Messages

76

Equipment and Software / Re: Stained Plastic Fermenters

« on: October 08, 2012, 08:47:30 AM »

sodium hydroxide will make it sparkling new after an 8-10 hour soak.

Would that work on a vinyl blow off hose?

77

Kegging and Bottling / Re: 2nd half of keg undercarbed at bottling?

« on: October 08, 2012, 07:47:05 AM »

did you have to lower the keg pressure for bottle filling?

Yes. Carbonated at 8 psi over a week, bottled at about 2 psi. This is how I've done it in the past with no issues, much over 2 psi and you have foaming issues with the beergun.

78

Kegging and Bottling / 2nd half of keg undercarbed at bottling?

« on: October 08, 2012, 06:53:06 AM »

Bottled a beer the other night, usual routine for a beer at 2.5ish volumes. I usually pull a half pint or so a day when I think its close, when it's right I'll bottle. Set up my gear and got to work with the beergun. bottled a case or so, poured one for myself while I was at it, and it was right where I wanted it. Got a 6 pack into the second case and I notice I'm getting less foam in the neck, didn't think too much of it at the time. Opened a bottle out of that case a cpl days later and it's maybe 1.5 vols. Tried another, same thing. Tried one from the first case and its 2.5. Very strange.

The only thing different on this batch from every other is I dry hopped in the keg. I did not remove them while I was bottling. Could that have anything to do with it? Ideas?

Thanks

79

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Labeling bottles

« on: October 08, 2012, 06:31:32 AM »

For a special batch, or gifts I've used http://www.grogtag.com/
twice now. Very happy with the results.

They have some great templates, and you can use your own artwork or photos. Labels are vinyl and reusable. 

80

All Grain Brewing / Re: Brewing for a party on a deadline.

« on: October 04, 2012, 07:42:04 AM »

Bought my grains and yeast last night, the LHBS had WLP090. I've never used it but it's supposed to have a similar profile to 001 and floc better. Figured wth, it's worth trying it out on this APA

81

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Building a kegerator

« on: October 04, 2012, 07:36:35 AM »

Too many things to do, not enough time...

Amen to that. There's a keg in it now with a cobra tap on it until I have the time to clean the kegerator lines and get it up and running 

82

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Building a kegerator

« on: October 03, 2012, 01:30:49 PM »

Heres the rig:

83

All Grain Brewing / Re: Brewing for a party on a deadline.

« on: October 03, 2012, 01:18:19 PM »

Thanks for the help guys. I was starting to panic a bit there

84

All Grain Brewing / Re: Brewing for a party on a deadline.

« on: October 03, 2012, 11:40:23 AM »

I was thinking the same thing as him. lots of british styles but something really different would be nice if you are not feeling the malty/roasty/hoppy trio.

If I were just brewing for me, I'd go that route for sure. Trying to keep the hopheads happy, rest of the crowd are all big fans of the english styles.

I'm thinkin I'll go with this. Basically McDoles APA scaled to 1.050 with the dry hop added to the original flameout additions:

7 lbs Brewers Malt 2-Row 
2 lbs 8.0 oz Pilsen Malt 2-Row
14.0 oz Carapils
8.0 oz Wheat Malt
7.0 oz Caramel Malt - 40L

0.50 oz Chinook [13.00 %] - Boil 60.0 min
0.50 oz Northern Brewer [8.50 %] - Boil 10.0 min
0.50 oz Simcoe [13.00 %] - Boil 10.0 min
0.25 oz Centennial [10.00 %] - Boil 1.0 min
0.25 oz Simcoe [13.00 %] - Boil 1.0 min
2.00 oz Cascade [5.50 %] - Boil 0.0 min
1.00 oz Centennial [10.00 %] - Boil 0.0 min
1.00 oz Simcoe [13.00 %] - Boil 0.0 min

Mash at 154
WLP001
Should be 35ish IBU's and about 1.050

Look good?
 
 

85

All Grain Brewing / Re: Brewing for a party on a deadline.

« on: October 03, 2012, 10:42:56 AM »

Only other thought would be a Blonde or Cream Ale.  Simple malt profile and minimal IBU's.  I'd go for the APA personally.

After some thought, the Rye is a pretty balanced beer, so I don't think it would be to redundant to do the APA with a big late addition and no DH. I've got a recipe I like, I'll scale it down to 1.050 and post it here.

For my tastes, that list is sorely lacking any Belgian-style ales. You could easily do a lower-gravity Tripel on a two-week turnaround.

I have ZERO experience brewing Belgian styles, or I would Sean. Also, I only have one fridge with temp control and the mild will be in there at 68, don't the Belgian strains like more heat than that?

86

All Grain Brewing / Re: Brewing for a party on a deadline.

« on: October 03, 2012, 10:11:05 AM »

I'd bring the gravity down a bit and shoot for more of an APA.

Awesome idea, and I'd do it but I have a Rye Pale Ale ready to go. I think thats going to have to suffice for the hopheads. Poor planning on my end.

Any suggestions for something quick other than APA or IPA? I'm doing a mild, already have robust porter, rye pale, and esb. No wheat beer fans coming

87

All Grain Brewing / Re: Brewing for a party on a deadline.

« on: October 03, 2012, 09:33:45 AM »

I've got good temp control and can make a starter tonight, so neither of those are an issue. Cloudy I don't like, but in that time frame unavoidable I'm sure, esp with a dry hop. Maybe I should switch gears and do something smaller.

88

All Grain Brewing / Brewing for a party on a deadline.

« on: October 03, 2012, 08:58:49 AM »

So, we're having a big party on the 19th of this month. I already have a couple of beers close to being ready to keg, and then bottle, but I need 2 beers for the kegerator and I'm worried I wont have enough time. I decided to brew a 1.038 mild for one tap, which I think I can get into a keg pretty quickly at that gravity and using 002 which clears pretty quick for me. The rub is I have a couple of dear friends coming that LOVE IPA and I don't have any on hand. I can't brew until friday afternoon (the 5th) and I need it in the keg and ready to serve on the 19th.

Two questions: a) can it be done, and b) do you have any suggestions as far as process or recipe that can help me get it done in time. The beer I have in mind is a RR Blind Pig clone at 1/057 OG.

Any help MUCH appreciated.

89

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Building a kegerator

« on: October 02, 2012, 10:33:11 AM »

Ran into a guy at the local who used to brew and quit. Ended up selling me his for 200 bucks. Nice 2 tap setup. Thanks for the input regardless.

90

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Where'd my hops go?

« on: October 01, 2012, 10:23:22 AM »

I was just shooting for clearer beer, playing around with different techniques. After this experiment, I don't think fining an IPA with gelatin will be on the list of things to keep doing. Lesson learned, which is always a good thing.