Messages

2896

Equipment and Software / Re: Thermometer discrepancies

« on: September 21, 2010, 02:00:37 pm »

Some in Colorado boil at less than 200F.  That would be 6500 ft or a little more.  You want to find a calculator that adjusts for altitude and barometric pressure.

This one will do.
http://www.eggheadforum.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=60&Itemid=88

2897

Pimp My System / Re: My three tier system just built it.

« on: September 21, 2010, 09:21:06 am »

Will the pump cavitate with the valve all the way open? I  wasn't using that one for back pressure. It's always open all the way when the cfc is in use.  I throttle it with the output side. And I do have a mounted fire extinguisher on the upper propane tank shelf.

Cavitation is when the pressure of the fluid is lower than the pressure of the wort (or water or any other fluid).   A small bubble forms, and then collapses when the pressure is greater down stream.  The collapse can cause errosion to the metal on the pump, and should be avoided.  Cavitation can happen to the propeller on a boat in the lake.  Elevated temps make it even more likely. 

Keeping the valve open will put full pressure on the pump inlet, which is good.   Having the pump mounted lower is good, as you have more pressure head on the inlet.  If you slowly close the inlet valve at some point you will hear a growling type noise from the pump, as it has started to cavitate.

Having the extinguisher handy is a good thing!

2898

Equipment and Software / Re: Thermometer discrepancies

« on: September 21, 2010, 06:20:04 am »

If you have a good traceable reference thermometer, use that to calibrate the others in the mash temperature range, as that is the most critical temperature we deal with.

You don't freeze the beer (usually), and boiling is what it is (not a constant, only 212F at the standard reference).

2899

Pimp My System / Re: My three tier system just built it.

« on: September 21, 2010, 06:11:24 am »

Hacker is right, you do not want to restrict the input, as that can cause cavitation.  You can throttle the output with no problems.

I would put some cement board or large tiles under the burners, but that is just me.   You can feel the plywood and see it it gets hot.

On the side by the HLT, the suggested heat shielding is also something I would do.   

2900

Equipment and Software / Re: RIMS and false bottom

« on: September 20, 2010, 03:41:32 pm »

Is it a perforated SS false bottom like this?
http://www.homebrewing.org/12quot-Stainless-Steel-Domed-False-Bottom_p_1058.html

Or is it like this?
http://www.homebrewing.org/Stainless-Steel-PICO-style-keg-kettle-false-bottom_p_1010.html

I might have an anwer for the first one.

2901

Beer Recipes / Re: English IPA tips

« on: September 20, 2010, 11:20:54 am »

Yes, I certainly borrowed from the SSoS recipe.  I tried getting in touch with Dave Brockton to thank him, but couldn't find a current contact.

Mark,

I remember that he went to Europe on a post-Doc or teaching position.  That was back in the 90's.  Oh, this may help a little, but seems to be a dead end.  You may have found it already.
http://www.hbd.org/brewery/taproom/About.html

Jeff

2902

Ingredients / Re: Where can we get this years Hops??

« on: September 20, 2010, 06:37:13 am »

You have to keep looking at hopsdirect to see it they get more hops in.  They will get bails of hops from other growers later in the season.  Amarillo is an example, as are others.

They had Citra last year, and that was put up on the website after I bought Citra from freshops.  Not on there now, as they are out.  One can also contact them and see if they will have a hop of inerest in the future.

2903

Equipment and Software / Re: HDPE container question

« on: September 20, 2010, 06:24:43 am »

I would follow the advice in this.  Not all HDPE containers are food grade, and the black color might make me say no.
If there is a label on the bottom that says NSF, it would be food grade.

http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/plastics.html#bags

2904

The Pub / Re: Babalu

« on: September 19, 2010, 05:26:29 pm »

Sounds possitve!  I hope Jeff has a full recovery so that I can have a beer with him someday.

2905

Ingredients / Re: Where can we get this years Hops??

« on: September 19, 2010, 01:30:04 pm »

Euge beat me to it, but pay attention to the year column, as some are not on yet.

Plugs are made after the end of the harvest, as are pellets.  The harvest should be done, or done very soon.  These are the people who make plugs in the US, no 2010 listed.  Look for the retailer near you.
http://www.americanhopplugs.com/

2906

Beer Recipes / Re: Porter vs. Stout

« on: September 19, 2010, 06:55:14 am »

If the brewer says it is a porter, it is a porter.
If the brewer says it is a stout, it is a stout.

My viewpoint.

2907

Beer Travel / Re: GABF 2010 Setup.

« on: September 19, 2010, 06:05:49 am »

Thanks for sharing.

Noticed the large banner of Michael Jackson in the larger views on photobucket, which was cool to see.  Recognized Terence Sullivan in the Sierra Nevada pedal pub.

I have never been.  Maybe next year.

2908

Beer Travel / Re: London Brewers Alliance

« on: September 17, 2010, 01:03:19 pm »

Very interesting! Also shocking to see Young's Brewery gutted and basically brewing on a homebrew scale. If they are actually brewing.

I'd love to be in London right now. Sadly, when I spent my various times there I was a wee lad.

I had heard the Ram Brewery was setting, empty, awaiting the developers.  The economic crisis put that on hold due to lack of funding.  Glad to see some brewing is going on, even on a small cobbled together system.

2909

Equipment and Software / Re: Fixing a Deep Scratch in a Stainless Fermenter

« on: September 16, 2010, 06:25:12 am »

Oh yeah, I have heard that the milk stuff is extra strict.

I don't know much about the quality standards for the welds, but this came to mind.  When touring Bell's Comstock production facility, they pointed out that most breweries have dairy quality welds in the piping. Since Kalamazoo was a pharmaceutical center, and there are welding companies that dealt with firms like Upjohn, Bell's has pharmaceutical grade welds throughout the breweries piping.  Impressed me for some reason.

2910

The Pub / Re: Brewpubs that serve BMC

« on: September 15, 2010, 06:02:08 pm »

When the NHC was in Denver a few years ago, I got a laugh at the Falling Rock Taphouse.  The Rockies were playing the Yankees, so there were more than a few fans from NYC.  The bartenders would point out the large list of craft beer for $5 a pint.  The fans would ask for a Bud.  The bartender would pull a bottle out of a cooler and say "$8 please".  They would pay without hesitation.

I don't know if that would work at most Brewpubs.