Messages

16

Ingredients / Re: Colorado Hop Garden Techniques

« on: March 13, 2013, 12:32:06 PM »

I'll most definitely have to use the mulching technique.  I've also recently heard that Cascades grow particularly well in Colorado, which is the strain I had growing best (with my theory of the shaded area).  Not sure if there's much merit in this.  I suppose it would make sense that certain breeds work better in certain areas though.

17

The Pub / Re: song title game

« on: March 11, 2013, 02:38:11 PM »

The Only Place - Best Coast

18

General Homebrew Discussion / AHA eBooks

« on: March 11, 2013, 12:30:29 PM »

Not sure if this is the place for this post, but I'm wondering if there will ever be eBook versions of Wild Brews, For the Love of Hops, etc.  Or even Zymurgy for that matter.  I do most of my reading in bed, so I've been spoiled with the backlight of my tablet.  Haven't gotten through some of my paper books because of it. I know, I know...  First world problems. 

19

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: What's Brewing This Weekend - 3/8 Edition

« on: March 11, 2013, 12:27:00 PM »

Brewed my first stout this weekend.  An Imperial Russian stout no less!  Very excited to see what develops.

20

Equipment and Software / Re: promash vs beersmith vs others

« on: March 11, 2013, 08:55:17 AM »

Totally try Beer Smith 2.  Amazing tool for designing recipes.  I'll create a recipe with my book "Designing Great Beers" and then I'll use the software to tweak.  It'll even keep you within style guidelines if you'd like to be dead on.  I just found out they released Beer Smith for Android too.  That'll be a great help on brew day in addition to the brew schedule sheet you can print out from the program.

21

Equipment and Software / Re: Hoses gone wild

« on: March 11, 2013, 08:49:44 AM »

I used quick disconnects for I can unhook for the kegerator and connect to the lines on the CP filler when I need it.  All the extra hoses are in the box with the CP filler.

Paul

That sounds like what I'd like to do.  Can you get these "quick disconnects" at Home Depot or something?  Could you post a link to what you use?  Thanks!

22

Equipment and Software / Hoses gone wild

« on: March 10, 2013, 09:17:20 PM »

Hey there,

So I have my counter pressure bottle filler hooked up to my kegerator. I put tees in the beer line and gas line to add hoses that lead to my bottle filler. Everything is currently attached by ring clamps. Problem is, now I have a tangled mess of hoses that are a pain in the bum to connect/disconnect for cleaning or just removing when not in use. I'm wondering if there's a quick solution for this. I'm thinking something like how a chuck on an air compressor works. Anyone have a solution for this mess?

Thanks!

23

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: What is your favorite music to listen to while homebrewing?

« on: March 08, 2013, 11:19:01 AM »

I usually listen to podcasts or folk, rock, or country.  Better yet, I just rigged up my home sound system  so if I'm brewing on my patio or in my garage, I can change the song right from my phone!  Ah technology.

24

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: Lemon flavors in coffee stout

« on: February 28, 2013, 05:00:24 PM »

You could definitely be getting citrus flavors from the hops, but I wouldn't judge anything yet.  It still has a lot of changing to do.  I always taste by brews when racking over.  Some tasted good and turned out terrible and vice versa.

25

Equipment and Software / Re: I am not sure where to post this but...

« on: February 13, 2013, 12:52:26 PM »

+1 on making it yourself.  Grab a piece of pine and get to carving!  That way it'll be the size you want and you'll have a conversation starter in addition to your homebrew.  Get yourself a dremel and it should go fairly quickly if you're not much of a whittler. 

26

Ingredients / Re: Colorado Hop Garden Techniques

« on: February 08, 2013, 01:39:41 PM »

This simple frame is on the south side of my house. it is made of four 10foot pieces of 1/2 inch conduit with connectors.  the uprights are placed at an angle in to the ground and bent at top so they will be vertical.  the cross pieces have 90 degree bends to match them.  i just throw twine up to the top and back as needed.  they get pretty decent solid sun on the south side.

gratuititis dog pics

That looks great!  I'd imagine the south facing would get plenty of sun.  Those are some beauty dogs too! That structure look about the height that I'm planning on.  I assume that's plenty of room for them? Or would you go higher if possible? Thanks!

27

Ingredients / Re: Colorado Hop Garden Techniques

« on: February 08, 2013, 11:55:26 AM »

I am no farmer, but live in Denver, and have overly successful hop harvests.

I don't water much at all except when they were in the first year, but it probably gets a little love from my sprinkler system (overspray).  My spot is on my back fence, and I can harvest from both the yard and the alley side.  I think for mine, the secret to the success is that they get full sun all day (morning on one side of fence, afternoon on other), but the root structure is in the shade most of the day, so it doesn't lose the moisture.

I like them growing, but I don't use enough of them (only two plants, cascade).  Even using copious amounts in a fresh hop IPA and an APA....I still have pounds left.

I have had successful harvests w/ my previous plants in the past, but I think we were watering the lawn more those years, so that makes sense.  They also weren't getting 100% sunlight either.  My new plans should be fixing that!  As for the extra hops, I just got a vacuum sealer, so I should be able to extend the live of some of the harvest.

28

Ingredients / Re: Colorado Hop Garden Techniques

« on: February 08, 2013, 11:47:50 AM »

So I've been thinking about this a bit further and I've made some crude preliminary sketches.  I think it should be functional and pretty darn cool looking:

1: http://imgur.com/1OE92u0
2: http://imgur.com/q4FPZAZ
3: http://imgur.com/3OuRkiO

Also, I think I'm going to get this little guy to get it going! --> http://arrowheadhops.com/?page_id=213

Hey, nice sketches and pretty structure.

Couple things I might suggest thinking about:

Never plant different varieties close together.  Hops spread via underground rhizomes like mad, especially if you have thin soil.  Plants will soon intermingle, and you will not be able to discern varieties.  I recommend at least 6-8 feet between, and even then, you have to root prune every couple years.

Same goes for the vegetative mass at the top of your proposed arbor...bines will likely mingle causing you potential grief at harvest. 

Have fun planning!

I didn't even think of that!  Thanks!  I think I'll just do two varieties (probably Centennial and Cascade) for this structure then.  3 of one variety on the left and 3 of one on the right.  I am kind of hoping that they'll intertwine and make a "wall" of sorts.  It'll look cool, but you're right,  it will likely be a pain come harvest time!

29

Ingredients / Re: Colorado Hop Garden Techniques

« on: February 08, 2013, 10:49:41 AM »

So I've been thinking about this a bit further and I've made some crude preliminary sketches.  I think it should be functional and pretty darn cool looking:

1: http://imgur.com/1OE92u0
2: http://imgur.com/q4FPZAZ
3: http://imgur.com/3OuRkiO

Also, I think I'm going to get this little guy to get it going! --> http://arrowheadhops.com/?page_id=213

30

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: Fun fermentions!

« on: January 29, 2013, 03:21:51 PM »

That looks awesome!  I'm also curious about the stone box.