Messages

1411

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: How important is holding the same temp during ale fermentation?

« on: January 12, 2012, 01:32:28 PM »

I don't think small fluctuations are as important as what the average temp in your basement is.  62-67 is probably ideal for most. If your basement is much warmer and you want to go the chamber route, your beer will definately improve. Sounds like you already have the fridge, so it may be a no-brainer. Also make sure that you cool the wort to that temp before pitching, don't pitch in the high 70's or 80's and let it cool.

Your wife is cool. Mine said 'Let's give ourselves a kegerator for Christmas', so she is also cool.

1412

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: AHA Learn to Homebrew Day 2012

« on: January 10, 2012, 02:23:20 PM »

OK, now she changed it back to 2012. I'm done with this "in - ter - net"

1413

The Pub / Re: How to deal with an a$$hole coworker?

« on: January 10, 2012, 11:23:34 AM »

This is the problem.

1414

All Things Food / Re: drum for smoker

« on: January 10, 2012, 10:10:16 AM »

"No smoking is needed as the mahogany color simulates the color of smoke. "

You can also add black food coloring to Miller to make a stout. 

1415

Equipment and Software / Re: Thermometer

« on: January 10, 2012, 10:08:25 AM »

Reading 84 in refrigerated water is more than inaccurate. Maybe the thermometer was designed for a specific temp range?  I have an inexpensive digital probe thermometer and haven't had problems, though I only get to do boil/ice temperature checking.

1416

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: Boiling starters in a flask

« on: January 10, 2012, 10:04:24 AM »

I did move the flask to the side yesterday, about 1/2 way off, and I think that also helped. Besides less heat, it seems to help that the bubbles are all coming up one side then settling on the other - instead of rushing up on all sides of the flask.

1417

Equipment and Software / Re: Replacing O-ring on Brew Kettle Spigot

« on: January 10, 2012, 08:05:46 AM »

I think Euge is on to something. I could also be that sugars from the wort are crystalizing inside there and sealing up an tiny gaps.

1418

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: SafBrew S-33 1/2 packet

« on: January 10, 2012, 08:03:16 AM »

And since it is being used for bottle conditioning only, any viability loss you do have shouldn't be an issue.

1419

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: Boiling starters in a flask

« on: January 10, 2012, 08:01:43 AM »

The problem I had with simply reducing heat is that I have a ceramic cooktop stove and the elements cycle on/off at low settings. Even at vary low settings the flask would boil over when the element cycled on.

But I did get some Fermcap S last weekend and my starter last night boiled hard without foaming all over the place. Praise Jebus.

1420

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: I think I made motor oil

« on: January 10, 2012, 07:53:58 AM »

Coffee filters and even wire mesh strainers will clog quickly if there are a lot of suspended particles, but cold should help it settle out.

1421

Homebrew Clubs / Re: First Paris Homebrewer Meeting

« on: January 10, 2012, 06:45:34 AM »

Find me legal eork in Psris and I will tots join your club.

Hire this guy to write your newsletters.

1422

Equipment and Software / Re: Replacing O-ring on Brew Kettle Spigot

« on: January 10, 2012, 06:39:38 AM »

My O-ring is on the outside too. I remember it dripped the first time too, but never again.

The o-ring seals between the nut and kettle, but not between the nut and threads. So I think if the o-ring is on the inside, liquid can seep through the threads on the nut and escape 'under' the o-ring.

1423

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: New to brewing, a few questions

« on: January 09, 2012, 03:10:55 PM »

Transfer out of the fermenting bucket when fermentation has stopped. The best way to know this is the measure gravity with your hydrometer (should be one in the kit) and see that it stays the same for 3 days.  Less reliable, but often used methods, include airlock activity (no bubbling, but a leak can mess this up) or just wait about 2 weeks and almost any average ABV beer will be finished.

DarkSide is right - skip the "secondary" fermentation step. It's a myth, it's rarely neccessary, it usually doesn't help, it makes kittens and puppies cry. Just bottle when fermentation is complete. Secondary should really be called bulk aging. It is only needed for high alcohol beers that need time to clear or age on fruit or such, sour beers with bugs added.

1424

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: AHA Learn to Homebrew Day 2011

« on: January 09, 2012, 12:39:22 PM »

I'm not smoking crack am I? I swear this thing said 2012 earlier.

Probably not smoking crack. A bunch of the replies say Re: AHA .... 2012. I bet the edited the original after posting.

1425

The Pub / Re: What were your first and second favorite beers, chronologically?

« on: January 09, 2012, 08:48:51 AM »

I'd drink Michelob with my dad in high school. The first beers I remember having in college were red dog and killians red. But Boston lager was the usual go to. My friend kept in in his truck box during the winter (Maine) so it was like liquid nitrogen cold, which we thought was good.  After college I drank mostly corona. Then I moved to Delaware and saw something called Dogfish Head at the store.  Having studied marine biology, I bought it for the shark logo and liked it (don't remember which one). Then, knowing nothing about beer styles, I bought a case of 60 minute IPA -- trial by fire.