Topics

46

Other Fermentables / Sauerkraut

« on: September 15, 2011, 12:46:28 pm »

I've been thinking about making some sauerkraut.  Have watched a lot of videos online, and wondered I could ferment it in a brewing bucket?  Closed completely with an airlock?  Anyone make sauerkraut?

47

All Grain Brewing / Off flavors in 5g of 10g gallon batch. First 5 is fine...

« on: August 24, 2011, 02:23:38 pm »

So I brewed up 10 gallons of a Honey IIPA, based off of a recipe online.  Brew day went good, no problems.  Pitched the yeast,  2 pkgs for each 5 gallons.  4 total packs of US-05.  Fermentation started in decent time.  Fermentation temps were kept low, 68 or lower.  However, one of the carboys still showed active fermenation for over two weeks.  I dry hopped five gallons that hit terminal gravity, for a week.  The first five gallons was kegged last week, after the dry hop, tastes amazing.  Now flash forward to today, I take a sample of the other five gallons theres a noticeable clovey taste to it.  Not overpowering, but not the same beer I had originally sampled, before I dry hopped the other one.  I'm very sensitive to cloves, I really can't stand the flavor, so if it's in there, I'll probably notice it.   And don't get me wrong, it's not terrible or undrinkable...just not the same beer as the other was, at this stage in the brewing process.  What could have happened??

1.  Fermenter B was not quite sanitized properly?
2.  I mixed all 4 pkgs of yeast and rehydrated them together.  Maybe I poured more yeast into Fermenter A than Fermenter B,   A went off fine but B was stressed creating some undesirable flavors?  I was using a graduated measuring cup, 12 oz total water for yeast, I assumed I poured 6oz of rehydrated yeast into both fermenters...


Type: All Grain
 Date: 7/22/2011
Batch Size: 10.50 gal
 Brewer: LiquidBrewing
Boil Size: 15.00 gal Asst Brewer:  
Boil Time: 60 min  Equipment: My Junk 17.5 Gallon Cooler/ 15.5 Sanke Boil Keggle  
Taste Rating(out of 50): 35.0  Brewhouse Efficiency: 78.00
Taste Notes:  
  
Ingredients
 
Amount Item Type % or IBU
30.00 lb Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) Grain 83.33 %
1.00 lb Cara-Pils/Dextrine (2.0 SRM) Grain 2.78 %
0.50 lb Caramel/Crystal Malt - 40L (40.0 SRM) Grain 1.39 %
2.00 oz Simcoe [13.00 %] (60 min) Hops 39.2 IBU
2.50 oz Columbus (Tomahawk) [14.00 %] (60 min) Hops 52.8 IBU
2.00 oz Chinook [13.00 %] (45 min) Hops 36.0 IBU
2.00 oz Centennial [10.00 %] (30 min) Hops 23.2 IBU
2.00 oz Citra [12.00 %] (15 min) Hops 18.0 IBU
2.00 oz Amarillo Gold [8.50 %] (10 min) Hops 9.3 IBU
4.00 oz Amarillo Gold [8.50 %] (0 min) Hops -  
4.00 oz Simcoe [13.00 %] (0 min) Hops -  
0.21 tsp Fermcap -use 2-3 drops (Boil 60.0 min) Misc  
2.10 items Whirlfloc Tablet (Boil 15.0 min) Misc  
2.10 tsp Yeast Nutrient (Primary 3.0 days) Misc  
4.50 lb Honey (1.0 SRM) Sugar 12.50 %
4 Pkgs SafBrew - US 05 (Fermentis) Yeast-Ale  

 
  
Beer Profile
 
Est Original Gravity: 1.099 SG
 
Measured Original Gravity: 1.085 SG

Est Final Gravity: 1.028 SG Measured Final Gravity: 1.013 SG

Estimated Alcohol by Vol: 9.40 %  Actual Alcohol by Vol: 9.43 %

 
  

48

General Homebrew Discussion / Brewed Longer? What does that even mean?

« on: July 22, 2011, 04:46:57 am »

So, I saw a commercial for Bud Select 55.  This beer claims to be "Brewed Longer"!  What does that even mean?  Is the whole mainstream commercial advertising campaign world taking crazy pills??   At what point does false advertising becoming lying?  They are in affect providing false information.  I can't imagine that they brew this beer for any length of time, longer than any other mainstream beer, to achieve it's 2.4%, blondish watery color, carbonated pee tasting beverage.

Sorry, I'm just ranting!  Had our club meeting last night and woke up at 4am thinking about my next brew, among other things.  Then this pops into my head.  I hate to waste everyone's time by talking about Budweiser, but we need to "Keep our enemies close", as the saying goes!

49

Equipment and Software / Serving fridge is freezing beer in keg

« on: July 18, 2011, 01:01:30 pm »

So I just started having this problem about 4-5 weeks ago.  I went to pour a beer and it acted like it blew.  So I reach inside to pull the "empty" keg out and low and behold, there's still at least a gallon or more in it, judging by the weight.  Turns out it was frozen.  Flash forward to yesterday, it does the same thing on a newer IPA.  It's only the keg in the back left hand corner that's freezing.  So I've tried to dial up the temp a little bit, but then that throws my regulator off, since things are a couple degrees warmer.  Anyone ever heard of anything like this??  Any suggestions?

I've only had the two kegs freeze, but they were both in the same position, back left hand corner of the serving fridge.  I haven't really messed with the thermostat very much, and I've been homebrewing for almost two years and have always used this as the serving fridge without this issue.  I have had four kegs in there consistently for over a year as well...weird

50

Kegging and Bottling / Gas In Post leaking

« on: June 16, 2011, 03:43:01 pm »

So I kegged my yummy stout, 10 gallons, two five gallon kegs a couple weeks ago and put one on the gas last week.  Today I was curious, so I checked the other one, yep, no pressure!!  I noticed the poppit on the gas in post doesn't seat correctly when not under pressure.

Is this letting oxygen in, since the co2 was let out?  Or should the beer be fine when I get a chance to gas it fully??

51

Commercial Beer Reviews / Dogfish Head - Hellhound

« on: June 02, 2011, 06:31:46 am »

Picked one these up yesterday, me and the wife split it last night.  Lemons???  Honestly I didn't get any of the lemony flavor all the reviews I read described.  I love lemons, so I was excited about trying this beer.  Not a let down though, it was a great beer.  Almost middle of the road between the 60 and the 90.  I know they make a 75 min, but have never had the pleasure to try it.  Maybe this is like an 80 min IPA .

Very hop forward, lots of citrusy notes and flavors, but not overshadowing the malt flavor.  Very good.

52

Beer Recipes / Amber Ale - How's it look?

« on: May 27, 2011, 11:49:18 am »

I'm looking at brewing this for an American Amber Ale.  Basically I have all these ingredients.  My friend requested an amber and I'm a huge IPA and Stout fan, so I need to cut my teeth on some other styles.   Any thoughts?


8.00 lb Pilsner (2 Row) Ger (2.0 SRM) Grain 70.18 %
1.00 lb Caramel/Crystal Malt - 40L (40.0 SRM) Grain 8.77 %
1.00 lb Munich Malt - 10L (10.0 SRM) Grain 8.77 %
1.00 lb Oats, Flaked (1.0 SRM) Grain 8.77 %
0.25 lb Cara-Pils/Dextrine (2.0 SRM) Grain 2.19 %
0.15 lb Chocolate Malt (350.0 SRM) Grain 1.32 %
1.00 oz Styrian Goldings [5.40 %] (60 min) Hops 21.8 IBU
0.75 oz Cascade [5.50 %] (30 min) Hops 12.8 IBU
0.50 oz Styrian Goldings [5.40 %] (5 min) Hops 2.2 IBU
0.50 oz Cascade [5.50 %] (1 min) Hops 0.5 IBU

1 Pkgs Nottingham (Danstar #-) Yeast-Ale 

    Probably mash low, 150-152.  Boil for 90 mins (so no DMS, right?) add hops starting at 60 min.  I prefer dryer beers and more fermentable wort.

 

53

Equipment and Software / 7.5 Gal Sanke kegs

« on: May 21, 2011, 11:39:24 am »

Hey all!!  I have currently been fermenting my 10+ gallon batches in a 15.5 gallon keg and I love it.  I have been trying to find a source for buying 7.5 gallon kegs for 5 gallon batches.  Anyone know of any place that would sell used ones??  The tall ones not the short 1/4 barrels.  I'd like to get it legit, but the 7.5 gallon keg of Two Hearted they have at my local liquor store is looking mighty tempting!  $100.00 for a new fermenter and it comes with my favorite beer!!  

Dilemma

54

Ingredients / White Wheat Malt - Mill it?

« on: April 28, 2011, 12:37:58 pm »

So, I don't drink wheat beers.  I've got a really good friend who likes wheat beers and has financed several of my brewing expenses.  So I'm making him a wheat beer.  First off, do I need to mill it?  Also, I've got some spare rice hulls lying around, should I through them into the mash so my runoff  doesn't get stuck?  My system sticks real bad with oats, is wheat different?

55

Equipment and Software / Storing fermenters and kegs in sanitizer (starsan) Should you?

« on: April 13, 2011, 10:47:36 am »

So after reading a few posts, forgot which forum it was,  I wondered something.  I always store my empty kegs under pressure with a little Starsan solution in them.  My empty fermenters as well.  (I have glass and plastic carboys, better bottles)

Some people say you shouldn't store anything in sanitizer.  Is this true?  They say it breaks down the material.  Well my Starsan arrived at my house, full strength, in a plastic bottle, is it not ok to dillute it and leave it in a fermenter/keg (glass, plastic, Stainless steel)?? 

Or am I just finding something else to obsess over?!!

56

Beer Recipes / DFH 90 Minute Clone

« on: April 11, 2011, 09:55:09 am »

Anyone brewed the DFH 90 Minute Clone recipe from Brew Your Own a while back?  I was just curious, because they only list 3.15 oz of hops in the kettle.  Does the continuous addition give you more perceived bitterness?  I guess the only way to find out is to brew it!

This is from BYO magazine about the 90 minute clone, was apparently done with help from DogFish

5 gal
OG 1.088 FG 1.021
IBU 90 SRM 13 ABV 8.7%

16.5 lbs Pilsner Malt
1.66 amber malt

2.00 oz Amarillo 8% AA 90 - 0 minutes
.62 oz Simcoe 10% AA 90 - 0 minutes
.53 oz Warrior 15% AA 90 - 0 minutes
1.00 oz Amarillo Dry
.50 oz Simcoe Dry
.50 oz Warrior Dry

Irish moss
Wyeast 1099 (Whitbread)

Mash @ 122F then raise to 149F until conversion is complete.
Boil wort for 105 Minutes
With 90 minutes left to the boil slowely and evenly start adding hops. (Works out to .25 oz every 7.5 minutes)

57

All Grain Brewing / When is your beer ready? Poll

« on: April 11, 2011, 06:23:19 am »

So, I'm posing this question, because I basically want some input from other brewers.  When is your beer ready?  Does it vary from recipe to recipe?  Do you drink it when it tastes good, or do you follow a certain routine regardless of what style it is?

I've got a really good IPA that tastes the best 3 weeks after brewing.  One week primary, followed by a week dry hop, keg it two weeks from brewing.  Carb for a week and it's great.  The flavor fades after the first couple weeks in the keg.  I brewed a Porter recently and it was ready in less than three weeks.  Granted, my beer is not clear, since I only crash cool for a couple days before kegging, but I'm not concerned with a crystal clear beer.  I think the haziness is indicative to the fact that it is home brewed and unfiltered.

I know some local brewers who let their beer condition for up to two months for an IPA and they keg as well.     I guess it's up to each brewer to perceive when his/her beer is ready for his/her taste and the style.

Any thoughts?

58

Ingredients / Simcoe Hop /Shortage? When is 2011 Crop due?

« on: April 07, 2011, 06:08:09 am »

So, it took some digging but I finally found some Simcoe hops for my upcoming 90 Minute clone.  Not too happy about the price, about $30.00/lb.

When is the 2011, or would it be 2010 crop due?  Anyone know? 

59

All Grain Brewing / Scaling Down an Imperial Stout

« on: April 06, 2011, 06:15:53 am »

So a few months ago I brewed, IMO, a fantastic Imperial Oatmeal Stout.  It ended up being 8.4%.  Now, I'd like to scale it to a 6% beer, it was so freakin good, I just wanted to keep drinking it, but my wife probably wouldn't like that!!  My question is, do I need to scale the hops or anything else, besides the base malt, down so it doesn't get overpowering?  Or would just scaling the base malt down make it even more flavorful?


Imperial Oatmeal Stout  (5.5 gal)

0.25 lb Rice Hulls (0.0 SRM) Adjunct 1.47 %
11.20 lb Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) Grain 66.08 %
2.00 lb Barley, Flaked (1.7 SRM) Grain 11.80 %
1.00 lb Oats, Flaked (1.0 SRM) Grain 5.90 %
1.00 lb Roasted Barley (300.0 SRM) Grain 5.90 %
1.00 lb Special Roast (50.0 SRM) Grain 5.90 %
0.50 lb Chocolate Malt (350.0 SRM) Grain 2.95 %

3.28 oz Styrian Goldings [5.40 %] (60 min) Hops 53.9 IBU
1.50 oz Chinook [13.00 %] (10 min) Hops 21.5 IBU

0.11 tsp Fermcap -use 2-3 drops (Boil 60.0 min) Misc 
1.10 tbsp PH 5.2 Stabilizer (Mash 60.0 min) Misc 
1.10 items Whirlfloc Tablet (Boil 15.0 min) Misc 
1.10 tsp Yeast Nutrient (Primary 3.0 days) Misc 

1 Pkgs SafBrew - US 05 (Fermentis)

OG 1.082
FG 1.018
ABV 8.38%
 

60

Commercial Beer Reviews / Bells' Hopslam Ale

« on: January 21, 2011, 06:54:13 am »

Well it's that time of year again.  Time for some Hopslam!  While I'm not to keen on paying $20.00 for a sixer here in Panama City, FL, it is a great beer.  Very reminiscent of Pliny, according to a rep at Bell's they use almost the exact same hops, but slightly less bitter and with a little slickness from the honey.  I swear I tasted more honey in it last year, but my wife says I'm crazy!

All in all a great beer and if you can find it, it's definitely worth the money.  Also do not age this beer!  Drink it while you got it.  I can't wait to get home from work today and start the weekend with a couple HopSlams!