Messages

1

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Added yeast at bottling/Now Diacetyl present

« on: January 24, 2013, 03:35:25 PM »

I tried another bottle last night and the D flavor is lessening, much more subtle, so I think another week or two of conditioning will do the trick.  I can actually taste the malt and hops now that it's subsiding.
Thanks for all the advice/comments, much appreciated!

2

Kegging and Bottling / Added yeast at bottling/Now Diacetyl present

« on: January 20, 2013, 03:30:43 PM »

Hello All,
I bottled a BoPils a week ago and was concerned about yeast health after lagering, so I added 3 grams re-hydrated Saf lager 23.  Before bottling I didnt taste any diacetyl, now one week in, I tried a bottle to check carbonation and got a good taste of Dia.  Bottles are at room temps of around 64 to 68.
I know it's still early, but will the Diacetyl condition out in the next week or so?  Did I use too much yeast?
This is a real bummer as I hate diacetyl, especially in a pilsner.  Thanks for any reponses.

3

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: What were your gateway beers?

« on: January 11, 2013, 04:07:50 PM »

Growing up in Detroit, naturally I started with Stroh's and also had Miller and Bud, Goebbels, Old Milwaulke.
On a whim, I decided to look at imported beer's and noticed an import from Austria called Gosser that changed my life!  It was a Dark/Dunkel style with so much flavor I couldnt believe it.  This was the late seventies when homebrewing was declared legal so I tried my hand at cloning that beer, but with little resources for homebrewing as compared to today, needless to say it was not too good.  Dunkel is still my favorite style!

4

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Chilling wort in the winter

« on: December 24, 2012, 03:58:37 PM »

I look forward to chilling in the winter as it takes way less time to cool and uses less water. 
I keep my hose in the basement so it is flexible when I put it outside.  Also, if you have snow, try burying the hose in the snow for added chilling and also put your kettle in a snow pile if possible, I brew 5 gal. so it isnt too heavy to move/carry! I use a dolly also.  If you dont have snow, even the cold ambient temps will speed up the cooling.  Dont know if this helps, just the way I do it.

5

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: What's Brewing This Weekend - 11/30 Edition

« on: November 28, 2012, 03:46:21 PM »

BoPILs Baby!  Pilsener Urquell Style.  Working up to a Gal. Starter right now, hope to brew Friday. 
The older I get, the more I appreciate the lighter, lower gravity beers where I can drink a few and not get too sauced!

6

Ingredients / Re: Sanitizing Homegrown Hops

« on: August 18, 2012, 02:45:41 PM »

Denny, I do the same thing when I want a substitute for three year old hops for my Belgiums, Ha Ha
I prefer pellet hops for dry hopping as they are easier to add to carboys than leaf and they dissolve/soak in faster than leaf.

7

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: Robust Porter/Final gravity advice

« on: August 17, 2012, 02:47:57 PM »

Here's the grain bill: 9.5 Lbs Pale, 1 Lb Munich, 1/2# Caramuncih, 1/2# Crystal40, 1/2#Carapils, 3/4#Chocolate, and some Carafa II and Roasted Barley...
I tasted the beer when I took the gravity readings and didnt taste to sweet at all...
Thanks for the feedback!

8

Yeast and Fermentation / Robust Porter/Final gravity advice

« on: August 16, 2012, 02:32:48 PM »

Hello All,
Need advice on final gravity with my first attempt at a robust porter and higher mash temps.  I mashed at a higher temp. for more body at around 155-156.  It's been almost two weeks in the primary and the gravity has leveled off at around 1.022 for the past week.  The starting gravity was 1.061.  Just wondering if I can expect any more lowering of the gravity or is this normal for higher mashes due to the unfermentable dextrins?  I started with a cool fermentation and have slowly warmed it up to 70 degrees in the hopes the gravity will get lower.
Thanks All!
Tom

9

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: 5.2 PH Mash Stabilizer??

« on: July 23, 2012, 02:50:58 PM »

I guess I'm the contrarian here, as I have used 5.2 with great results, even won medals with it!  I dont get any off flavors either.  I dont check my mash ph, but do adjust my water accordingly for the beer style.
My 2 cents worth.

10

Ingredients / Re: I think my hops are drowning

« on: June 09, 2012, 02:33:28 PM »

Your lucky to get hops to grow in Florida!  They prefer cooler regions around the 45th pararell. 
I think with all the rain, the rain has washed out all the nutrients and like everybody else has suggested, add some compost/fertilizer.  How much sun do they get?  The leaves look a little sparse, not as bountiful as a healthy plant.

11

Kegging and Bottling / Over Carbonation/Forced Carbonation can cause or enhance off flavors?

« on: June 07, 2012, 03:06:12 PM »

Hey Gang,
I was force carbing a beer and I believe it got over carbonated.  I tasted a sample and it had some wierd off flavor and I thought maybe the carbonation was affecting my taste buds.  Last night, I bled the keg and turned down the psi to serving psi.  Today I tasted a sample and it tasted fine.
Can overcarbonation/too much CO2 cause temporary off flavors?  Man, I was worried there for awhile that some infection had taken over!
Tom/Rapid City, Mi

12

Ingredients / Re: Rhizomes?

« on: April 09, 2012, 02:50:47 PM »

I live in Northern Michigan and my hops are about 3-4" high right now thanks to that early warm spell we had.  I would plant now, but use straw mulch to protect them from any freezing/frost.
I'm growing cascade, nugget and chinook, they seem to do best up here.  I tried fuggles/hallertau and other european varieties and they didnt grow to well.  Stick with domestic.

13

Equipment and Software / Advice on converting sanke to HLT

« on: March 20, 2012, 03:05:10 PM »

Hi All,
I want to convert a legally obtained sanke keg into a HLT and need advice on how to drill the holes for weldless fittings: valve, thermometer and sight guage.  What is best to drill the holes, a step bit or a regular drill bit, using a small bit to start, then the correct size to finish?  Where's the best place to get a step bit for stainless, cheap?  What are your experiences with weldless fittings?  Are they dependable?
Thanks!

14

Equipment and Software / Re: I'm buying a refractometer!!!

« on: March 13, 2012, 02:44:21 PM »

I also want to get a Refract.  Question is should I get the Brix only one or the Dual Brix and S.G. one?
Someone mentioned that the S.G. would not be accurate?  Why is that?  What is your experiences with the dual Refract?
Thanks

15

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Beer Cases! Help!

« on: March 09, 2012, 03:37:05 PM »

I bought a few of those CW Crates and love them!  My cardboard crates were tearing at the handles and duct tape can only repair them so much.  In the warmer months, you can put ice in the case to keep your beer cold for parties, etc.