301
Equipment and Software / Re: Cleaning immersion chillers
« on: September 06, 2010, 10:10:26 AM »Soak it in PBW then rinse.
+1 to this method. easy and effective
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+1 to this method. easy and effective
302
Commercial Beer Reviews / Re: Harvestmoon
« on: September 02, 2010, 07:19:18 PM »
I bought a six pack last year and was not impressed. When I saw it on the store shelf I thought "hmm, should I get some?" "Nope" was the reply. There are definitely better and more interesting beers to buy. If you like Dogfish Head beers give the Punkin Ale a try if you can find it. It think it is quite good!
303
General Homebrew Discussion / Re: How fast is too fast to move to all grain?
« on: September 02, 2010, 07:14:45 PM »
I have also heard that a chest freezer works better with a temp controller (more energy efficient?). I have a 15cf chest freezer with a Johnson controller and it works great for fermenting and serving. A fridge doesn't have as much space as a chest freezer so that would also be a deciding factor.
Happy Brewing,
Brandon
Happy Brewing,
Brandon
304
Yeast and Fermentation / Re: California Lager Yeast not working?
« on: August 31, 2010, 05:11:47 AM »
It sounds to me like you have a long lag tme. Wait one more day. If it isn't active then pitch your other yeast. When making lagers I always make a starter with the Wyeast smackpacks (or any liquid yeast). A starter helps ensure they yeast from the pack is in good shape as well as getting the fermentation going quickly.
Happy Brewing,
Brandon
Happy Brewing,
Brandon
305
Yeast and Fermentation / Re: Lager Starters at Lager Temps?
« on: August 30, 2010, 07:09:36 PM »Not until I'm getting ready to pitch. I normally put my yeast in whatever environment I'll use for fermentation the morning of my brew day.
I do all starters at room temperature, but I also pour off the spent starter wort and just pitch the yeast. I like to make sure the starter is at the same temperature or slightly colder than the wort in the fermenter since a slight increase in temps will shock the yeast less than a slight decrease.
It's mostly a convenience thing for me; I don't want to set up a stir plate in my fridge.
+1 to this method. I like to do this as well.
Brandon
306
General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Big Mistake?
« on: August 30, 2010, 06:12:14 AM »
Definitely get a new bucket. It's just not worth the risk of contaminating a batch of beer. Like others have said, the smelly bucket can be used for other purposes so no sense in throwing it out.
Brandon
Brandon
307
All Grain Brewing / Re: Necessary to Sparge with a HERMS system?
« on: August 30, 2010, 06:08:02 AM »
I would say it would still be necessary to sparge. HERMS will allow you to adjust the temp of the mash by recirculating. Sparging will rinse as much of the wort out of the grain as possible/necessary to achieve your preboil gravity and volume.
Happy Brewing,
Brandon
Happy Brewing,
Brandon
308
Extract/Partial Mash Brewing / Re: Gound coffee beans in 5 gallon porter recipe
« on: August 29, 2010, 04:23:29 PM »How much coffee would be appropriate to add to a 5 gallon porter partial mash recipe? Also, should it be placed in the mash, or added to the boil?
When I make a coffee porter I make a coffee concentrate with 1/4 pound coffee and 1 quart of cold water. I put the coffee & water mixture into the fridge for 3 or 4 days then filter it through some cheese cloth. I add the coffee concentrate at bottling time. By making a cold coffee concentrate you prevent any bitterness from the coffee from affecting the beer flavor. If I were to choose between the mash or the boil... I would choose the last minute or two of the boil in a grain bag.
309
Ingredients / Re: Long Cascade hops
« on: August 25, 2010, 05:57:48 PM »
Wow, that is amazing!! I'm still waiting for my cascade to be ready for picking. I've never seen any that long.
310
The Pub / Re: scotch
« on: August 24, 2010, 04:06:59 PM »
Definitely drink it. Make sure you have a good cigar to go with it. Where do you live so I can come over and help you enjoy it. 
Enjoy,
Brandon
Enjoy,
Brandon
311
General Homebrew Discussion / Re: The Dreaded O Word
« on: August 23, 2010, 06:33:54 PM »
I agree that shelving is definitely a good idea. When we moved into our house there was a shelf in the basement with each shelf tilted slightly toward the back. I am able to fit my carboys on it 3 per shelf. Unfortunately, I am not able to fit the 6.5 gal carboys as the shelves are not spaced far enough apart. We also have another shelf with some tupperware containers for storing bungs, airlocks, chemicals, etc. I stack the corny kegs in a corner of our brewing room. Items that I use often for brewing I keep in a bucket that I can just grab and take up to the garage when I am going to brew.
Good Luck,
Brandon
Good Luck,
Brandon
312
The Pub / Re: What's your favorite part of being a homebrewer?
« on: August 23, 2010, 06:11:27 PM »wingnut made a comment here that got me thinking.
http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/forum/index.php?topic=3341.msg37896#msg37896
He said "In my opinion, drinking the beer is only half the fun!"
I think that's too high for me, I'm thinking more like 25%. Another 25% is the gadgets and equipment, 25% for actually making the beer, and 50% for sharing the beer with others while talking about beer and beer making.
What is that, 125%? Oh yeah, -25% for cleaning everything. There 100%.
Anyone else?
+1 I totally agree with this. Plus, creating recipes is actually as enjoyable as making the beer.
313
All Grain Brewing / Re: Recipe scaling
« on: August 23, 2010, 04:47:45 PM »
I agree with the others. When I do a 10 gallon batch I simply double the ingredients.
Happy Brewing,
Brandon
Happy Brewing,
Brandon
314
General Homebrew Discussion / Re: What's Brewing This Weekend - 8/20 Edition
« on: August 20, 2010, 05:10:49 PM »
Will be brewing 10 gal. of an Octoberfest. A friend is coming over to help and he will be getting half the batch when it is done. I just kegged my Imperial IPA so it should be ready to drink in a few days.
315
General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Your Homebrew Name
« on: August 15, 2010, 10:22:13 PM »
Opal Brewing & Winery
Our kitten, Opal, is always hanging around when we are doing brewing and vintning stuff. So we took her picture and put it on our refreshments. I think that Opal being part orange point siamese has something to do with her curiousity.
Happy Brewing,
Brandon
Our kitten, Opal, is always hanging around when we are doing brewing and vintning stuff. So we took her picture and put it on our refreshments. I think that Opal being part orange point siamese has something to do with her curiousity.
Happy Brewing,
Brandon