Messages

1

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: Reusing 34/70 dry lager yeast

« on: August 14, 2017, 01:13:27 PM »

I have started using 34/70 for my lagers this summer and have saved the yeast and it is going on it's 4th batch. I don't see any negatives to saving it and reusing. In fact I think the fermentation has gotten stronger as the generations move forward. The first batch fermented well but the second and third batches had shorter lag times, and seemed to ferment well. The beers tasted amazing too. I only plan to use a couple more times before I start over with some new packs though.

2

The Pub / Re: Shipping Unshippables

« on: December 13, 2015, 04:30:22 PM »

Whichever method you do, don't ship more than a 12 pack. I have never had issues with shipping at or under that amount. I tried to ship a case home for my dad and it broke. They ended up just keeping the good ones and shipping them in a bag. That was UPS. But like others have said, prepay and print the shipping label.

3

Equipment and Software / Re: King Cobra

« on: October 28, 2015, 01:37:03 AM »

Sounds awesome. And I do know that feeling. I just got a new brew kettle as a wedding gift. Got it saturday and brewed on saturday. I want to brew this weekend to try it out as well. Hope the chiller works out for you.

4

Equipment and Software / Re: Kenmore Elite Freezer Conversion

« on: September 23, 2015, 01:47:22 AM »

I have the Johnson A419. Super easy to set up and has worked great for me. At first I just used it for my keezer but have now started using my keezer as my lager chamber too. I am very pleased with the product and the price is worth the ease to me. Set it to the temp you want and forget it. Can't recommend it enough.

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Commercial Beer Reviews / Re: 10 Barrel Joe IPA

« on: August 30, 2015, 05:45:32 PM »

I can't remember the name of the 10 barrel IPA i just bought, it was the blue label one though and I thought it was great. I haven't had an IPA in a while and it hit the spot. Nice resiny hop backbone and great citrus at the end. Making my IPA recipe and want to compare the two. My IPA has nice citrus/fruit at the end and want to see how it holds up to 10 barrel, which I think its a good IPA and something I will buy again.

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The Pub / Re: Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest Game

« on: August 15, 2015, 05:35:29 PM »

That was fun time waster. I made 21000 beers.

7

All Grain Brewing / Re: Stirring Mash

« on: May 09, 2015, 09:21:50 PM »

I don't see a problem stiring to get your temp down. You have to stir to mix in the grain so what is stiring a little more to bring the temp down a bit?

8

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Life span of beer in a keg vs a bottle

« on: May 03, 2015, 05:50:03 PM »

My last IPA that I kegged I noticed that the last few pours weren't as crisp tasting. The hop profile seemed to get muddled compared to earlier pours in the keg. I haven't had many beers last longer than a month or two in the keg so I don't have much experience with long storage in kegs.   

9

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Keg Carbonation

« on: May 03, 2015, 05:46:19 PM »

I go the slow route. I am new to kegging and need to make some adjustments to the pressure once the beer is carbed up. I tend to start them a little too high than back it down a few psi. I like that it clears while it carbs up and when it ready the beer is looking good.

10

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Anxiety of Kegging

« on: April 18, 2015, 01:48:41 AM »

Rule #1: The beer in the keg will always achieve the perfect balance of flavor, carbonation, and clarity about 2 or 3 pints before it blows.    RDWHAHB and build up an inventory.

I did notice that they are getting clearer. Which I like, but now that I know this bit of information I know that kegs days are numbered.

11

Kegging and Bottling / Anxiety of Kegging

« on: April 17, 2015, 02:07:11 AM »

So I just started kegging this winter and am on my second batch in the keg. The first batch was good but the second was one of the best beers I have made, a really nice IPA. I know I am getting to the end of the keg and every time I pour a beer it could be the last. I feel nervous and will miss this beer. Good thing I just bought more hops to brew it again this summer.

12

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: Liquid vs dry yeast?

« on: March 16, 2015, 11:44:42 PM »

I use dry for my APA's and IPA's. Usually S-05. It does what I want it to and it's about half the price of liquid yeast. For any beer I want yeast character in like my belgian beers or hefe's I use liquid.

13

Beer Recipes / Re: Hops to pair with trois

« on: February 14, 2015, 02:51:16 AM »

Citra, mosaic and galaxy. I just made an IPA with that combination and am going to use it in my next brett beer. The aroma and flavor from that blend is just wonderful to me. Very fruity and I feel like each hop adds something different and they pair well. I get pineapple and blueberries mostly.

14

Hop Growing / Re: 2015 Hop season

« on: February 04, 2015, 03:16:22 AM »

It's been so warm here that I am worried they are going to sprout up too soon. It's cold for a day or two then warm for 4 or 5. Last year was the first year I planted hops and they grew nice but no hops. Hoping for some this year. I just think it would be cool to see hops come in.

15

The Pub / Re: Shot Across The Bow...

« on: February 03, 2015, 03:17:09 AM »

They are scared. My brother turned 21 a year or so ago. While he still drinks the cheap stuff from time to time he drinks a lot of craft beer. He always tries my homebrew and is slowly getting into sours, mainly because my dad and I can't get enough of them. They lost the younger generation and are slowly filling the void of Budweiser with the breweries they buy.

Fun story about them buying breweries. I went home to Illinois this past summer for a wedding and was drinking with my girlfriends father. He was drinking a Goose Island 312. While the brewery is only 60 miles south of where we stood, the beer he was drinking came all the way from Colorado, 1000 miles away.