Messages

121

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Homebrew Book Topics

« on: October 16, 2011, 01:44:06 pm »

I'm pretty certain I read that John Palmer is working on a book all about water chemistry

Actually, John and Colin Kaminski.  Technical editing by Martin Brungard and A.J. deLange.  Should be a killer!

Awesome, can't wait. 

122

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Homebrew Book Topics

« on: October 16, 2011, 12:29:30 pm »

I'd like something on water chemistry, beer blending, and yeast culturing. All in scientific style and in depth without fluffy swirls and basic brewing intro taking up half the book. I realize, however, that such books would have about 5-10 people reading audience and thus would never get printed.

Have you seen Yeast: The Practical Guide to Beer Fermentation by Jamil Zainasheff and Chris White? It covers yeast culturing and a whole lot more on yeast.

I'm pretty certain I read that John Palmer is working on a book all about water chemistry

123

Events / Re: GABF first timer

« on: September 27, 2011, 08:27:13 am »

Drinking lots of water is a good point.  Whenever I walk by one of the water dispensers I fill up my glass and hydrate and rinse my glass at the same time.

124

Ingredients / Re: New Hopunion Variety databook

« on: September 25, 2011, 12:23:09 pm »

I've got a print copy that I've kept on my desk since I got it.  Would be a shame if they didn't let you download it.  I see you can print at least one page of a time of it, maybe print to PDF and recombine.  I'm hesitant to scan or do that and release it since it does have the typical "No part of this book may be reproduced..."

125

Ingredients / Re: Candy Canes in a possible christmas brew

« on: September 22, 2011, 08:27:46 am »

This makes much more sense.  But, for the love of God, peppermint in beer?

Reminds me of the time I had a beer right after brushing my teeth.  ack

126

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: 90% viability necessary? Desirable? Unnecessary?

« on: September 18, 2011, 09:03:17 am »

I recall reading that methylene blue was unreliable for viability below 80%

I've heard that as well, though I'm not sure I believe it. The viabilities I get are both repeatable and correlate well with the rules of thumb out there for viability reduction over time.

Maybe it is only a slight deviation below 80% but when you get to 30-50% it can be wildly inaccurate, I don't know enough about it to know where the supposed error occurs.

Like I said though experience and knowing your yeast and brew are a major factor in this case. 

127

Commercial Beer Reviews / Re: Moon Man No Coast Pale Ale

« on: September 18, 2011, 08:22:10 am »

I really enjoy this beer when I get a chance to try it.  I know they are tight lipped with their recipes but I thought I read an article that said the hops used were ones you wouldn't expect to find in normal pale/IPAs.  I think people need to experiment more with using something other than citra, simcoe, amarillo, etc  in their beers even though I do love those hops

128

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: 90% viability necessary? Desirable? Unnecessary?

« on: September 18, 2011, 08:19:34 am »

I've pitched yeast with (methylene blue) viabilities as low as 71% and as high as 98%, and can't tell any difference in the beers as long as I adjust the pitching rate accordingly. I brew each recipe, on average, every 10 days or so, so I'd like to think I'd pick up on those minor variations, but of course it could just be that I can't taste whatever it is that would differentiate them. FWIW, this is all with US-05 and Wyeast 1318.

I recall reading that methylene blue was unreliable for viability below 80% though I can't remember the exact reasons and another dye was more accurate at lower levels (maybe violet?)

I'm sure experience in your case is a big factor and you know your yeast and how the brews taste in the end.

129

Ingredients / Re: Oak Cubes in a Conical

« on: September 17, 2011, 08:54:12 am »

yep, if you want them to float, bag them with a ping pong ball.

Thats an excellent idea.  Added to my bag of tricks

130

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Cream Ale vs. Blonde Ale

« on: September 12, 2011, 08:41:51 am »

If you are bringing it to a party with craft beer/ home brew drinkers it's a blonde.
If you are bringing it to a party with Light Lager drinkers it's s a cream ale.   

Perfect!

131

Ingredients / Re: Experimental Hop X-369?

« on: September 12, 2011, 08:16:33 am »

I've only heard of X-369 in relation to another IPA Widmer is coming out with, I'd guess next in their rotator line.  I think whoever is distribution the hops must be renaming them to be more interesting since usually the breeding programs have such a large number of trials that a 3 digit number just wouldn't cut it.  For example U9403-131 became Mt. Rainier in year 6 of field trials

132

Events / Re: NHC San Diego Update

« on: June 20, 2011, 12:56:31 pm »

On the OT, I found that following the #NHC2011 hashtag on twitter was helpful in seeing what was going on.

I did this and it only made me kick myself harder for not going to the conference 

Seriously, it was great information being posted and I WILL use it next year in Seattle!!

You might get more timely info in Seattle if you use the #NHC2012 tag instead...    See you there!

I typo'd when searching last week and found a couple of posts under #NHC2001

133

The Pub / Re: Read any good book lately?

« on: June 14, 2011, 03:53:13 pm »

If you liked that one, I think you would really like "Patriots" by James Rawles. It's pretty much a doomsday book, about the economy crash. There's been a group of survivalist in northern Idaho, preparingfor it for years, and when crap hits the fan, the guys are ready. It's a VERY good read. What I really like about it, you can easily see it happening tomorrow.
 Also, Critical Mass was very good, if you like end of the world type stuff.

Thanks!  The local library doesn't have Patriots so I put it on my future reading list, but they have Critical Mass.   I'll pick it up when I pickup a couple of books for my trip to MI next week

134

The Pub / Re: Read any good book lately?

« on: June 14, 2011, 08:54:55 am »

Been a while since we had a book thread. Just thought I would check in and see if anyone has come accross some must reads.

  I literally just finished Vince Flynn's "Extreme Measures" like five minutes ago. Very good read. If you haven't read Vince Flyn, do. It was my first by him, and I have two more waiting. Recently, I read "Impact" by Douglas Preston. It was ok. Been powering my way through A bunch of James Patterson. "I Alex Cross" was my last, and "Cross Fire". Both were great. I'm about halfway through Alex Cross's Trial. It's not to bad. And, waiting for me my next trip to Ohio in July, I have "One Second After".
  What's everyone else up to? 

Between studying for BJCP exam and the family I hadn't had a chance to read anything for fun in a while till recently.   I read "One Second After" sometime last year and really enjoyed it.  I'll make notes of all the books in this thread and take a look at them, it's hard to find good books that hold my interest. 

Replay by Ken Grimwood
We Almost Lost Detroit by John Fuller
Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas by Tom Robbins
Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson

Waiting for Girl who kicked the hornet's nest in the library hold queue

135

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Please Help - Specialty Style Data Collection Project

« on: May 22, 2011, 08:17:05 am »

This is an excellent idea.

You might consider setting up a google spreadsheet with form input so you have less data entry to do in the end.  After you collect it all you could export to excel or whatever