Messages

1081

Equipment and Software / Re: Better Bottle Failure

« on: January 11, 2012, 03:47:39 PM »

I've also seen those threads and reported that I have had no problems.

I wonder if they have changed manufacturers in the recent past?  Especially if the ones that are cracking are newer BBs?

Mine, as I've said, are definitely not new so if they changed manufacturers perhaps the quality has suffered.

1082

Equipment and Software / Re: Better Bottle Failure

« on: January 11, 2012, 03:20:41 PM »

I was actually sitting here trying to think where might it be...

It is possible it's still around and just buried.  But it would definitely be empty.  I do NOT forget beer.

If it's around and empty, it will need to be filled.

1083

Equipment and Software / Re: Better Bottle Failure

« on: January 11, 2012, 03:06:55 PM »

I've got one Better Bottle I must have had for close to 10 years.  Maybe more, but I can't recall.

The only issue I've had with it is I got some scratches on the inside cleaning it before I knew better.

But it still works just fine.  As a matter of fact, it's full of stout right now.  Next to my other Better Bottle (at least 5 years old) which is full of tripel.

I'd buy more, but I don't REALLY need them.  I'm down to one glass 6.5 gallon carboy, which I guess means I've broken two over the years.  Funny, as I can only recall one broken...

On a side note, you can skip the secondary unless you're dry hopping, oaking or need to free up a fermenter.  Not really necessary.

1084

Other Fermentables / Re: Gonna do my first cider Saturday.

« on: January 06, 2012, 01:43:09 PM »

All the ciders I made had a starting OG at 1.055 of 1.060.  Something close to that.

They fermented out at almost exactly 1.000.

We just opened the jugs, poured them in the fermenter and threw in some yeast.  No heating, no sulfite, just pour and go.

I found that I like the cider better on the batches where we threw some craisins (dried cranberries) in with them.

I split a couple gallons off to try some different things.  

IIRC from the other threads, you are aware that it will ferment out very dry and tart.  If you want a sweet cider, you need to backsweeten or try stopping the yeast before they ferment out.

EDITED: cuz my final gravity was wrong.

1085

Beer Recipes / Re: belgians for ageing

« on: January 05, 2012, 03:50:14 PM »

One thing to consider is that I've found that spices will fade with time.

I haven't used ginger in years (since I over gingered a ginger-honey ale), so I don't know if or how much that will fade.

I applaud your efforts.  I've brewed special beers for each of my kids, but we drank them to celebrate their christenings and didn't really keep any.  They each got their own style, though.

1086

Beer Recipes / Re: belgians for ageing

« on: January 05, 2012, 02:23:10 PM »

I would think that the darker beer would age better, but I'm not sure that I have reasoning to back that up.

I don't think that you'll get too much flavor from the honey to worry about masking it.  At least I never have.  Except for buckwheat honey but I'll never try that again.

Would you zest the lemons?  I would think you could use that like bitter orange peel.

I think a strong dubbel, as suggested, is a good route and could work well with blueberries.  I get a lot of fruit from some of the darker Belgians, so I think that could work.

When you start adding ginger as well I think you might be getting too many different flavors in there.  Just my opinion.

Are you going to try a test batch?  Or go all in and just brew it?

1087

All Things Food / Re: shelf stable eggs

« on: January 05, 2012, 01:03:53 PM »

I think you should try it and report back.

What's the worst that could happen?

1088

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Refermentation in a wine bottle

« on: January 05, 2012, 01:00:12 PM »

I wouldn't rely on a wine bottle.

A champagne bottle, yes.

Wine bottles are not intended to hold pressure.  I also don't think they'll take a crown cap.

1089

Other Fermentables / Re: Cider Yeast options

« on: January 05, 2012, 08:54:08 AM »

Here's a link to way too much cider info, but this guy has done more experiments with different yeasts than most of us will ever do, so you can learn from his experience.

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f32/results-juice-yeast-sugar-experiments-83060/

I've had good success with Nottingham and have also used champagne and premier cuvee yeast.

I preferred the flavor of the cuvee to the champagne, but in all honesty cider is not my thing.  It's super easy to make, though.

I've got some fifteen or twenty gallons of it that needs to be consumed.  Makes a nice brine for a turkey, though.

1090

Extract/Partial Mash Brewing / Re: Return of the kit

« on: January 04, 2012, 08:43:00 AM »

i have thought about buying bulk extract but then i worry about storage for small batches.

I buy bulk DME and have not had any problems with storage.  I repackage it in zip lock bags at +/- 4 lbs per bag.

The biggest issue I've found is that having 50 lbs of extract in the house means that I feel the need to brew more frequently.  And so I do.  And then I need to buy more bulk extract.

1091

Extract/Partial Mash Brewing / Re: Partial Mash system

« on: January 03, 2012, 09:36:40 AM »

I mash in a grain bag in my kettle on the stove.  I mash 5lbs of grain (including base and specialty malts/adjuncts) and typically get around 75% efficiency.

The mash needs to have some heat added occasionally to account for heat loss, since the kettle is not insulated.

As far as flavor and efficiency, this works well for me.  I've not tried another process, though I have thoughts about mashing in a cooler.  Someday perhaps.

1092

The Pub / Re: merry Christmas/happy holiday of choice everybody

« on: December 24, 2011, 09:51:26 PM »

Kids are asleep, all three of 'em. 

Wife is off working Midnight Mass (violin).

Sipping a stout and making some starters (three, cuz I can't decide).

Then I'll wrap presents, since I haven't yet.

I haven't turned the computer off, like Corky, because I need epicurious for the scalloped potatoes.

Merry Christmas!

1093

Extract/Partial Mash Brewing / Re: Water in partial mash

« on: December 20, 2011, 02:15:49 PM »

Ohhh yeah that makes sense. Thanks. Would you adjust the DME or not.

Yes.  I would adjust it to get to the same OG.

I use the .6 rule of thumb for DME mentioned by morticai.  Actually, I think I use .66 but close enough.

.75 for LME

1094

Extract/Partial Mash Brewing / Re: Water in partial mash

« on: December 20, 2011, 01:45:17 PM »

Ummm.... I think he thought you were dropping all BUT 1lb. of 2-row.

Since you're only dropping ONE lb. of 2-row, 1 lb. of extract is too much of an adjustment.

1095

Beer Travel / Re: St. Augustine - stay?drink?

« on: December 19, 2011, 10:09:34 AM »

I don't recall a robust beer list, but if you want to drive into Jacksonville we love to visit Clark's Fish Camp.

Last time I was there they had kangaroo wellingtons.  But they were out of rattlesnake.  The food is delicious and the ambiance is definitely swampy.

Love St. Augustine.  We were planning a trip last year, but #3 came along and plans changed.