Messages

16

Classifieds / Starter Kit Groupon Deal - until 3/27/2011

« on: March 25, 2011, 05:47:40 AM »

Midwest is offering a starter kit through Groupon for a half off until march 27.

If you are interested see:
http://www.groupon.com/deals/midwest-hydro-cincinnati-1?c=dnb&p=1

I have no affiliation with Groupon or Midwest Homebrewing.

Scott

17

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Legality of brewing eisbier

« on: March 14, 2011, 01:38:29 PM »

What would happen if you "accidentally" left it outside on a freezing night?

In the worst case you would lose your Brewers License and you would be out of business.

Actually the worst case is worse than that.  You could go to jail.  It is a federal offense.

My limited understanding is that freezing to concentrate ethanol is considered distilling.  My information comes from a book about making hard apple cider.  They clearly explained that distilling and freezing to concentrate the ethanol is illegal.  I have not reviewed the actual law though. 

If you are serious about doing this I would consul an attorney.  Do not rely upon what someone else is doing.  Also, asking a government agency about whether it is illegal or not is in most cases not good enough.  If the person who spoke to you is mistaken, that will not protect you from violating the law. 

18

Extract/Partial Mash Brewing / Re: What is the next step to improve my beer?

« on: February 13, 2011, 05:54:52 AM »

Thanks everyone. 

Looks like my next step is a Son of Fermentation Chiller or a Water Fermentation Chiller.  I'll also start making some starters because that does not look that difficult.

Scott

19

Extract/Partial Mash Brewing / What is the next step to improve my beer?

« on: February 12, 2011, 06:55:53 PM »

I'm a fairly new partial-boil extract brewer and would like to figure out the next step in improving the quality of my beer.  I am thinking about:
- making starters
- wort chillers
- fermentation temperature control
- full boils

What will likely give me the most improvement? Or is there something else that will improve the quality?  I am shying away from full boils because I cannot do them in my kitchen and don't care too much about hop efficiency.  There is not anything I can point to that I do not like about my beer, but that is probably because I'm just starting.

Scott