Messages

8506

Equipment and Software / Re: Using a pump

« on: December 27, 2009, 11:39:47 AM »

I use the "belt AND suspenders" approach.  I recirculate StarSan through my pump for about 5 minutes, then at the end of the boil I recirc boiling wort for 5-10 min.

+1

or you can also use some hot water from the HLT to run through the pump prior transfer as well. I also like to run hot water through the pump to do a final cleaning prior to storage.

I could if I used a HLT!

8507

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: S23 Lager Yeast from Fermentis

« on: December 27, 2009, 10:12:20 AM »

I've tasted a few good beers made with S-23, but none of them have been mine!  I made the 2 worst batches I've ever made using S-23.  The only uninfected beers I've ever dumped out.

8508

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: Dry Hopping

« on: December 27, 2009, 10:10:26 AM »

2: How many pellets do I add? I know this will probably depend upon the AA of the hops I am using but just wondered what a general rule of thumb might be.

Not at all.  Dry hops add ni bitterness, so the AA of them doesn't matter.  Go for the aroma properties.

8509

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: Brewing with a yeast starter

« on: December 27, 2009, 10:09:09 AM »

I've always tried to get the crazy vortext (to use NorthernIke's words) in order to make sure I have sufficient oxygen in the wort. Is a small dimple sufficient for oxygenation?

Yep.

8510

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Arctic Alchemy..

« on: December 26, 2009, 03:04:47 PM »

Wow, what an adventure!  Best of luck and I can't wait to see and hear the story!

8511

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Denny...

« on: December 23, 2009, 07:17:43 PM »

.  A while back, I brought home a bottle of IIPA and warned my wife ( a small person) that it was 10%.  She said "So what?".

What a woman!! She's a keeper!! 

33 years so far!

8512

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Denny...

« on: December 23, 2009, 07:08:06 PM »

I guess I am the opposite. Most of the beers I brew are under 1.060. I like higher gravity beers very much (and always have a few kegs of tripel, Barley Wines, RIS, etc, laying around), but I am more of a session drinking guy. If I really want something with some alkyhaul I just go for bourbon. 

I've never been able to develop a taste for bourbon or Scotch.  I came to realize a while back that the average beer around here is 7.5%.  A while back, I brought home a bottle of IIPA and warned my wife ( a small person) that it was 10%.  She said "So what?".

8513

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Denny...

« on: December 23, 2009, 07:05:32 PM »

I know for some it will be hard to believe, but there is so much more flavor in the higher OG beers.

I agree, and that's one of the reasons I tend toward them.  I really believe there's a lot more skill (albeit of a different type) involved in brewing a subtle beer rather than a monster.   Truthfully, I envy the guys who can brew a perfect American light lager, because I think that would be a lot tougher than some of the beers I tend towards.  Not that I won't drink a big beer, you understand.....

8514

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Denny...

« on: December 23, 2009, 07:01:02 PM »

I don't know what you guys are talking about

Fred, I KNEW this would draw ya outta the woodwork!   

8515

All Grain Brewing / Re: What are the practical effects of mashing too low?

« on: December 23, 2009, 03:48:49 PM »

FWIW, I've found the iodine test easy enough to screw up that I advise people to just skip it.

8516

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Denny...

« on: December 23, 2009, 03:45:20 PM »

Dean, buddy, all that means is you're nuts, too!   

8517

All Grain Brewing / Re: Malt Conditioning

« on: December 23, 2009, 11:04:48 AM »

Yeah, my efficiency went up quite a bit when I tightened it, so being the pragmatic type, I left it there!

8518

The Pub / Re: What's everyone drinking for Christmas

« on: December 23, 2009, 11:02:40 AM »

Is the Santa's Helper a Rogue Clone? I tried that beer for the first time recently and really like it.

Nope, it's my own kinda "Uber alt".  The Rogue beer is Santa's Private Reserve.

8519

All Grain Brewing / Re: Malt Conditioning

« on: December 23, 2009, 10:59:42 AM »

I also have an adjustable JSP maltmill that I haven't adjusted since I got it. Factory setting of .040" I subscribe to the old motto "If it's not broke don't fix it". As I said, I am pleased with 75-80% efficiency.

About 6-7 years ago, I got the experimentation bug with the mill.  I closed the rollers as tight as they'd go, then opened them til I could just barely see them move.  It's been that way ever since.

8520

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Storing Crushed Grains

« on: December 23, 2009, 10:56:39 AM »

I've never tried freezing, so that's why I asked.  I just keep 'em in a tightly sealed paper bag inside a plastic bag in a cool room.