Messages

1651

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Small batches.....

« on: November 23, 2010, 07:35:17 PM »

Check out this link on small batch brewing.

http://www.byo.com/stories/techniques/article/indices/19-brewing-tips/1410-small-scale-brewing

Very nice....

1652

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Small batches.....

« on: November 23, 2010, 11:47:37 AM »

Good answers everyone, thanks.....

1653

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Lingering Cola smell...

« on: November 23, 2010, 11:30:50 AM »

I would think 5 gallons of bear would raise, see and beat a few ounces of liquid carcinogen......

But where does one get 5 gallons of bear?

In the woods.

1654

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: New Brewer / New Member

« on: November 23, 2010, 09:14:28 AM »

Good, sounds like you're on the right track. I am skipping bottling and going straight to kegs.

Cornelius kegs are stainless steel 5 gallon kegs used in the soda industry. There are two styles, Coke and Pepsi, that differ mainly in the connections on top (pin or ball). Pepsi (ball) is the home brewers favorite. This is handy so that when you go somewhere and bring your beer to share, the connections will fit.

CO2 pushes the beer out of the keg. You need a CO2 bottle and a regulator, some hose and connectors. On the liquid side you can use a short hose with a picnic tap, or you can get all fancy and put through the door taps in a refrigerator like I did.

Also, the keg can be used for conditioning the beer, or if you're really anxious to taste your brew, to force carbonate at a higher pressure.

1655

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Small batches.....

« on: November 23, 2010, 09:02:02 AM »

Got the digital scale..... but why use all the yeast? The pack I used for my first batch was for 5 gallons.... or do they come in different sizes?

1656

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: New Brewer / New Member

« on: November 23, 2010, 08:56:04 AM »

I do, as I am only a few steps ahead of you..... (looking at a five gallon batch of APA happily bubbling away as I type.....)

1 Locate the nearest home brewers supply. Go in and listen. Home brewers LOVE to talk about what they do.

2 Get one, or more, of the how to books. I read Charlie Papazian's "The Joy of Home Brewing. Palma is another standard.

3 After finding this forum, smart move, read as much as you can. Most of the answers are here.

4 Get a starter kit. Your local supply will set you up, and then an all extract beer kit......

5 Brew.

1657

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Beginner's Post, Seeking Vertan's Advice

« on: November 23, 2010, 08:26:59 AM »

Checked out our local brew shop. The proprietor is going to secure a starter kit for me so I can support our local business. She walked myself and a buddy through the whole process and informed us that she grinds grains for free and said there is in fact a club here in town.

I now have my finger on the pulse of local home brewing. I'll will be sure to keep you all updated as this story developes.

Vertan is German for a whale's vagina. ( I hope Ron Burgandy's sense of humor is welcome)

Good on you. I did the same thing. I could have saved some $$ buying off the internet, but spending my money locally is preferred. We have a booming little store here in Bethlehem (Keystone Homebrew Supply excuse the plug) and the people are very knowledgeable and very helpful. Plus, if something is amiss (like a bad thread on a tap) you run back and exchange it without two more shipping charges and another week. Plus, the yeast and hops come out of the fridge and are still cold when you put them in your fridge at home. Plus, they have tastings......yum. And they support the brew club which meets right next door, in fact, most of the people working in the store belong to the club..... and so on and so forth......

I'll order on line if I can save a LOT of money, or an item is not available....but I always try to spend my money in town first.

1658

General Homebrew Discussion / Small batches.....

« on: November 23, 2010, 08:14:40 AM »

For now I'm working off kits/recipes from allegedly reliable sources. BUT I have some ideas I want to try out. Now, trying something and finding it doesn't work and chucking it is one thing. Finding out it doesn't work and chucking FIVE GALLONS of it is another thing.

How do people do small batches? Does one simply divide the recipe by five and then ferment in a growler? What do you do with the rest of the yeast, hops that comes in quantities made for 5 gallon batches.....?

1659

The Pub / Re: Where are the experts?

« on: November 23, 2010, 06:51:27 AM »

OK found it, in the general section. Thanks.

1660

The Pub / Re: Where are the experts?

« on: November 23, 2010, 06:45:19 AM »

Yes that tells you about it and how to link your account. I am linked, but where are the questions and answers posted?

1661

The Pub / Where are the experts?

« on: November 23, 2010, 06:09:17 AM »

OK, I linked my AHA membership to this forum...... now looking for "Ask the experts" Can anyone point me in the right direction?

1662

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Brew Masters......up or down.....?

« on: November 22, 2010, 08:17:15 PM »

I don't know the man or had his beer. Sigh. Will have to try some I guess.

The sacrifices we make......

1663

The Pub / Re: Anyone Watch 'Brew Masters' Last Night?

« on: November 22, 2010, 08:15:45 PM »

I'm still using an old VHS machine....

Got one one the shelf here..... need a backup? Sitting next to an 8 track player..... (NOT making this up.....)

1664

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Lingering Cola smell...

« on: November 22, 2010, 08:12:49 PM »

I would think 5 gallons of bear would raise, see and beat a few ounces of liquid carcinogen......

1665

Kegging and Bottling / Re: CO2 question.

« on: November 22, 2010, 08:11:23 PM »

OK, some clarification.

1 I bench tested the system before installing in the fridge, taps and all, with EMTPY kegs. Powered up the CO2 then shut off the bottle with the valve. System held pressure for 49+ hours.

2 I then installed the system in the frige, with kegs full of water/sanitizer. Pressurized the whole thing, ran though my lines, and then closed the valve on the bottle. Pressure dropped to zero in a few hours. So either I have a leak, or the CO2 is getting absorbed. Since the bottles are full there is very little volume of CO2 in the head, and it can quickly and easily be absorbed, which is what I assume is happening. (Fizzy sanitizer)

3 I Disconnected and tested (as above) the two pressure lines again, no loss, and since there is no liquid dripping on the OUT section of the system, it HAS to follow that the pressure is dis appearing IN the keg.....