Topics

1

Kegging and Bottling / Kegs without gas

« on: March 04, 2014, 07:32:53 AM »

I am wondering what happens to kegged uncarbonated beer without any gas.

So I transferred a couple beers to kegs but the "kegerator" is full,
and I don't trust my regulator in the other fridge.

I transferred into purged kegs and was able to hit them with co2 to seal them up...but they are sitting in the fridge with no continuous gas for carbonation.

Is there anything I should worry about by leaving them this way until I can get another regulator and set up?

2

Hop Growing / Bine dried hops

« on: February 19, 2014, 10:03:49 AM »

I never harvest all my homegrown, and leave a bunch on the bine for winter decor.
I am always surprised at how long brown hops on the bine retain lupulin.
for example: 



Any thoughts on brewing with these old dried hops? 
I know why? might be the obvious response, and I guess I am looking for any experience that might tell me what characteristics the hop flowers might have still.  FWIW, they still have sticky excellent aroma.

Any knowledge out there?

3

All Things Food / recommend some Pots and Pans

« on: January 23, 2014, 06:45:38 AM »

Well I realize a lot of you spend some time in the kitchen.
I am in the market for a new set of pots and pans, and thought I might ask you brewers about recommendations.

I really don't have much in the way of criteria,
-maybe no teflon. 
-don't need the mega set that comes with the fondu can, but a nice assortment would be great.
-getting to the age where I can pay for quality, so I am willing to part with some coin if required.

So, if it were you...what pots and pans would you buy yourself and why?

4

The Pub / Truth in advertising?

« on: January 07, 2014, 10:11:59 PM »

Lets take craft beer labels.

One of my favorite commercial offerings is an imperial dark IPA.
The label says 9.2% abv but you would not know it by tasting it. 
Not calling them liars...it is just exceptionally well made.

But...it has me wondering what kind of controls, if any, were in place to prevent breweries from just making stuff up.

Any thoughts out there?

5

Kegging and Bottling / Keg volume indicator

« on: January 06, 2014, 12:51:54 PM »

I want one!  Has one been invented yet?

I had 3 separate kegs blow on me last night. . 
Sure, I knew 2 of them were close, but that third surprised me!

I prefer not to move the kegs near the end due to sediment...

Whatcha got?

6

Yeast and Fermentation / Must refigerate?

« on: January 01, 2014, 09:31:35 AM »

Wondering specifically about yeast cakes and starters?

-Sometimes I rack and just leave the cake...with a thin cover of beer..in the carboy for a few days before I harvest it and transfer to mason jar for the fridge.

-A few weeks ago I made a starter, got busy, and forgot about it in the back room where it still sits in the flask with "beer" on top.

I imagine that temperature is key...that room stays about 60-65 this time of year.
What do you folks think?  Am I OK with this rather laggard treatment of my yeast or am I actually harming the yeast and risking something foul? 
Is actual refrigeration critical in the above cases? 

Thanks for your thoughts.

7

All Things Food / Carnitas

« on: December 20, 2013, 09:52:07 AM »

I love carnitas, and order them wherever I go...but have yet to make them at home.

Does anyone have a favorite recipe they could share?  Any critical tips?
Thanks in advance.

Feliz Navidad...I am going to have Mexican holiday dinner.  Mmmmm, Carnitas.

8

All Things Food / The Sun choke

« on: December 03, 2013, 06:42:33 AM »

Otherwise known as Jerusalem artichoke..Helianthus tuberosus.
Anybody here eat these things? How do you like to fix them.

Someone also told me the French make beer out of them? 
Anyone know about that?

They seem dangerously prolific in my garden.

9

Other Fermentables / Kambucha anyone?

« on: November 08, 2013, 06:38:12 AM »

Are there still any kambucha brewers here?
 \Cap started a thread once, but seems he is off cooking.

My first batch reminds me of sweet vinegar.  I might let it sit a while more.
Thinking about blending some raspberries and was looking for some tips.

10

The Pub / Trick-or-treat

« on: October 31, 2013, 05:42:40 AM »

Happy Halloween Homebrewers! 

I used to love this day as a kid. 

Do kids even go house to house trick or treating anymore?

Maybe it is easier to go to the mall and load up, or have a trunk or treat at the church parkinglot.
That way you can maximize your candy, and not have to do much.
Are kids just fat and lazy now?    

11

Yeast and Fermentation / Wyeast 1217 - Private Collection - West Coast IPA

« on: October 23, 2013, 04:45:50 AM »

Has anyone tried it yet?
Wondering where it comes from and if anyone has any additional info.




Wyeast 1217-PC West Coast IPA

Available October-December

 

Beer Styles: American IPA, Imperial IPA, American Pale Ale, American brown ale, Red Ales, Scottish Ales


Profile: This strain is ideally suited to the production of west-coast style American craft beers, especially pale, IPA, red, and specialties. Thorough attenuation, temp tolerance, and good flocculation make this an easy strain to work with. Flavor is balanced neutral with mild ester formation at warmer temps, allowing hops, character malts, and flavorings to show through.

Alcohol tolerance: 10% ABV
Flocculation: Medium-high
Attenuation: 73-80%
Temperature Range: 62-74°F (17-23°C)

12

Hop Growing / Anyone seen hops like these?

« on: August 27, 2013, 10:10:20 AM »

I have a mysterious hop plant in the yard that just appeared a few years ago. 
It is a long ways away from any other hop, so I know it is not one of my known varieties.

It is very distinctive and appears the same every year:
-very long pale yellow cones
-individual cones are pendulous and hang on long distinct stems
-leaves are all very incised and deeply lobed.
-aroma of the flowers is strong and a bit dankish
-pale yellow lupulin

Nearest plants are Chinook, Cascade, Santiam, Northern Brewer, and a native neomexicanus. Also, the year before these appeared I had a male Crystal about 120 feet away.  Not sure if those are clues or not.

Here are some pictures:







I realize this is a shot in the dark, and that individual hops vary...but anyone have any ideas on other varieties that have these traits?

13

The Pub / thirty years of your world in ten seconds

« on: August 08, 2013, 07:20:06 AM »

I thought this was interesting; some of you might enjoy.

Time lapse aerial imagery for the world covering the last thirty years.
Check out your favorite spots. 

http://world.time.com/timelapse/

14

The Pub / local flavor

« on: August 06, 2013, 04:47:04 PM »

15

Beer Recipes / Fresh-n-wet harvest ale ideas

« on: August 06, 2013, 07:33:02 AM »

The hops are ready early this year, and I hope to try some small batch experiments
using undried, freshly harvested hops.

Wondering if you all have any favorite recipes or techniques that you could recommend.
Any thoughts on designing a nice harvest ale with fresh wet hops?  Any differences from just an AIPA or APA recipe?...other than more hops?

Seems the Centennials, Mt Hood, and Cascade are available, as well as the ridiculously prolific TZeus.
Also not totally opposed to adding commercial fare from the freezer.  Is that allowed? 

Thanks.