Messages

1

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: NHC shipping issues

« on: March 08, 2014, 10:29:45 AM »

Definitely print your label at home and just drop it off, no questions asked.  It is also slightly cheaper. 

I've long ago given up with marking fragile, this end up, etc. Do you think anyone actually looks at the box?  If anything you are putting a big target on it to be tossed from 8 feet.

2

Homebrew Clubs / Re: Bottles with logos for NHC comp?

« on: March 05, 2014, 06:26:10 PM »

They do put numbered labels on the cap, but ... Never mind. I just checked and the bottle labels have name etc on them. I thought the labels were taped on last year. Maybe that's just final round. Or maybe i'm making $4¡7 up.

Sent from my XT1030 using Tapatalk

Only in final round

3

Ingredients / Re: D2 candi syrup and head retention

« on: February 26, 2014, 09:37:53 PM »

I use D2 in an "imperial amber" that has no problem with head retention.  Though all the extra hops in there might help

4

Pimp My System / Re: And now...the other end of the motorized grain mill cart spectrum

« on: February 20, 2014, 09:13:55 AM »

I like it! Had thoughts about this exact approach in the past. Great to see it visualized and realized by another homebrewer.

Instead of the valuable wood-clamp how about an appropriately sized hose-clamp? Then you could fine tune the speed by simply turning a screw.

A zip tie works well like this, though you can't really slow it down without cutting it off and starting over

5

Pimp My System / Re: And now...the other end of the motorized grain mill cart spectrum

« on: February 19, 2014, 06:13:59 PM »

I just replaced my old drill with a similar one from harbor freight.  It was $40 including tax with a 25% off coupon.

It does have a trigger lock. 

I mounted mine underneath so the only thing on top of the cart (I used an old microwave cart) is the hopper.  I mounted a switch that turns on the outlet the drill is plugged into and my scale is plugged into the other outlet that is always on.

Sure is nice not sitting crouched down holding the drill and dumping grain in a little at a time

6

Events / Re: NHC 2014 List of Speakers is Up

« on: February 19, 2014, 04:45:08 PM »

Pro night is now the reception, ends at 7:30, and you go on the town or whatever. Social well?

After Club Night or last hour on Saturday are though for me.

Last year it was the morning after pro night (I think) that you sat next to me at Stan's talk and said it was a rough night

7

Events / Re: NHC 2014 List of Speakers is Up

« on: February 19, 2014, 03:47:25 PM »

holy crap.  there's way too many to attend!   

Cider!  yes!  I hope we see a professional cidermaker or two serving their stuff sometime during the conference too...

either way, looks like we're gonna get learnt reel good this year!
registering now.

Crispy has said that there will be 4 tracks of speakers this year. Will have to pick and choose for sure.

5

5 tracks! Of course there will be one hour where I have to make a hard decision between 5 presentations I really want to see.

Hopefully it won't be the first one in the morning after pro night again.

8

All Grain Brewing / Re: Starting with RO Water and adjusting from there

« on: February 17, 2014, 10:53:42 AM »

I always brew with 100% RO water, and use Brun' Water.  What with the chlorine and changing sources during the year I figured it would be best.  Sometimes it is a bit of a pain getting all the water I need into the HLT if I start too late.

I'm all RO now also and had the same problem.  I used to put my RO output i my boil kettle and when full switch to my HLT.  Of course sometimes it would overflow and make a mess in the garage if I was away when it was full or forgot to check in it.

So I took one of those 20ish gallon plastic wine fermenters and turned it into a reservoir with a float valve and weldless bulkhead/spigot.  Works great.  Next upgrade will be to mount it higher so I can use gravity to fill the HLT instead of having to pump

9

Going Pro / Re: Six pack can holders

« on: February 17, 2014, 12:10:31 AM »

I always pull them apart and stick them in the fridge individually.  Maybe you could use some wire cutters or something to crack the edge and make them easier to release

10

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Rookie NHC question

« on: February 16, 2014, 07:49:48 PM »

It wouldn't hurt to bring it.  Last year a bunch of us hit Elysian fields afterwards.

I'm not sure where I'll be staying. 

11

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: Next improvement Oxygenation

« on: February 16, 2014, 05:17:30 PM »

IMO if you are repitching yeast or making big beers you definitely want to make sure they have sufficient o2 whether from o2 tank, shaking, etc.  If you are making normal strength beers (1.056ish) and not reptiching  dont worry about it much

12

Going Pro / Re: New Micro Brewery needs help

« on: February 12, 2014, 11:27:47 PM »

Definitely go with sanke, you will be fighting an uphill battle to get places to take cornys.  Also if you have a good pump you can CIP a sanke easily and not have to pull the spears every time.

Cornys really suck, 5 o rings vs 1 on sanke and many more places for a possible leak.  Sanke couplers have built in check valves as well

13

AHA Messages, Forum Rules & FAQs / Re: 2014 Governing Committee Election Now Open - Vote Now!

« on: February 12, 2014, 10:55:53 AM »

Wow 25 candidates

14

Homebrew Competitions / Re: NHC

« on: February 12, 2014, 01:28:28 AM »

Yikes, hopefully this process smooths out

It's much smoother than last year.  Within an hour of registration opening there were tons of complaint posts in the forums so I'd like to give a big thumbs up to the staff and process so far.

I think getting the actual number of entrants/entry count is awesome.  Data is king and the fact that they ran the numbers a bunch of ways is truly awesome.  Props to Janis and the aha staff making this happen.

15

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: NHC 2014 winner

« on: February 12, 2014, 12:19:03 AM »

Definitely good luck in cat 14, I gave up entering that one when I got a 47 in first round but didn't pass the minibos, same beer won many other awards around the same time.  This was when it was only single bottle for first round so it should be better now.