Messages

1066

Commercial Beer Reviews / Re: Ommegang

« on: February 13, 2012, 11:18:08 am »

I've had this plenty of times but the price was right today and the selection pitiful. At first I thought ooh a bad bottle since it was a little sweet at first. But it's nicely carbonated and since warming up is showcasing some nutty fruity flavors. Alcohol bitterness over the hops- they're there but the malt and yeast are the stars here.

Light in body too. Again drinkable. Middleweight at 8.5% abv. Awesome beer

One thing bothers me though: this says its made in Belgium not New York state. Thought it was made in the US...

ommegang was purchased by, I think, interbrew. or one of the other giant euro brands. some of it is still brewed in NY but alot of it is now import. Also not as good as I remember.

Owned by the Moortgat Brewery (Duvel).  Which may in turn be owned by Interbrew.

1067

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Using brewer's best conditioning tablets.

« on: February 13, 2012, 11:14:59 am »

I haven't tried those specifically but I have tried a couple other versions.  Disappointing at best.

I've used a variety of types of this product and must agree with Denny.

The ones I've used recently I think are Brewer's Best, but they're more like lozenges than tablets.

One per 12 oz, two for 22 oz.

I'm not pleased with them as they WAY overcarbonate the beer at the recommended dosage.

I think that the inconsistent performance outweighs the convenience.

1068

All Things Food / Re: Roasted some Coffee Today

« on: February 11, 2012, 02:33:37 pm »

No doubt.

It's frickin cold today though, so I'm not so worried right now.

1069

All Grain Brewing / Re: Can sunlight affect wort?

« on: February 11, 2012, 11:04:26 am »

When I'm painting windows and sipping an old ale, I take my time and enjoy it.

This ain't Miller I'm drinking!

Plus, I was painting in 90+ temps this summer.

1070

All Things Food / Re: Roasted some Coffee Today

« on: February 11, 2012, 10:57:01 am »

Roasted my first batches last night in a snow storm while sipping a martini.

Awesome.  Ground some this morning.

I jumped the thermostat today, too, so now I can get darker roasts.

1071

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Keg posts that don't fit

« on: February 10, 2012, 02:27:14 pm »

I've found this to be mostly an o-ring problem.

Try a little lube on the o-ring, or put on a new one.

I think as they get old they either expand/stretch a bit or they can get dirt built up on them.

I have a few kegs where this has happened and replacing the o-rings did the trick.

1072

Equipment and Software / Re: Plastic bucket vs. glass carboy

« on: February 09, 2012, 02:56:15 pm »

Let's not forget the Better Bottle.  Clear like a carboy, plastic like a bucket.

Hard to clean, dry hop, etc. like a carboy.

I've found that just about everything comes off with a good soak.  Not that hard to clean.

And dry hopping can be done in the keg...

1073

Equipment and Software / Re: Plastic bucket vs. glass carboy

« on: February 09, 2012, 08:53:15 am »

Let's not forget the Better Bottle.  Clear like a carboy, plastic like a bucket.  The best of both worlds.

I ferment in these and love them.  I also have many years of using glass and never had an issue, though there are some real horror stories about breaking carboys.

I've only fermented in a bucket once, and that was recently.  It was very odd not being able to see what was going on, but the beer came out great.  I didn't let it sit too long, so I can't speak to oxidation.

1074

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Mini-regulator - DIY?

« on: February 07, 2012, 12:13:23 pm »

So, it looks like the key is to have the high pressure regulator or you'll likely blow the seals on the low pressure.

Which is what I was concerned about.

This thing seems like it might start to get unwieldy.

1075

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Mini-regulator - DIY?

« on: February 06, 2012, 05:39:31 pm »

Very cool. Thank you. I'm not worried about pretty.

1076

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Mini-regulator - DIY?

« on: February 06, 2012, 03:40:18 pm »

This is a lot cheaper.  I'm sure you could modify it with a gauge and call it good.
http://morebeer.com/view_product/18301//CO2_Injector_Ball_Lock

Right.  That's basically what I have.

I'm trying to suss out ideas for adding a regulator and gauge.

I use mine on mini-kegs and without a regulator you can pop them out into little 5L metal footballs.

1077

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Mini-regulator - DIY?

« on: February 06, 2012, 03:38:33 pm »

I know I'd seen an article in BYO or Zymurgy where someone built one for cheap. Maybe in the last couple of months.  When I have a few minutes I'll see if I can locate the article

That would be awesome.  If it's BYO it will be more fuel to my lingering thought of re-starting my subscription.

1078

Kegging and Bottling / Mini-regulator - DIY?

« on: February 06, 2012, 02:20:56 pm »

This looks awesome to me: http://www.williamsbrewing.com/MINI-BALL-LOCK-C02-REGULATOR-P2072C148.aspx

However, the price is a bit steep.

Anyone built something similar?

I'm thinking you could use this: http://www.mcmaster.com/#air-compressor-regulators/=g4utef with a schraeder valve for an inlet and a barbed fitting for an outlet.  That would let you use one of those CO2 injectors that take cartridges.  I use one that I got at a bike store (which will fit the schraeder valve) but my biggest complaint is that you can't control the pressure.

Any thoughts?

1079

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Bourbon 'Barrel' Stout question

« on: February 02, 2012, 09:18:04 am »

I think 16 oz. would be a lot of bourbon in a five gallon batch.

I've used American oak chips and I soak them in bourbon in an 8 oz. Ball jar.  I think you get about 2 oz. or so of chips in the small jar.  I haven't measured out the bourbon, but less than 8 oz.

You can get 4 oz of chips in a pint jar, but in my experience that seems like it might be too much.

I just did an 8 oz. jar into a split batch, so it was 2.5 gallons.  The oak is very present compared to when I've done it into a 5 gallon batch.

1080

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Your favorite glass

« on: January 31, 2012, 07:21:43 pm »

Who needs a glass when you have picnic taps?

I have too many glasses to have a favorite.  Whatever is full.