Topics

1

Yeast and Fermentation / oxygenation v.s. aeration

« on: August 28, 2012, 01:52:05 PM »

Hi everyone:

I'm considering upgrading from the "splash and stir" method of getting a little oxygen into my cooled wort before pitching yeast and I wondered what this group thought about the merits of oxygenation (i.e. pure oxygen from a tank) v.s. aeration (air pumped with an aquarium pump). 

My current, low tech method (splash and stir) is producing what I consider good beer.  But there's always room for improvement!

Clearly oxygenation would be quicker and provide more oxygen.  But it's going to cost more and require trips to a supplier (for refilled tanks of oxygen).  What are you folks doing?   

Thanks in advance!

2

All Grain Brewing / composting spent grain

« on: August 23, 2012, 03:04:06 AM »

Hi All:

I'm not sure if this is the right place for this question, so my apologies if not.  But I'm ending up with a fair amount of spent grain after brewing 5 gallon batches of beer (approx 11 lb dry is a lot heavier when wet!)  It seems like a waste to have the trash guys haul that away to a landfill.  Do you compost your spent grain?  Are there any other ways to dispose of it responsibly?  If you compost, do you have any tips for someone with little experience?  Thanks!

3

Kegging and Bottling / aluminum "bottle cans"

« on: August 07, 2012, 01:46:19 PM »

Hi All:

Here's another question from a newbie: You may have seen some of the aluminum "bottles" that various beers come in.  For example, I have one that originally contained a Bud Lite.  I used that bottle to package some homebrew and messed it up a bit with my hand capper (bench capper probably would have worked better), but the brew conditioned nicely.

It seems like aluminum has a variety of advantages: i.e. light-proof, lighter weight, unbreakable, etc.  Do any of you use aluminum bottles when you aren't kegging?  And if so, where do you get them?  (There's no way I'm drinking a couple of cases of Bud Lite!)

Thanks for any advice.

4

Kegging and Bottling / Some very basic kegging questions

« on: July 31, 2012, 02:40:29 AM »

Hi Everyone:

I've been homebrewing for a while, but just discovered the AHA and I am a new member.  This is my first forum post.

I'm interested in getting some kegging equipment and trying that out (instead of bottling).  But I'm a little overwhelmed by the choices (pin locks, ball locks, etc.)  Is there a place on the AHA site that has some basic info./guidance for the "kegging curious."  (I may well have missed an obvious FAQ on this topic - if so, sorry!)

Otherwise, if any of you have the time, I would really appreciate any advice - i.e. which locking system is preferable?  what equipment is really necessary to start out?  where's the best place to get equipment? etc.

Thanks!