Messages

1111

The Pub / Re: Flying w/beer in checked-in luggage

« on: June 15, 2012, 06:45:34 AM »

I check beer in my suitcase on almost every domestic trip and never have a problem. I've only ever heard of people having problems coming back from Napa, where flying back with wine is common and the airlines want you to use an approved container - and they are on the lookout there, unlike most airports.

1112

Ingredients / Re: Tips on aging hops

« on: June 15, 2012, 06:35:36 AM »

I'd keep them in a freezer until you have enough and you're ready to use them, then put them all in a paper bag and store at room temp for a few weeks. I have no idea about pellets, I'm sure they can work, but they may need more aging time.

1113

Ingredients / Re: African Beer

« on: June 15, 2012, 06:29:36 AM »

Tej is an Ethiopian drink made with honey and gesho wood. There are a few breweries that have turned it into a more beer-like version. I believe the gesho wood provides some bitterness.

1114

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: St. Loius: Home brew illegal at festival

« on: June 12, 2012, 11:16:26 AM »

They say because it's being donated, and the PAC is a tax exempt organization.

I don't think being tax exempt exempts them from alcohol taxes anyway, just income taxes. I'd agree their new position is pretty dubious since they are now selling unlicensed beer. It is hard to believe that idea came from the liquor board.

1115

Equipment and Software / Re: recirculating boil kettle during immersion chilling

« on: June 12, 2012, 06:20:17 AM »

Can someone post a picture?  I'm just not getting the idea of using both an immersion chiller and pumping the wort somewhere.  Maybe it's because my set up consists of a pot and I have no experience/idea about pumps and where the wort is being pumped from/to.
Thanks

You're just pumping the wort out through the valve, through the pump, and back into the top of the kettle. It keeps the wort moving which avoids temperature gradients near the chiller.

1116

Equipment and Software / Re: recirculating boil kettle during immersion chilling

« on: June 11, 2012, 01:15:19 PM »

How do you recirculate your boil kettle?
I bought a 120 ft garden hose for brewing this year. My plan is to try coiling 50ft of it in a baby pool filled with ice water just ahead of my chiller.

That requires transfering heat twice. It would be better to buy a submersible pump and pump the ice water directly through the chiller.

1117

Equipment and Software / Re: recirculating boil kettle during immersion chilling

« on: June 08, 2012, 05:29:47 AM »

There was an article about this in one of the brewing magazines (maybe zymurgy, or maybe byo?) a few years ago. It sounded like a great idea.  The setup in the article had returns that were angled to create a whirlpool while recirculating for the old two birds / one stone thing.

1118

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: UPS returned my box of NHC beer

« on: June 07, 2012, 05:31:23 AM »

Why not just call it soda? Do they actually open the bottles?

I thought of that - they can't open the bottles and would have to take your word for it. However, the beer competition entry sheets and bottle labels would probably give it away.

1119

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: UPS returned my box of NHC beer

« on: June 06, 2012, 06:10:59 PM »

Damn, that sucks. It's probably a fluke since thousands of homebrew beer shipments must be shipped each year using UPS and Fedex and we rarely hear of shipments being returned. Still, that doesn't help you. Send it again via Fedex and make sure there are no reasons to inspect the box (clicking bottles, markings on the box, etc).

1120

Events / Re: Battle of the Brews online registration closing

« on: May 31, 2012, 05:31:04 AM »

Ooops, wrong forum folder...

1121

Events / Battle of the Brews online registration closing

« on: May 31, 2012, 05:30:30 AM »

Online registration for the Delaware Battle of the Brews is closing tonight!
 
Rules and entry requirements -
http://www.battleofthebrews.webs.com/
 
Registration site -
http://www.delawarestatefair.com/competitive-exhibits/

1122

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Senate approves bill to allow USPS to ship alcohol

« on: May 29, 2012, 06:17:32 AM »

AFAIK, we have a state law prohibiting the mailing of beer, so nothing changes here.

Not having read the full text of either this bill or the OR law, why wouldn't the federal law trump state law?

Local laws are almost always allowed to be more restrictive, but not less restrictive. Hence dry towns and counties.

1123

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Hard apple cider

« on: May 29, 2012, 06:14:14 AM »

Due to the nature of the sugars and the yeast ciders tend to ferment nearly all the way out so "stunning" the yeast with [ur=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_metabisulfitel]potassium metabisulfite  and I believe you can also use campden tabs- 1 per 5 gallons. Then you can add more sugars to "backsweeten" the cider.

Or you could use sugars that the yeast can;t ferment- maybe lactose? I've used splenda to lightly sweeten up a cider before and didn;t get any "synthetic" flavors.

Campden tabs are sulfites, so don't use both. And for best yeast control you'd need potassium sorbate too. Sulfites won't do it alone.
 
I've used splenda. It does sweeten, but doesn't add any mouthfeel, which I miss. Good for bottle conditioning though. I've tried some maltodextrin and found that it retained mouthfeel over time, but the sweetness fades over a few months. Don't use aspertame (nutrasweet or equal) as it hydrolyzes and stops tasting sweet within a few weeks. Haven't tried lactose.

1124

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: dogfish tv show

« on: May 29, 2012, 06:07:24 AM »

I think the iTunes version has the 6th episode - they go to Italy in it.

1125

Homebrew Clubs / BrewingTV at homebrew club

« on: May 27, 2012, 08:32:46 AM »

BrewingTV came to our homebrew club meeting a few weeks ago and put together this short video about us.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBEylO3Og6c