Messages

1876

Equipment and Software / Re: What can I do with a keg...

« on: October 14, 2010, 04:19:05 AM »

You can pickle cabbage in it. Make pickles, store umbrellas, use it as a fermenter, make a chair or end table out of it, flower pot, if you're really handy you can turn it into a cool urinal. There's so many things...

You would make a great inventor. 

I was thinking he would make a great junk artist. 

That stainless urinal idea is pretty cool, especially if it's a BMC keg.  Not only would it look unique, but it would have plenty of symbolism........

1877

Equipment and Software / Re: CFC to Whirlpool question

« on: October 14, 2010, 04:09:27 AM »

Sorry to hijack the thread, but could someone explain to me why one might whirlpool? I've seen references to it a lot lately and am unsure of exactly what it contributes to the brewing process - is it for late hops additions?

The main reason is to pool all the trub material into a cone-shaped pile in the center of the kettle, away from the outlet spigot so you can drain wort without a lot of hop and break material.
Some pro brewers use it as a time to add hop flavor and aroma as a very late addition.

1878

The Pub / Re: Congrats tschmidlin!

« on: October 13, 2010, 10:55:32 AM »

Yeah, cool!  Tom's on the front page of the AHA website.
I had no idea he was a Wynkoop Beer Drinker of the Year.

1879

Beer Recipes / Re: 30 Year Beer Recipe

« on: October 12, 2010, 02:11:02 PM »

How many free (second and third runnings) beers did you get?  It would be a shame to throw away all that potential extract.

1880

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: More Blending.

« on: October 12, 2010, 12:19:50 PM »

I hear it scored pretty high on rateblend.com

1881

Kegging and Bottling / Re: What is the best way to remove stubborn labels from bottles?

« on: October 12, 2010, 07:00:48 AM »

Ammonia solution also works well.

1882

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: BC Canada Homebrew Laws

« on: October 11, 2010, 07:41:31 PM »

Yeah, I checked it on an actual map (2010 Rand McNally road atlas) and it's just where I thought it was.  Google has it way up river.  It's still not close to much, unless you count the short drive to Vancouver.

1883

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: BC Canada Homebrew Laws

« on: October 11, 2010, 06:20:01 PM »

I remember driving northwest from Vancouver and taking a ferry to a small island.  I had wanted to dive a fairly deep shipwreck that I had seen on some TV show, but the arrangements fell through when I got there and the dive shop hooked me up with a local diver who took me on a couple of "beach" dives.  It was still pretty memorable diving.  Very cold (45F) and fairly dark, like a cavern dive.  I think it's the same place.  I'll check the map in a minute.

OK I see it's at Sechelt INLET.  Here's a blurb about the wreck:
One of the very best wreck dives found anywhere is located in Sechelt Inlet The Wreck of HMCS Chaudiere, a huge warship is recommended for expert divers with wreck penetration and for intermediate divers for exterior wreck dives. This is a challenge as the ship is deep with 67 rooms on four decks that are all open for diving. Many rooms still hold equipment that adds to the dive. There is also plenty of marine life in and around this wreck. The HMCS Chaudiere Wreck sits in the Sechelt Inlet, in the bay north of Kuneching Point. Launch or charter from Tillicum Bay or Porpoise Bay and watch for the yellow buoys that mark the wreck.

(edited to add useless info on a wreck dive that I didn't get to do)

1884

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: BC Canada Homebrew Laws

« on: October 11, 2010, 04:15:57 AM »

I went scuba diving there once a long time ago.  As I recall the place was pretty isolated from civilization.

1885

Beer Recipes / Re: please help me build a scarlet red ale in memory of my puppy dog

« on: October 10, 2010, 11:55:27 AM »

So sorry for you and her.  I've been living pretty much pet free since I had to say goodbye to my 17 year old puppy a few years ago.
While in Vermont on vacation we stopped at this place:
http://www.dogmt.com/chapel.php
The Dog Chapel was built by an artist and dog lover.  The entire interior walls are filled with little sticky notes and photos that people have posted who have outlived their pets.  It was pretty moving.

1886

Equipment and Software / Re: Cutting a hole in my kettle

« on: October 09, 2010, 03:23:09 AM »

Do Not Use a Step Bit!!!!!!!  It is a waste of money as it will burn very easily going through stainless.  Spend the couple extra bucks the first time on a stainless rated hole saw.  You can usually get 4 to 5 holes out of each saw bit, which is better than a half a hole with a step bit.  A 7/8" hole is necessary for a 1/2" NPT Nipple to fit through properly.  Weldless fittings from MoreBeer work if you can get the thru wall fitting to seal properly.  I usually grab a 7/8" neoprene washer to do the job right.  It is worth it however to get the welded kits from them and pay your local welder a case of beer and have him weld it in.  Thanks Steve.

I have had great success with a step bit.  For me it worked like a charm and was easy to use on stainless.  Much easier than a hole saw IMO.

1887

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Hefe in a Keg

« on: October 09, 2010, 03:19:44 AM »

I keg my wheat beers and they always drop clear and bright eventually.  Wyeast makes an additive, TANAL A, to prevent that:
http://www.wyeastlab.com/com_b_productdetail.cfm?ProductID=12

1888

Ingredients / Re: Where to buy/order chocolate/cacao nibs from

« on: October 07, 2010, 02:29:38 PM »

They were presenters at the NHC in Oakland, too.  They seemed like really enthusiastic people, wanting to experiment with all kinds of beer and chocolate.

1889

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Only 1-2 beers for the winter

« on: October 07, 2010, 02:20:47 PM »

You'll get plenty of craft-brewed IPA and Ambers in CO.  I'd go for the D-Bock and a Baltic Porter.  You can always blend these stronger beers into lighter brews to get several more different styles.  These two styles a great in cold weather (as if I know, having lived in Fl for the last 20 years).

1890

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: What's Brewing This Weekend - 10/8 Edition

« on: October 06, 2010, 05:38:27 PM »

No brewing this weekend. I am going to help judge beer at the Commander SAAZ Interplantetary Homebrew Blastoff in Coco Beach Florida.  Should be fun.