Messages

916

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Lids?

« on: November 07, 2009, 07:29:31 AM »

Installing a flexible metal duct and power vent doesn't seem like it would be difficult to make and give it a try.   A metal flexible dryer vent pipe should work and be quite handy so you could swing it away anytime you wanted.  

Added:  I think I'd put a trap close to the lid, maybe a couple feet away and drill a small hole in it so any condensed steam could drain away from the brew pot.  jmo....

917

Ingredients / Interesting Ingredient

« on: November 07, 2009, 07:24:32 AM »

I was out helping a friend of mine fence in 40 acres the last couple of days so he could keep his cattle there until deer season is over and then put them back on open range.  While walking about I passed through some brush that I'd all but forgotten about until I was deep in the middle of it and thats when the aroma filled my sinus and I remembered how much I loved the smell.  Its a smell you will never completely forget even if you're away from it for a long time.  Sweet Fern!    

So I decided to research it a bit online.  It turns out its been used for centuries as a medicinal herb and it makes a tea similar to black tea, originally drank by Algonquin Indians and rightly called Algonquin Tea.  Its mildly astringent, one of its medicinal values among others, so I'm not sure how it would affect the beer as a late addition or during cold conditioning but I tried adding about 15 or 20 of the now formed buds that look like they will turn to leaves next year or flowers perhaps, it definitely added a unique and even appealing aroma to my glass of homebrew.

I may try making a gruit or herbal beer this year using sweet fern and one or two other ingredients I find growing wild.  Anybody else tried sweet fern?  Any other wild herbs etc?

918

Commercial Beer Reviews / Founders

« on: November 07, 2009, 06:37:54 AM »

Well since I'm in Michigan now I figured I'd have to try some brews made here.  Wow!  Founders makes some decent beer and I don't normally buy beer that has screw tops!     Yeh, I'm going to have to get over the screw top thingy I guess.    

So far I've tried their PA, IPA and Dirty Bastard a Scottish Ale.  Wow, all good but the PA and Centennial IPA are loaded with hop flavor and aroma, they must put in a LOT of late additons!  

919

Equipment and Software / Re: How do you chill your wort?

« on: November 07, 2009, 06:28:34 AM »

I've been using a plate chiller for a little while now but I fashioned another IC that I think I'll use in conjunction with the plate chiller.  The plate chiller works fine but I think using an IC in the brewkeg might lessen the amount of break material going into the fermenter.

920

Equipment and Software / Re: How do you brew?

« on: November 07, 2009, 06:25:22 AM »

I use keggles and a blue cooler like many others.  Since I've moved I only need to brew 5 gallon batches now (so far anyway) and I like the keggles in that I can brew up to 10 or 12 gallon batches but I don't have to.  I'm building a brew shed and I'll be adding a few toys to the system as time goes by and once the shed is able to be used.  I procrastinate a lot so it might take a while.    

921

Pimp My System / Re: My Brewery and Alehouse-Shed

« on: November 07, 2009, 06:13:59 AM »

Wow!  Nice Job!      I'm building a brew shed also.  Just put the floor joists down and a little subfloor decking at this point.  It will be 10x20 overall with 10x15 dedicated to making beer.   

Oh yeh, this is my first post on here, wandered over from the NB forum... aka dnb.