Messages

1

Beer Travel / Minneapolis?

« on: Today at 09:00:51 PM »

Thanks everyone!

2

Beer Travel / Chicago in October?

« on: June 15, 2013, 06:01:21 AM »

Another vote for revolution and haymarket.  Have fun. Cheers!

3

Beer Travel / Minneapolis?

« on: June 15, 2013, 05:59:12 AM »

Headed to Minneapolis for a few days. I know surly is there but anyone have any suggestions for either beer bars or breweries not to miss?

Thanks!

4

Ingredients / Re: Calypso Hops

« on: June 11, 2013, 10:19:26 AM »

Thanks so much erockrph!  This is great.  I am not too crazy about using this hop but a little intrigued. 

Thanks again.

5

Ingredients / Calypso Hops

« on: June 11, 2013, 08:50:56 AM »

I can't seem to find a whole lot about them besides they are high AA and throw apple, pear and sometimes melon aromas.  I am going to be brewing a single hop batch with these as part of a club activity and was just curious if anyone has utilized this hop?  Good? Bad? Any suggestions or experiences you can share?

Thanks.

6

Equipment and Software / Re: Mash Tun size - I can't decide.

« on: June 09, 2013, 04:27:43 PM »

Well, luck was on my side.  Found a 70qt xtreme on amazon.  A little more expensive than a big box store (actually double the price) but only about $10 more than the 10 gallon igloo I just returned....so not too bad.  Plus they only had like 20 left, so I jumped on it. 

Thanks again everyone and I cannot wait for my first all grain batch!

7

Equipment and Software / Re: Mash Tun size - I can't decide.

« on: June 09, 2013, 03:44:27 PM »

Thanks for all the replies fellas.  I was unsuccessful in my cooler purchase.  After visiting all the stores that I could think of, I couldn't find one that fit all of my wants/needs.

I came home to find where I could locate a 72 quart coleman extreme and it seems that every homebrewer is buying them because I can't even find them in stock online.  It looks like I may end up just having to go the 52 quart route, even though I would love to find a 72 quart. 

Thanks again everyone.  Much appreciated. 

8

Equipment and Software / Re: Mash Tun size - I can't decide.

« on: June 09, 2013, 01:44:17 PM »

Alright...maybe one more question. I am actually in my 3rd store for a cooler as I type this. All the 60-70 quart coolers I have found either had wheels which make the interior odd shapes or the lid basically just sits on top making the quality questionable. Any thoughts of a regular rectangle cooler but it is only 52 quarts. Questionable for 10 gallon batches? Thanks again.

9

Equipment and Software / Re: Mash Tun size - I can't decide.

« on: June 09, 2013, 12:44:27 PM »

Thanks Denny!  I am going to go that route.  All I know is that I am going to be reading lots of dennybrew.com!  Time to get batch sparging. 

Thanks again. 

10

Equipment and Software / Mash Tun size - I can't decide.

« on: June 09, 2013, 12:16:55 PM »

Alright...I have spent basically all weekend reading up on mash tun sizes and have come here for the final word.  I am making the leap into all-grain  and am in the process (was in the process) of making a mash tun cooler.

I right away gravitated toward the round igloo 10 gallon cooler and started piecing together the ball valve.

Then I started to think about down the road.  What if I wanted to do a 10 gallon batch?  What if I wanted to do a 10 gallon batch with high OG?  All these questions started flying. 

Granted, I have yet to do a 10 gallon batch and don't really foresee myself doing one in the near future...but I wouldn't mind making one purchase rather than multiple. 

I am thinking that the 10 gallon cooler may not be enough for a 10 gallon batch (that has yet to exist).

So, my question.  If I was to continue to brew 5 gallon batches...which will likely be 99% of the time, would a 60-70 quart cooler be too big?  I would hate to buy a cooler with so much head space that I loose temp because of my grandiose idea that I will brew 10 gallons some day.

So, what do you all say?  Stick with the 10 gallon cooler and just know I am limited or is it worth to invest in a 60-70 quart cooler...assuming that maintaining mash temps would be maintained?

Thanks for entertaining a question that has been beaten to death.


Cheers!

11

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Well....it happened

« on: June 04, 2013, 11:27:48 AM »

Using nothing currently.  Didn't expect such a huge increase in temperatures (really just a few days were really warm).

Now I am debating on a swamp cooler utilization a Igloo Ice Cube cooler with some modifications or the Cool Brew bag...which is essentially a bag swamp cooler that totally incloses the carboy.

Decisions, decisions, decisions.

12

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Well....it happened

« on: June 04, 2013, 09:43:22 AM »

it's only bad when you can't drink it. otherwise, it's just "different". i've made a lot of "different" beers. part of the leaning (freudian slip...that s/b learning) process.

haha. I like your style..."different".

Yeah, I'm going to give it some time to see how it mellows out.  US-05 has always been great to me but this time I didn't do it justice.

Thanks. 

13

General Homebrew Discussion / Well....it happened

« on: June 04, 2013, 09:07:34 AM »

a bad batch.  Last night I bottled my Falconer's Flight IPA and upon racking into the bottling bucket I was getting a alcohol aroma.  Taste was alcohol up front and bitter at the back. 

I think I know my culprit.  High fermentation temps.  I worked like crazy to keep them both consistent and below 70 but a couple of times it hit 70-71. Not a huge major issue but I know the beer could have been warmer in the carboy so who knows what the actual temp was. 

Oh well.  More reason to make a fermentation chamber.  I was excited about this batch but my excitement quickly turned to disappointment. 

I will see how it turns out after a couple weeks in the bottle.  Fingers crossed.

Just wanted to share and vent a little. 

14

Zymurgy / Re: Strutting Your Stuff - Unistrut Brew Stand

« on: May 30, 2013, 10:09:06 AM »

Great.  Thanks for the advice!  Also, thanks Drew for such a great article. 

Cheers!

15

Extract/Partial Mash Brewing / Re: Extract brewing logistics question

« on: May 29, 2013, 11:01:20 AM »

+1 on the spray bottle on Star San. 

I think your process sounds good. Whatever really works for you.  You might feel less pressure/time crunch if you mix your star san during the boil. 

I have never had a problem with putting my hand over the top of the carboy but have recently just put a bung in there and remembered to re-sanitize the bung.  No issues for me.

Try a couple of different things and just do what works of you.