1141
The Pub / Re: blacker than black
« on: November 09, 2011, 09:31:35 am »
"It's like, how much more black could this be? and the answer is none. None more black."
Couldn't help myself...
Couldn't help myself...
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1142
Kegging and Bottling / Re: Bottling Carbination Methods Info Overload
« on: November 07, 2011, 01:36:19 pm »
I've been using some of those carbonation tabs to bottle a sixer or so when I keg my batches.
I've found them to be VERY inconsistent. Or, perhaps more accurately, I've found that they often result in overcarbed beers when you follow their dosing levels.
Back when I bottled regularly, I always used corn sugar and never had an issue. I still have a pretty good sized bag of it.
JOE
I've found them to be VERY inconsistent. Or, perhaps more accurately, I've found that they often result in overcarbed beers when you follow their dosing levels.
Back when I bottled regularly, I always used corn sugar and never had an issue. I still have a pretty good sized bag of it.
JOE
1143
General Homebrew Discussion / Re: What to do when you can't brew
« on: November 05, 2011, 05:19:56 pm »
He's Joe Jr. after all. But his sisters will keep him honest.
1144
General Homebrew Discussion / Re: What to do when you can't brew
« on: November 05, 2011, 03:35:12 pm »Stogies and whiskies. Those are great fun to pair.
This is one of my indulgences. But that doesn't help you in Bahrain.
Had all the kids occupied a few nights ago and thought I'd sneak a stogie. Fired it up, sat down (on the porch) with a bourbon and BLAM. The boy woke up within 15 minutes...
If you can get apple cider, that should spontaneously ferment as well. Or just some apple juice and yeast.
Boy woke up, got to go...
1145
Ingredients / Re: Flaked Oats vs. Old Fashioned Oats
« on: November 04, 2011, 06:55:52 pm »
I've read/heard that you should toast the oats before mashing them. I forgot to do that a couple weeks ago, but plan to next time.
So I can't give you a first hand report, but it's supposed to bring out the flavor.
So I can't give you a first hand report, but it's supposed to bring out the flavor.
1146
Equipment and Software / Re: Leaky Better Bottles
« on: November 03, 2011, 09:39:01 am »
I have a couple better bottles and one of them is over 10 years old. I've had no issues with it at all, although in that time I have cracked at least one glass carboy (maybe only one).
I don't use PBW but rather Oxyclean and Cascade to clean all my carboys. A long soak in either of these does not appear to have degraded the plastic over time.
FWIW, the milk crate suggestion is a very good one. While you're far less likely to crack BB than glass, I found the main benefit to be that you don't get the distortion of the plastic when you pick it up, so it doesn't suck in anything from the airlock.
Glass has it's advantages, but I'm not sure I'd buy glass carboys again based on all the accidents I've heard about on-line. I've had no issues of my own, but the BB has worked great for me so why take an unnecessary risk.
I don't use PBW but rather Oxyclean and Cascade to clean all my carboys. A long soak in either of these does not appear to have degraded the plastic over time.
FWIW, the milk crate suggestion is a very good one. While you're far less likely to crack BB than glass, I found the main benefit to be that you don't get the distortion of the plastic when you pick it up, so it doesn't suck in anything from the airlock.
Glass is sounding better all the time.
Glass has it's advantages, but I'm not sure I'd buy glass carboys again based on all the accidents I've heard about on-line. I've had no issues of my own, but the BB has worked great for me so why take an unnecessary risk.
1147
The Pub / Re: Why hide behind a Alias?
« on: November 02, 2011, 04:52:40 pm »Besides as has already been pointed out - your information is out there already at least to anyone with $15 in their pocket.
This is really less of a concern for me than the random mopes who might google my name (present company excluded).
Google me and you'll get Linked In, an old letter I wrote to BYO and not too much else of any substance. Which is how I prefer it.
Not that I'm anti-social or anything.
1148
The Pub / Re: Why hide behind a Alias?
« on: November 02, 2011, 03:14:51 pm »Just seems like sound practice on the internet, where everything is archived for life and searchable.
I dropped my last name for just this reason. Not that I much care if you all know who I am, but I don't like the searchability thing for someone randomly googling my name.
If you read the TT Digest, you'll note I've never been shy about my name or where I'm from.
1149
Yeast and Fermentation / Re: Aerating Wort
« on: November 02, 2011, 01:22:09 pm »
I just began using the diposable O2 canisters after going for years with an aquarium pump and an in-line filter.
I noticed that the 02 doesn't seem to cause as much foaming as the aquarium pump.
Do other people get the same effect? Am I running it at perhaps too low a flow rate?
I tried for a flow rate where it was clearly bubbling, but far below a wort churning flow.
I noticed that the 02 doesn't seem to cause as much foaming as the aquarium pump.
Do other people get the same effect? Am I running it at perhaps too low a flow rate?
I tried for a flow rate where it was clearly bubbling, but far below a wort churning flow.
1150
General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Recommended Reading for Intermediates?
« on: November 02, 2011, 07:21:57 am »I did that too. Got to be the same old stuff after a while.
Hard work keeping the content fresh on the hobby, but then you get that nugget that changes things.
I agree. Looking back over the years there's a lot of repetition of topics, but I think you get that with every hobby magazine (golf, skiing, etc.).
For now, I'm getting enough from Zymurgy. And re-reading old issues of BYO from time to time.
1151
General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Recommended Reading for Intermediates?
« on: November 01, 2011, 02:53:14 pm »A subscription to "Brew Your Own" magazine is great too. You get 8 a year and it is full of great ideas, recipes, equipment, etc.
I agree, although I dropped my subscription some years ago after 10 years or so. I still refer back to my archive for recipes and a refresher on some of the past articles.
1152
General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Recommended Reading for Intermediates?
« on: November 01, 2011, 11:45:06 am »
Designing Great Beers and Brew Like A Monk are both on my end table next to the couch.
I recommend both.
I recommend both.
1153
Kegging and Bottling / Re: Under carbonated Imp Stout
« on: October 30, 2011, 02:52:20 pm »
The other thing to do is turn the bottles upside down a couple times to get the yeast back in suspension before you warm them up.
This, plus the warmer temp, is often all you need.
Of course, I opened two nearly flat bottles of tripel last night...
Thank goodness for the 2-liter and CO2. I had them carbed in no time.
This, plus the warmer temp, is often all you need.
Of course, I opened two nearly flat bottles of tripel last night...
Thank goodness for the 2-liter and CO2. I had them carbed in no time.
1154
The Pub / Re: CD to mp3
« on: October 30, 2011, 09:40:00 am »
I've got a friend that swears by Sonos. It will play your iTunes playlists remotely. Not sure if it picks up other playlist formats.
I haven't been willing to spend the cash, but the wireless amps and handset controllers are pretty cool. I think you can also control it from your iPhone with an app.
I haven't been willing to spend the cash, but the wireless amps and handset controllers are pretty cool. I think you can also control it from your iPhone with an app.
1155
The Pub / Re: CD to mp3
« on: October 29, 2011, 03:08:06 pm »3 kids under five. I have no time for anything.
Ouch.I love kids and don't have any, my wife has two - a daughter thats grown and a son thats a senior in high school.
I grew up with two younger brothers. For a good portion of our childhood we didn't watch tv, but I can recall times that my dad would come home from work dead tired. He would sit down on the couch, talk with my mom and listen to music while we ran around the house. I'm guessing that's where I got my need to unwind via listening to music (at least in-part). cheers, j
Oh, I still listen to music. We've got something on all the time. Currently my reggae play list on itunes (wife is out). Often jazz or blues on satellite radio. My wife is a musician, so music is ubiquitous in our household.
I just don't think I could make the time to clean an album, put it on the turntable, and then have to flip it and all that. If I turn my back, someone winds up screaming and crying... Or the kids would wind up scratching the albums.