Messages

1

Equipment and Software / O2 regulator noise

« on: May 10, 2013, 05:08:59 pm »

Yeah, I think that sound is pressure relief. Backing it off always makes the noise stop for me.

2

Yeast and Fermentation / yeast re-use

« on: May 10, 2013, 05:02:14 pm »

Going up in gravity is just convenient, not a rule. Every time you ferment a beer, you end up with more yeast than you started with, and since higher-gravity beers require more yeast ...

3

Equipment and Software / Gas ball lock QD in downtown St. Louis?

« on: April 20, 2013, 05:55:36 pm »

I ended up blowing CO₂ through the beverage post periodically.  Worked fine if a bit cumbersome.

The beer, a rye stout, was very well received.  At one point I had a dozen information security professionals in my room drinking homebrew.  Later, we found a discreet area of the lobby to situate the keg and finish it off.

4

Equipment and Software / Gas ball lock QD in downtown St. Louis?

« on: April 17, 2013, 05:59:25 am »

Brought a keg to an event and forgot this key item. Anyone have one I can borrow today and return tomorrow?

5

All Grain Brewing / Need Some Serious Help

« on: March 25, 2013, 06:39:30 pm »

If you're like me, your tap water is your curse.  Use some of the water tools out there to bring down alkalinity and raise sulfate.

6

General Homebrew Discussion / AHA GC Election

« on: March 25, 2013, 06:35:43 pm »

No problems here ...

7

All Things Food / Moldy bleu cheese?

« on: March 25, 2013, 06:34:34 pm »

In other words, just eat it. Or if you're like me, bring it up to your lips and start gasping for air (i.e., you're allergic to mold).  In which case don't eat it.

8

General Homebrew Discussion / Ever have one of those beers.....

« on: March 16, 2013, 09:10:01 am »

I had the ball valve thing happen once, and ever since, I neurotically check the valve while filling the kettle. I'd like to change my processes so that I'm always filling the kettle *through* the ball valve to eliminate the possibility of disaster. Well, that particular disaster. I already do it that way with my mash tun.

9

All Grain Brewing / Different color from keg to carboy

« on: March 16, 2013, 08:14:34 am »

It can be surprisingly darker.  A Pilsner I brewed once was a deep red in the carboy.  Turned out the normal golden color in the glass.

10

General Homebrew Discussion / any suggestions for a nice IPA on St Pattys Day

« on: March 16, 2013, 08:11:14 am »

GREEN Flash West Coast IPA. :-)

11

General Homebrew Discussion / Oxidation Story and Question

« on: March 11, 2013, 04:23:06 am »

I think oxidation leads to diacetyl reformation as well.

I've had that happen. I also had a slow-growing house infection once that eventually produced diacetyl in every beer it touched.

12

Yeast and Fermentation / Expected lifespan of O2 canister

« on: March 11, 2013, 04:18:43 am »

Funny, for me, the red disposable bottles seem to last longer if I leave the regulator on.

13

General Homebrew Discussion / maintaining temps in freezer

« on: March 10, 2013, 08:33:09 am »

Not to feed your paranoia, but even an incandescent does give off *some* UV. That said, I use a 100-W bulb (and opaque fermentors).

14

Events / NHC 2013 Entry Problems - Possible Solutions?

« on: March 08, 2013, 07:01:00 am »

how much money would the AHA save by NOT printing out those certificates for first round beers that get some score above 20?

I've suggested before we do away with these. Maybe we're worried about discouraging people from entering next time. Oh, wait. :-)

15

Equipment and Software / Hoses....

« on: March 08, 2013, 06:51:48 am »

Use softer water, a cleanser that contains a chelator (like PBW), rinse with something like StarSan (which is a mild acid), or some combination of the above.  I use water from my Culligan softener and rinse with StarSan.