Messages

3946

Ingredients / Re: Is StarSan less effective if hard or alkaline water is used?

« on: June 27, 2010, 06:56:05 pm »

I almost always use RO water for my star san. Stays good for months that way. High alkaline water will certainly reduce its effectiveness over the long haul, but is surely good for 12-24 hours or more. My rule of thumb has been "once it turns cloudy, pitch it". Though the pH rule is more sound.

3947

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Brew Shoes?

« on: June 27, 2010, 06:52:38 pm »

It has been suggested to use those plastic milk crates or carboy haulers to transfer carboys to reduce one's risk of injury.

+1 (but I use the milk crate w/rope through the sides for handles.)

+1 to both. Also +1 to glass cuts being dangerous. And carrying carboys is only part of the risk. I accidentally slipped and fell into one once getting a nice, deep gash in my leg. No emergency room visit, but close. I then realized how dangerous it was having carboys near "pedestrian zones", especially with kids around and have since remedied that dangerous situation.

Also +1 to whoever mentioned the Vibrams Five Fingers. great brew shoe.

3948

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Is a good, low ABV IPA possible?

« on: June 27, 2010, 06:22:23 pm »

ABV does not equal FAVOR.  I hope you discover the secret recipe, and, like Vinnie C, you post the recipe for the rest of us!

I couldn't disagree more. If thats the case I guess there would be a good non-alcoholic beer out there (there's not). Alcohol is integral to the flavor of beer, as is the percentage of malt, which is directly related to the ABV of a beer. I agree with al the sentiments that you should be able to "find your own beer", and even call it what you want. But alcohol is imperative to an IPA. It may be a great beer. But a low ABV beer won't ever be an IPA.

3949

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Brew house temps

« on: June 27, 2010, 12:48:56 pm »

I don't mind the heat so much as long as I am out of the sun. That said, I prefer brewing in cooler weather by far.

3950

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Brew Shoes?

« on: June 27, 2010, 12:46:53 pm »

I wear my Vibram 5 fingers. Not a lot of protection against carboy drops though. My suggestion: don't drop a carboy on your foot. 

3951

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Is a good, low ABV IPA possible?

« on: June 27, 2010, 09:42:09 am »

My only point is that when I drink an IPA I expect there to be some alcohol in it. A low ABV IPA is a contradiction in terms AFAIC. If I went into a pub and ordered an IPA and was brought a 3 or 4% beer I would be dissatisfied. If I ordered a pale ale and it was over 50 BUs I would not be dissatisfied, though perhaps somewhat pleasantly surprised.

3952

The Pub / Re: Welcome back Kieth

« on: June 27, 2010, 07:33:06 am »

I was way more interested in the roller coasters. Hershey Park has some kick ass roller coasters. But, yeah, took a small family vacation last week and had a great time. Went to washington D.C. for a couple nights too. Got a few cases of beer while in PA. As always I picked up a case of Troegenator - probably the best made Doppelbock on the east coast, if not in the US.

3953

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Is a good, low ABV IPA possible?

« on: June 27, 2010, 07:13:32 am »

All that said, Dave's point is still valid. You technically can't have a 1.041 IPA. An IPA should fall within the range of 1.056 – 1.075 according to the BJCP guidelines, and I would argue that to really be considered an (American) IPA in this day and age the gravity needs to be over 1.060. Otherwise, its a Pale Ale no matter what kind or how many hops you put in.

3954

Equipment and Software / Re: New Homebrewer looking for the right starter kit

« on: June 26, 2010, 06:21:46 am »

You can pick up a good starter kit from either your local homebrew shop or an online retail like www.morebeer.com or www.northernbrewer.com.

I'd highly recommend picking up a good homebrewing book as well. John Palmer's "How to Brew" is a great book to start with and wilol apprize you of everything you will need to get started.

3955

The Pub / Re: Royalty

« on: June 26, 2010, 06:16:23 am »

Because they sell tabloids. 

3956

Commercial Beer Reviews / Re: SA Summer Ale

« on: June 26, 2010, 06:14:51 am »

I've personally never been a fan of the SA Summer Ale. I'd prefer if they went with Noble Pils for summer.

3957

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: Secondary "bubbling" at bottling, 1 mo after brewing?

« on: June 18, 2010, 08:21:06 am »

So, here's the deal on this yeast from my experience. First off, let me say I don't make many high gravity saisons preferring a more "traditional" (I use the term loosely) approach. So this is what happened: I tested the gravity on the saison today. The one I prematurely kegged I hooked up with a make shift airlock in the keg. I tested it today and it is down to 1.010 or so. The one I left on the primary yeast is down to 1.002 ... maybe even lower.

So, I suppose if you are brewing low gravity saisons (more "traditional") you can expect more predictable results. If, however, you are fermenting higher gravity saisons (over 1.070) you may find a much more sluggish fermentation with this strain.

Also, I have kept the temp at a steady 75 since my above post.

3958

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Lagering on or off yeast?

« on: June 18, 2010, 07:11:45 am »

The real experts say you are better off getting it off the yeast if possible. That said, I often lager on the yeast because I'm lazy. I can't really tell a noticeable difference. Of course, never longer than 2 weeks or so.

3959

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Kegged IPA - Flavor Change after 1 week

« on: June 17, 2010, 03:32:51 pm »

Yeah, soudns like you over carbed it personally. An IPA that sits on Co2 too long can really pick up some harsh notes. Don't forget, higher Co2 makes you perceive the beer to be dryer and I think this is what happened to you.

One easy way to "de-carb" a keg is to take a "in" QDC and pop in on not attached to any Co2. You can tape a piece of cottojn over the end (or paper towels) to keep thing from crawling in, though I doubt you will have problems with it regardless.

3960

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: dry hopping, a question.....

« on: June 17, 2010, 06:18:50 am »

+1. especially if you dry hop it just before serving. No worries. My comments weren't necessarily directed at you.