze. Is that likely? If i t does how bad is that for my beer? Im bottle conditioning so I cant really afford to kill my yeast etc. Any input greatly appreciated.

299

Commercial Beer Reviews / Founders All Day IPA

« on: February 24, 2012, 12:47:16 PM »

I'm lucky enough to live close to Founders and have had this on tap for a while, but its been released in bottles now. Just outstanding. 4.7%, big hop flavor, and just leaves you wanting another sip. If you can lay hands on a 6, highly recommended.

300

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Portable Kegerator

« on: February 22, 2012, 11:43:11 AM »

and another reason for my girlfriend to be annoyed with me.

If shes not annoyed, you're doing it wrong