Messages

1

The Pub / Re: NTSB Recommends 0.05% BAC Limit

« on: May 17, 2013, 11:38:18 AM »

Just remember that testing yourself at <.080 is no guarantee that you won't be arrested. Collision plus any alcohol equals evidence of impairment.

This is true, assuming you are blood tested.

Don't need blood.  For example, left of center results in crash, cops arrive,  pbt shows .025. Guilty neg driving 1st degree.

It may vary from state to state, but pbt is generally not admissible in Washington where you (and I) live.

2

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: First Harvest

« on: May 16, 2013, 10:33:55 AM »

I actually would love to have a centrifuge for commercial bottle conditioned beers. For me that's a higher priority than one for my beers.

I wouldn't rinse #1 again, but it's your call.

3

The Pub / Re: NTSB Recommends 0.05% BAC Limit

« on: May 16, 2013, 10:28:13 AM »

you can't legislate safety.... its all about control/money.

'If the self-driving car isn't safe enough, set it up like a drone where someone somewhere else could take control if needed or the whole time if required.'

That is a seriously scary response/suggestion... There are already WAY to many 'things' controling us... we don't need any more!

It would be voluntary - you could switch it off.  If you don't like the service, don't use it.

And btw, it's not controlling you, it's controlling the car.

4

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: First Harvest

« on: May 16, 2013, 09:11:47 AM »

Suddenly thought a centrifuge would be awesome versus waiting on gravity. Any one using a centrifuge to separate yeast from trub?

Only at the lab on 3 ml cultures.  The biggest centrifuge I know about in our building will handle maybe 250 mls per container.  Here is a pic of the inside of one of those that broke - good thing the outside remained intact while the inside shredded itself.  The size of centrifuge you would need to pellet yeast in a 5-gallon batch . . .

5

All Things Food / Re: Ethnic and Regional Cooking

« on: May 16, 2013, 09:01:34 AM »

Hey guys. Nice lookin kraut.

Slovakians put caraway in everything. When people try to put stuff in my kraut now I slap their hand and firmly say "NO!" Like in Conquest of the Planet of The Apes.

What else has been gone on around here? 

Ron did you ever finish the brutus or is it still a work in progress 

Where is the weaze, he still brewing?

I may brew a batch this weekend. Wait, no I am working Saturday, looks like I will just get a case of SNPA and suck it down before I get there.

What have you been up to cap?  Weaze is MIA, Ron finished the brutus as far as I know.

When was the last time you brewed?

6

All Things Food / Re: Starsan and tomato paste

« on: May 16, 2013, 08:59:46 AM »

I used to always run into this problem.  Sometimes I'd freeze it but then I'd forget it was in there and open another can.

My wife bought some dehydrated tomato powder like this:
http://amzn.to/16C0mC7

It really works great and is super convenient.

Does it work well as a thickener?

7

Equipment and Software / Re: need tips how to really clean out a Blickmann Therminator

« on: May 15, 2013, 02:44:21 PM »

After use I immediately flush with hot water, then back flush with caustic, then rinse with hot water.  No issues so far.  I really need to come up with something to keep the hops out though.

8

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Beers for the non-craft drinker

« on: May 14, 2013, 10:56:51 PM »

"Do you have something light?"

No.

9

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Cowboy Brewers

« on: May 14, 2013, 10:54:05 PM »

Hausotter's the closest thing I can think of

He lives in cowboy country, but that's about it! 

But he's got boots!

10

Ingredients / Re: It's SPRING!!!!

« on: May 14, 2013, 10:41:45 PM »

Dammit Ron!

11

Going Pro / Re: Fermentation Temperature Control

« on: May 14, 2013, 10:26:38 PM »

We have one at the brewery for the walk in.  It works, but I don't have anything to compare it to, I haven't tried it without it.

12

Homebrew Clubs / Re: Problem with club growth in VA

« on: May 14, 2013, 12:55:40 PM »

It sure seems like the ABC rep is wrong from the highlighted quote below.  Maybe try contacting someone else for clarification - someone above him at ABC or one of your state legislators.
 

s 4.1-200 Exemptions from licensure.

The licensure requirements of this chapter shall not apply to:
 
6. Any person who manufactures at his residence or at a gourmet brewing shop for domestic consumption at his residence, but not to be sold, dispensed or given away, except as hereinafter provided, wine or beer or both, in an amount not to exceed the limits permitted by federal law.

Any person who manufactures beer in accordance with this subdivision may remove from his residence an amount not to exceed fifteen gallons of such beer on any one occasion for (i) personal or family use, provided such use does not violate the provisions of this title or Board regulations; (ii) giving to any person to whom beer may be lawfully sold an amount not to exceed seventy-two ounces per person per year, provided such gift is for noncommercial purposes; or (iii) giving to any person to whom beer may lawfully be sold a sample of such beer, not to exceed two ounces by volume for on-premises consumption at events organized for judging or exhibiting such beer, including events held on the premises of a retail licensee. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to authorize the sale of such beer.

Wow, that is stunning.  While mort is right that the ABC rep is always "right", this one clearly either doesn't know the relevant law or has read it and is an idiot.  Anyone shut down by the ABC for this would win in court, but at the cost of lost business and lawyers fees, so it's obviously not worth it.

Although there is some curious wording from the OP - "The Virginia ABC has told them it would affect their current ABC license."  Affect how?  I read it first to mean it is illegal, but since it is clearly not maybe they meant something else.

13

Homebrew Competitions / Re: East West Rivalry?

« on: May 14, 2013, 12:47:45 PM »

My entry was the worst score of both clubs.

You didn't need to tell us that!

14

The Pub / Re: NTSB Recommends 0.05% BAC Limit

« on: May 14, 2013, 12:43:34 PM »

I could support this if it came with other changes to the laws.

1.  Open containers are legal.  Is drinking a beer more distracting than a soda?  Is having a bunch of drunk guys drinking in the car less distracting than having a bunch of drunk guys drinking in the car while you make your way to the next place?  I'd even support a tiered limit, lower if there is an open container.
2.  Rezone to allow more bars near houses.  The closest brewery to my house is about nine miles away.  The nearest pub is over four miles.  The nearest place to buy packaged beer is the grocery store over a mile away.  If there was a bar in my neighborhood we would hang out there, now we just rotate houses between about five families.  I miss living in the city

We also need to invest money in things like google's self-driving car, with no requirement that the person in the car be in control.  I would totally let that thing drive me everywhere even if I wasn't drinking.  I could nap, read, talk on the phone, whatever.  I would pay for that.  If the self-driving car isn't safe enough, set it up like a drone where someone somewhere else could take control if needed or the whole time if required.  It would be cheaper than a cab because it is your car, and you could charge $0.50 per minute to have someone remotely do the driving.  GPS mapping so you don't need to tell the person where you are going, you type in a destination and wait for someone to log on and drive you there.  When they are done they park and switch to the next car so they can keep getting paid.  Damn, I really want that.  I don't mind driving in general, but sometimes it feels like a complete waste of time.

15

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Beginner's question

« on: May 13, 2013, 07:16:15 PM »

I live in the udistrict/wallingford area. I did a little online searching but didn't really find much in return, any other places you might know would be great!

Bob's is just north of U Village.  He's a good guy and has a decent selection, plenty to get you started.
http://bobshomebrew.com/