Messages

61

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Cramming for a BJCP Tasting Exam

« on: October 01, 2012, 08:21:32 AM »

Maybe the Bohemian Pils was Pilsner Urquell that was lightstuck/skunky?  I've had that one on an exam before and I know a number of other people that have as well.  Seems to be a common test beer

62

The Pub / Re: New button finally fixed?

« on: September 30, 2012, 01:37:59 PM »

It's suddenly working for me in Firefox. Did I just jinx things?

Appears to be working now in Chrome also!

Still not working for me in Chrome.  Anything special I should try?

63

Ingredients / Re: Heidelberg Malt?

« on: September 26, 2012, 12:18:32 PM »

Sounds like it's highly modified, which I love..."extremely high enzyme power".

You'd probably hate Heisenberg malt then. Its enzymatic power is highly uncertain.

That's awesome

64

Ingredients / Re: First Wort Hops Chemistry

« on: September 24, 2012, 10:03:32 AM »

I heard this from Matt Cole from Fat Head Brewery as well as read in the recent IPA book.

From IPA by Mitch Steele.
Regarding Mash hopping:
"The theory is that the higher pH in the mash and the presence of oxygen allow the volatile compounds in the hops to form oxidation products with components in the malt.  The resulting compounds are not volatile and remain in the wort throughout the lautering and kettle boil process, and lend a "more rounded" depth of hop flavor to the beer"

Regarding FWH:
"In addition, the hops' longer contact time with the wort at the higher pH increases utilization, which results in higher bitterness levels."

Maybe the future book "For the Love of Hops" by Stan Hieronymus will expound upon these topics.

65

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Anyone receive their copy of IPA yet?

« on: September 19, 2012, 03:49:28 PM »

I pre-ordered the last day of the sale, mine showed up yesterday, and just finished it today. 

A great history of all things IPA, I really enjoyed the history aspect of the book. 

I thought the "IPA Ingredients and Brewing Techniques" section was a little light, but I'm not sure what I would expect in a book about IPA.  The "Milling Your Grain" part takes up about as much space as "Water".  About 2 1/4 pages on Mashing?

Lots of recipes in the back.  I really enjoyed the stories that came along with some of them.

Aside from the history, I don't think I learned anything that will help me brew a better IPA.  Though I suspect that will be the case of people that spend a lot of time reading books, forums, blogs, etc.

I'll definitely recommend it to everyone, especially if they are into the history aspect.

66

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: Brewcraft Yeast Nutrient

« on: September 04, 2012, 05:55:02 PM »

I normally use the Wyeast nutrient but when I run out I pickup the brewcraft nutrient since that is what my LHBS carries.  I've never noticed a difference between fermentation or flavor.  Lately I've been using a bag of "Fermoplus DAP Free" that I got from a wine maker friend, and the results are the same.

On my long todo list, I've been planning on doing some split trials of different nutrients to see if there is any noticeable difference.  Who know if/when I'll ever get around to it.

67

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: White Labs vials?

« on: August 21, 2012, 12:48:03 PM »

I was going to say exchange the labels for yeast coupons at http://www.whitelabs.com/beer/homebrew_customerclub.html.

However, I've never gotten around to trying to get the labels off.  From tony's post that may be easier said than done.

I just throw them into a box when I'm done with them for some unspecified, future use.

Getting the labels off is easy, but you end up leaving some backing paper and glue behind.  I've never had any luck getting the glue off either so I pull the labels off, stick the labels in an envelope, and then recycle the vials.

At one point I figured that trading for free yeast coupons was the ideal way to go.  You don't have to pay shipping on the coupon unlike everything else (I doubt you have to pay shipping on the 5000 label prize)

68

Events / Re: Re: NHC 2012 final round scorecards and awards

« on: July 30, 2012, 04:10:30 PM »

The final round score sheets are making their way. A couple guys in my club had theirs on hand at our meeting this past weekend.

Did those guys that had theirs happen to go to the conference?  I picked up mine there.  I think Janis said they either went out this past week or were going out soon

Ah, could be. Yeah, they were at the conference. I'll ask.

I picked mine up at the conference but today I received the summary letter, so I bet you should get yours today or tomorrow

69

Events / Re: NHC 2012 final round scorecards and awards

« on: July 28, 2012, 04:11:11 PM »

The final round score sheets are making their way. A couple guys in my club had theirs on hand at our meeting this past weekend.

Did those guys that had theirs happen to go to the conference?  I picked up mine there.  I think Janis said they either went out this past week or were going out soon

70

Events / Re: NHC 2012 - Chuckanut Brewing Lagering seminar

« on: July 12, 2012, 08:15:45 AM »

The best part was the mathematical formula for beer clearing.  "Particle size is the one thing you can change"... 

If there was one slide that should have not been included I'd vote for that one

71

Equipment and Software / Re: Dear White Labs

« on: July 12, 2012, 08:11:36 AM »

Aluminum foil and blue masking tape are amazing.  Cover your bucket openings with foil and use masking tape to label your starters, fermenters, and kegs.

The only time I even consider using an airlock is if it is something that is going to sit for many months, which lately has only been sour beers.  Everything else bulk ages in a keg

72

Questions about the forum? / Re: Go Down

« on: June 29, 2012, 04:18:10 PM »

The AHA just got a new IT crew, they'll be taking a look at it. We suspect it's a theme thing because if people move out of the default theme, the problems go away. (I think)

We've asked them to focus on this, so changes soon.

Drew,

Where do we change our theme?  I looked everywhere through the profile settings and couldn't find anyplace to change it.

73

Questions about the forum? / Re: Go Down

« on: June 28, 2012, 02:53:05 PM »

Any update on the NEW button working?  It still just takes me to the top of the page

74

Going Pro / Re: Counter Pressure Keg Filler

« on: May 29, 2012, 07:45:05 AM »

The hardest part was to connect Beer thread to TC connector.
Little bit of tubing did the trick.

St. Pats sells a beer thread (male and female) to TC fitting.   

As always, I recommend googling about the company before doing business with them.

Funny thing is,mi have used them several times under caution but never had a problem with them, even when returning items from my own sizing screw up.

I've never had a problem with them either, but whenever I say they have a product I always include some kind of disclaimer or else threads always seem to turn into warnings about dealing with them.

75

Going Pro / Re: Counter Pressure Keg Filler

« on: May 28, 2012, 06:52:28 AM »

The hardest part was to connect Beer thread to TC connector.
Little bit of tubing did the trick.

St. Pats sells a beer thread (male and female) to TC fitting.   

As always, I recommend googling about the company before doing business with them.