Messages

781

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: How To Clean Bottles For Your Homebrew

« on: March 24, 2010, 08:30:34 am »

Kai - it took a bunch of tries, but here is what he was trying to link
http://mikesbrewreview.com/how-to-clean-bottles-for-your-homebrew/

You guys are silly, the beer goes on the INSIDE of the bottle. No reason to clean off, nor to scrape labels. 

782

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: spruce tips

« on: March 24, 2010, 05:18:42 am »

I started thinking about commercial examples and remembered one from Yards, Poor Richard's Tavern Spruce Ale, my notes say "interesting, but not one I would have again".

For the FWIW file, with juniper I steep the branches in hot water for several hours and then use the water for all the operations. Sounds like spruce could work the same way, especially if only put in the mash.

783

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: FYI: blind taste test

« on: March 22, 2010, 04:36:03 pm »

The 8% steel reserve wasn't bad, especially if someone presented it to you as a maibock.

784

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: spruce tips

« on: March 22, 2010, 04:29:12 pm »

I use Juniper with the berries for one of my beers. We don't have any spruce, but if yours are not large enough, do you have an apartment complex somewhere nearby which might "donate" some branches 

785

All Things Food / Re: Pressure Cookers

« on: March 19, 2010, 05:12:43 am »

We have a Presto for cooking and had to replace the gasket a few years ago. Not the easiest part to obtain as it turns out.

You really cannot beat and All American for larger chores. Check out this mama jamma http://www.pressurecooker-outlet.com/941.htm
Mine is a puppy sized compared to that at either 21 or 25 qt, I cannot remember which at the moment. Mine is also old as the hills.

786

Events / 2010 BJCP Board Elections: North, Northeast, Mountain/Northwest

« on: March 17, 2010, 04:44:23 am »

(Mods - please move to the appropriate forum)

Three of the seven BJCP Board of Directors positions are up for election.If you live in one of these regions and are a member of the BJCP, please consider becoming active in the process.

Whether your interest is in being a candidate, supporting your favorite candidate, or simply making your vote count, we need your involvement.

Nominations are being accepted through the end of March, and all the details can be found on the website:
http://www.bjcp.org/electioncenter.php

Please Note: We currently do not have any candidates from the North region.

787

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: What's your Favorite Style of Beer?

« on: March 15, 2010, 08:23:20 am »

Actually Malt Liquor was 1B in the 1997 and 1998 Guidelines:
B. Malt Liquor
Roughly similar to other American lagers, but higher in alcohol
from the addition of sugar to boost the original gravity. That and
short lagering times often give the beer a rough edge. Gold to
amber in color with little to no hop bitterness, flavor, and aroma.
Commercial Examples: Colt 45, Schlitz Malt Liquor, Olde English 800.
http://www.bjcp.org/docs/1997_Style.pdf
http://www.bjcp.org/docs/style98_full.pdf

We've come a long way baby!

788

Beer Travel / Re: Brewery tours and/or brew pubs in Asheville, NC

« on: March 15, 2010, 07:23:13 am »

Far too late in responding to your note. If anyone else needs Asheville advice lemme know.

789

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Favorite Scoresheet Comment

« on: March 15, 2010, 05:32:41 am »

Too dark for style? Was it pitch black like a swarzbier? Anyway, the commercial examples listed are not necessarily 50 pt beers, just ones which are representative of the style.

790

All Grain Brewing / Re: Pressing the Mash

« on: March 15, 2010, 05:27:49 am »

Kai - I'm pretty sure I saw a plate and frame filter at one of the breweries in American Beer. For some reason I am thinking it was Long Trail.

While searching to see if it was LT (I still think it was), I noticed Full Sail uses one:
http://www.wendmag.com/greenery/2009/06/sustainable-craft-brewing/

I suspect it is much like breweries brewing with biodiesel, many more do it than we know.

791

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Favorite Scoresheet Comment

« on: March 15, 2010, 05:14:46 am »

Assuming I have a point is rarely a good idea.

But given the choice of data or opinions, I tend to put more stock in the former. Your mileage, as they say, may vary.

I'm guessing you are of the latter vintage as far as reasons for not entering comps 

There is one other reason to not enter competition and it is the reason I personally don't enter anymore, well, actually three reasons. 1 - I have enough ribbons at home I don't need anymore, 2 - I am my beers harshest critic, 3 - you don't get to sit on the BOS panel when you enter and win your category.

792

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Why don't more microbrews start canning?

« on: March 14, 2010, 08:02:36 am »

I don't see any reason to tie cans to cookware.

The boiling water scenario is pointless since at best the canned beers are run through a pasteurizer for 2-3 min with 140F spray. So any experiment should be conducted at 140F or less and for a short duration to mimic any potential temp effects.

Baking soda is also pointless since it would raise the pH toward 9, what you want to do is acidify the water for a realistic test. Beer is acidic after all. Hey, wait a minute, doesn't coke have a pH of around 4, let's run the test with coke in a can...

793

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Favorite Scoresheet Comment

« on: March 14, 2010, 05:51:07 am »

I find most of the people who make the waste beer and money comments either got back sheets they felt substandard from a previous competition or cannot brew to style to save their butt...

How did you find that?

As was stated, from YEARS of experience. I assume you have a point somewhere, I'm old, spell it out...

794

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Favorite Scoresheet Comment

« on: March 13, 2010, 04:51:49 am »

I find most of the people who make the waste beer and money comments either got back sheets they felt substandard from a previous competition or cannot brew to style to save their butt...

795

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Why don't more microbrews start canning?

« on: March 12, 2010, 06:27:50 am »

So dean are you saying after a single swallow you couldn't tell a difference? Where's the backpedal emoticon when it's needed?  

Seriously, I could not pick out the particular beer in a flight of American Light and Standard lagers since I don't drink them much anymore, but if you gave me 10 samples I could describe them all one after another and what I perceived. If one was metallic I certainly could pick it out and if three were, I certainly could pick them out. My point being the metallic you perceive is in your head OR is your tongue touching the can itself. Palate fatigue really doesn't set in until you are on a flight of beers with strong flavors. A very hoppy flight will quickly fatigue the palate as can a strong alcohol flight. But light lagers...c'mon...