Messages

1741

Beer Recipes / Re: Doppelbock Grist

« on: November 25, 2010, 10:41:14 am »

I can get anything, I just have to order online. I've never tried melanoidin malt - does it contribute something different from just using a large proportion of light Munich? I did an Oktoberfest with ~50% Munich 1 and felt like it had a lot of melanoidin-y goodness.

Well, I've found that it adds some melanoidin character, especially if you're doing an infusion mash.  You want to be careful that you don't have too much roast flavors, though.  Balance the chocolate, biscuit and melanoidin malts and keep them in the background.  Most of the flavors are going to come from Munich malt and the others are there to add complexity.

1742

All Things Food / Re: Turkey Day recipes

« on: November 24, 2010, 07:07:39 pm »

Brussels sprouts with bacon and figs.  Here's a video from the N.Y. Times:
http://video.nytimes.com/video/2009/10/23/dining/1247465336798/brussel-sprouts-with-bacon-and-figs.html
Spicy cranberry chutney from a Food Network show:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/claire-robinson/spicy-cranberry-chutney-recipe/index.html
Also from the Food Network, Giada's mashed potatoes with mozzarella and pancetta.
There was a good recipe/story on making stuffing on NPR this morning (11/24) that I might try out.
Brining my turkey ala Alton Brown right now, except I used homebrewed bock for half the water.
I love Thanksgiving.

1743

Beer Recipes / Re: Doppelbock Grist

« on: November 24, 2010, 06:11:53 pm »

I've found that Melanoidin malt adds a nice malty flavor.  Can you get some of that?

1744

All Grain Brewing / Re: Sparge Arm Ideas?

« on: November 23, 2010, 12:16:27 pm »

A sparge arm is a folly.  If you want to fly sparge, I'd recommend using a manifold for your return.

So just swap out my kewler screen for a copper or PVC manifold set-up and go slow, huh?
-J.K.L.

The general consensus is to have a half inch of water on top of the grain bed, staying consistent with the amount and speed of run-off.  You don't need any special whirligigs or manifolds for this.
I usually drain nearly all the mash first, then fairly slowly fill up the tun with water until I have some hot water across the surface of the grain bed and then start a very slow run-off.  While doing this I don't disturb the grain bed by stirring, but I have found that cutting the grain bed with a long knife or spatula not quite all the way down to the false bottom (thanks, Gordon) keeps the water from making channels in the mash.

1745

Other Fermentables / Re: braggot

« on: November 23, 2010, 09:27:05 am »

Can anyone give me some advice on bottling a braggot?  Should I treat it like an ale or a mead?  Seems pretty silly in hindsight, that I got it in the fermenter before I even thought about bottling.

Hey, you'd have to give a lot more info before anyone could answer your questions.  You could go with a lightly carbonated ale-like version or you could serve it "still" (i.e. non-carbonated) that's entirely up to you.  Do you plan to age the batch long term? That could effect your ability to carbonate unless you can force carbonate it or you're familiar with carbonating an aged beverage. If you post more info we can go from there.   

Sorry, this is my first attempt at a braggot.  I used the recipe out of Schramm's "Compleat Meadmaker."  I used the extract variation and 10 lbs of wildflower honey.  I do my meads still but my ale tends to be on the full body side, mainly an Arrogant Bastard clone, that I bottle using priming sugar.  I figured on it being more like an ale and at least a year to finish.  The SG was 1.120 so I'm figuring 9-10% ABV range when it's done.  I've racked it to a secondary and expecting at least 2 months to clarify.  I was figuring on carbonating like the ale but am worried about the higher alcohol level.  tschmidlin's idea about the card drops sound like a great option, but I'm open to trying just about anything.  If I wasn't willing to experiment, I'd be drinking beer in a can...lol

I usually avoid the bottle conditioning and force carbonate my braggots.  This way I don't have to stress too much about whether they will eventually carbonate to the level I want.  You can even do this a few bottles at a time with a one liter plastic bottle and a carbonator cap.
I find that my braggots do better in competitions when entered sparkling rather than still, plus the CO2 brings out more of the flavors IMHO

btw What's wrong with canned beer?

1746

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Beginner's Post, Seeking Vertan's Advice

« on: November 23, 2010, 09:19:27 am »

Checked out our local brew shop. The proprietor is going to secure a starter kit for me so I can support our local business. She walked myself and a buddy through the whole process and informed us that she grinds grains for free and said there is in fact a club here in town.

I now have my finger on the pulse of local home brewing. I'll will be sure to keep you all updated as this story developes.

Vertan is German for a whale's vagina. ( I hope Ron Burgandy's sense of humor is welcome)

I'll order on line if I can save a LOT of money, or an item is not available....but I always try to spend my money in town first.

Words to live by.  Really.

1747

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: Lager strains

« on: November 22, 2010, 02:48:36 pm »

Bluesman,

When you mean 34/70, do you mean the dry yeast or do you have liquid culture that you know is 34/70?

Kai

I'm referring to 34/70 dry yeast.

I've been using this lately, too.  I like the performance and have no issues with attenuation.  It's nice to know it's most likely the same as WLP830.  I didn't realize that.

1748

Questions about the forum? / Re: Avatar Perception

« on: November 22, 2010, 02:40:55 pm »

I just noticed the scary clown has been replace by a tray of beer samples.  Did I say something wrong?

Not at all.  I've been wanting to change my avatar long before and this thread actually prompted the change.

It's all good. 

OK then.  I hafta say that the clown always scared me a little.   

1749

Questions about the forum? / Re: Avatar Perception

« on: November 22, 2010, 02:18:02 pm »

I just noticed the scary clown has been replace by a tray of beer samples.  Did I say something wrong?

1750

Beer Travel / Re: Special PNW Beers

« on: November 22, 2010, 11:18:14 am »

A friend of mine who lives in Seattle will be visiting me over Christmas.  He wanted to know what beers to bring me.  Actually, he asked for a list of all the beers I've tried so he could get me something not on the list.  After I stopped laughing at him, I suggested that he look for special releases and such.  But I thought I'd try another resource.

OK, if you were going to get me a mixed case of beer, what would you get me from the PNW?  We get Rogue and some of the bigger breweries but not a huge selection.

Hair of the Dog, of course, and Alaskan Smoked Porter, maybe something from Hales, Bridgeport or Deschuttes.  It would be fun to have him bring all the special release beers.

1751

Questions about the forum? / Re: Avatar Perception

« on: November 22, 2010, 10:47:39 am »

Maybe the clown will weigh in on this   

Says the guy from outer space... 

I took that picture of some art on the wall at the McMennamins St. Francis Inn in Bend, Oregon.  That was easier than finding a good picture of me.

1752

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: What's Brewing This Weekend - 11/19 Edition

« on: November 22, 2010, 10:43:29 am »

Now I'm going to watch The Sunshine Challenge awards ceremony live on streaming video.

Did you see blatz picking up 2 golds and 3 bronze medals?  Wow!

I did see. Just goes to show ya - Blatz can make a good beer!

That was the most subdued Sunshine Challenge awards ceremony I've ever seen.  Was everybody hungover?

We were still working on getting to that point, as I think I may recall.  I started judging at 9am and did 3 first round flights, then went on the pub crawl.  By the time you tuned in it had been a full day.

1753

Questions about the forum? / Re: Avatar Perception

« on: November 22, 2010, 10:36:25 am »

Maybe the clown will weigh in on this   

1754

Kegging and Bottling / Re: CO2 question.

« on: November 22, 2010, 08:42:13 am »

Your CO2 tank is likely empty now (can easily happen within 24 hours)--you may need to take the CO2 tank to be refilled.  Might want to take along the dual gauge regulator and have them show you how to put it on and confirm no leak.

I think he said he turned off the valve on the CO2 bottle.  He's talking about losing pressure on the keg after he shut off the tank.  That could be a leak at the keg or at the regulator or at a hose connection or as was said earlier, just a drop in pressure as related to temperature.

1755

Events / Re: 2011 NHC?

« on: November 22, 2010, 07:16:34 am »

I only get two options with the on-line registration: Garden or Regency/Courtyard.  Do you think this means that the Royal Palm Tower is booked up already?