Messages

16

Commercial Beer Reviews / Re: Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA

« on: May 13, 2013, 09:51:17 AM »

Love the Union, Double AND Wookey Jacks. Great beer by FW. There is some sweetness to the UJ, but I think it's balanced by the intense hopping and bittering. Double Jack is one of my favorite IIPAs.

17

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: British Yeast Recommendation

« on: May 13, 2013, 09:36:36 AM »

I use WLP002 in my lighter english beers and WLP013 London in my darker english styles (stout, porter, mild).

+1

I really like the esters produced by both of these strains.

18

The Pub / A bomber is rarely a good deal

« on: May 11, 2013, 07:32:05 AM »

I think it comes down to individual perspective and desire. Value ranks higher for some, while not so much for others. In the end it's "to each his own".

As far as breweries go, that's another story. There are a lot more bombers from many breweries on the market these days than there ever has been, but then again there are more craft breweries than there ever has been.

An interesting perspective.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/06/dining/craft-beers-trend-toward-larger-bottles-causes-a-stir.html?_r=0

19

The Pub / Re: A bomber is rarely a good deal

« on: May 09, 2013, 09:42:13 AM »

So without going back and reading over the whole article...why is there a big jump in price for the bomber. Mike? Keith? Leos?

It will be intersting to hear the opposing perspectives.

A serious question: In reality...who does this pricing strategy really benefit? The brewery...or the consumer?

20

All Things Food / Re: AHA Big Brew Day & Ribfest

« on: May 09, 2013, 09:32:38 AM »

Along with brewing I smoked a few Baby Back Ribs for the Brew Club.

Only a few 

How did it go?  Looks good! How big is your smoker...pics?

21

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: blending beers

« on: May 08, 2013, 09:32:00 AM »

You could also try buying some commercial examples of some styles that might that might make a good match with your beer, then blend them with a sample of your beer in varying proportions. If you find a particular beer/blend to be desireable, then you can plan to brew a batch similar to the commercial example used in the successful blend.

22

Pimp My System / Re: Finished 1BBL system

« on: May 07, 2013, 06:15:11 PM »

Beautiful brewstand. 

I have a similar setup (Brutus 10 design), and someone asked me if I was intending to install a CIP system. My response was "probably not". It took enough time to build the stand, tweek the equipment and start brewing great beer. I just want to enjoy it now.

23

All Things Food / Re: Growing food - The Garden Thread

« on: May 07, 2013, 09:43:56 AM »

This years garden is in.  Here's what we have: Zucchini, yellow squash (crook neck), okra, kohlrabi, wax beans, green beans, tomatoes (4 kinds), anchos, jalapenos, hot long red roasting peppers, eggplant, kale, red cabbage, red chard, beets, peas, garlic, onions, lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, asparagus (going on 8 years).  Herbs: basil, lavender, dill, rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage, bay leaf (okay, technically it's a tree).

Nice work Jim...I'm planning to plant tomatoes, assorted peppers, squash, zhuchini, cukes, etc... this weekend.

I also added 6 yards of enriched/screened topsoil to my gardens a couple weeks ago...so I'm anticipating a good crop this year. That's the hope anyway.

24

Hop Growing / Re: Hops in pots 2013 (second year)

« on: May 07, 2013, 09:38:13 AM »

It's a beautiful thing! Looks as if you have a green thumb.

My Cascade are really coming on strong this year so far. I recently started some Centennial, but it will be a couple of years bfore I'll see any significant production from them.

25

Beer Recipes / Re: Hoppy red ale

« on: May 07, 2013, 09:33:59 AM »

So, where are the hops?  JK, but I would use Centennial or Cascade for the FWH myself and maybe bump up you 5 minute to 2 oz. and remove the 30 min.  I have found that 30 min additions don't really do much for hoppiness.

Thanks, the FWH was supposed to be cascade, I guess I got my eyes crossed while typing it in. 

What do you think about upping the FWH to 2 oz. and dropping the 30 minute?

That's a better option IMO.

Another option to consider is moving your 10 an 1 minute additions to flameout. You'll get more hoppiness with a flameout addition.

26

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: One last question before my very first brew this weekend

« on: May 03, 2013, 09:36:30 AM »

I like the paint strainer, and I've also used muslin bags with success. Now I just throw them in the boil but I have the Blichmann HopBlocker. My experience has shown that regardless of which of these methods you employ, you will get some percentage of fine hop particles that make it through to the fermenter. A whirlpool in conjunction with a hop filter works somewhat better in removing hops and trub.

27

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: Fermentation temp question

« on: May 02, 2013, 09:45:44 AM »

I would try to maintain a steady temp if possible. Aim for 64-68F range for US05. This yeast performs well from 58-68F range, but I think fermentation temp control is very important for any beer. Start out pitching in the low sixties and allowing the beer to warm up slightly via the natural exothermic reaction of the yeast is best.

28

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: Starter Boil Duration

« on: May 01, 2013, 09:44:43 AM »

I bring to a boil in the flask and set the timer for 10 minutes while I do assorted other tasks then chill and pitch. Nearly Effortless.

29

Ingredients / Re: Dry hop a lager?

« on: May 01, 2013, 09:41:48 AM »

A friend of mine recently brought me a Sam Adams Double Agent IPL hopped with Zeus, Simcoe, Citra, Ahtanum, Cascade, Centennial, and Nelson Sauvin hops. I belive this is a dry hopped beer. It's very nice.

30

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Kettle Loss - Blichmann Hop Blocker

« on: April 29, 2013, 09:37:15 AM »

Seems about right.

I'm not sure how this measures up to a whirlpool technique, but it's probably not as efficient. Although, as Tom indicated, it's not so bad that I would try to minimize it. Instead, I would focus my efforts on a more qualitative measure to improve my beer. Now if I were in production, it would be a different story, but for homebrewing it seems adequate.