Messages

1

The Pub / Re: Whiskey

« on: September 19, 2017, 05:43:49 PM »

I use a stainless steel flask for single malt with no problem (though I usually don't leave it in there for long).

I'd personally not want to use a pewter flask. Pewter is a mix of tin and several other metals, such as copper or antimony, but can include lead - though today that is most common in low grade pewter. These other metals are used to harden the tin. Although lead isn't used as much here, I'd guess it'd be more common in China. And I'd also guess many (most?) inexpensive flasks would be of Chinese origin. Obviously your call, but I'd stick to stainless steel myself.

2

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Mason Jar airlocks

« on: August 06, 2017, 02:43:33 PM »

I've been using something similar (same same only different) to make lacto fermented veggies (sauerkraut, curried cauliflower & carrots, mushrooms, etc). Been using a starter culture from Dr. Mercola.

No reason these types of airlocks shouldn't work for beer or whatever. I use quart jars for the veggies, but you could get gallon ball jars for beer, mead, cider, etc.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VSJUICM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

3

All Grain Brewing / Re: Big dry Quad with mellow quad flavors

« on: June 24, 2017, 04:27:31 AM »

Is it bottled or in a keg? If kegged, you might try brewing another beer (either a quad or perhaps a dubbel) with more of the character you're looking for & then try blending to get closer to the flavor profile you want.

4

Commercial Beer Reviews / Re: Delirium Nocturnum

« on: September 11, 2016, 05:17:34 AM »

FWIW, I wasn't saying it needed to age, only that an 8.5% beer could age nicely for a while. Who knows how old it is now - I'd drink it now.

Yeah, isn't that a winter release for them?  I could be wrong, but if it is, that means it was probably brewed late last fall or earlier.  I do love that beer though.  Haven't had it in a while.

Nocturnum is year round. Delirium Noel is their Xmas seasonal. I've aged Nocturnum for about 3 years. It gets more rounded & soft, but loses some brightness. I'd suggest drinking it now.

5

The Pub / Re: Need Your Vote - 2016 Beer Drinker of the Year

« on: August 14, 2016, 03:15:18 PM »

one more, hope you get it!

6

Beer Travel / Re: Southern Italy (Catania, Sicily area)

« on: July 13, 2016, 04:17:54 PM »

Italy now has a burgeoning & extremely creative beer scene. The following are from ONE beer importer, B. United Intl. (disclosure - I work for Micro Man, a craft & import beer distributor in Florida and B. United is one of our suppliers). There are many other breweries not represented by B. United.

Apicoltura Dr.Pescia   Rosignano
Birra del Borgo   Borgorose
Birra del Carrobiolo   Monta
Birreria Le Baladin   Piozzo
Birrificio Almond 22   Pescara
Birrificio Barley   Maracalagonis (CA)
Birrificio Black Barrel   Torino
Birrificio Grado Plato   Chieri (TO)
Birrificio Italiano   Lurago Marinone (CO)
Birrificio Loverbeer   Marentino
Birrificio Montegioco   Montegioco (Al)
Birrificio Troll   Vernante (CN)
Birrificio del Ducato   Roncole Verdi Di Busseto (PR)
Birrificio di Como   Como
Extraomnes   Marnate
Piccolo Birrificio   Apricale (IM)
Selezione Baladin Srl   Piozzo

A couple of my favorites are Birra del Borgo, Le Baladin, Birrificio del Ducato, and Extraomnes.

slainte,
Mark

7

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Does caffeine compromise your palette?

« on: June 16, 2016, 04:15:45 AM »

great use for coffee at the judging table.....

keep a small cup of coffee beans on the table & sniff them when you need to clear/reset your palate. works great.

8

The Pub / Re: Whiskey

« on: April 12, 2016, 06:48:24 AM »

A new lowland single malt in the offing......
http://whiskyadvocate.com/2016/03/29/burnbrae-distillery-plans-for-the-rolls-royce-of-single-malts/

some interesting info about the new Burnbrae single malt and how it will be made.

9

The Pub / Re: Beer Thugs of LA

« on: April 07, 2016, 04:28:31 AM »

I know a few of these guys. They're all amiable sorts - go figure!

Go figure? Nah, it makes perfect sense. Drinking craft beer makes folks amiable. Just look at an NHC as an example. Thousands of happily drunk folk together for days with no aggro, no drama.

How's this for an (implausible) scenario...... get all the world leaders started on drinking craft beer. Then get them together for a big bottle share. Each one brings great beer from their country. They sit around the table, sharing beer, talking beer.... then when everyone's happy they can solve all the world's problems. The difficult part is to get them all drinking craft beer!!! But, hey, it could work.

10

The Pub / Re: Goose Island five years on

« on: April 02, 2016, 04:37:47 PM »

I read this article as well, left me curious to know if the author actually had pre and post buy out bottles to compare or if his evaluations were strictly off memory and thus, suspect at best. Not that I didn't agree with his thoughts but curious nonetheless.

Didn't sound like they did a side-by-side comparison. Don't think that would help much - these are light or hoppy beers that wouldn't take cellaring very well. The hops would certainly drop out quite a bit. Because of this, a side-by-side might favor the new beers regardless of how 'close' they were or weren't to the originals.

11

Ingredients / Re: suitable sub for wild hops

« on: March 30, 2016, 05:00:11 PM »

Maybe Cluster? That's a lot of what went wild from commercial hop crops early on - obviously not a native hop variety.

12

The Pub / Re: St. Augustine, FL

« on: March 21, 2016, 05:57:37 PM »

probably the best craft beer bar is JP Henley's - end of same block as A-1-A Alehouse. If interested in craft spirits, check out St Augustine Distillery/Ice Plant Bar.

13

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: AHA App Survey

« on: January 28, 2016, 06:24:25 AM »

Done

14

Equipment and Software / Re: Carbon Build up on SS Kettles - Help

« on: May 23, 2015, 07:54:58 PM »

if your burner is adjusted properly, you shouldn't get excessive soot buildup. but if it's a problem, you can use an old camping trick. take a little liquid dish soap and rub it over the bottom of your kettle, (and up the sides if they get black buildup). the soot will wash right off. easy peasy.

15

The Pub / Re: Aged spirits in a week

« on: April 27, 2015, 04:17:11 PM »

This is NOT the first system touted to age spirits really quickly. However, his Lost Spirits products have gotten quite good reviews (disclaimer - I haven't had the chance to try them myself) so I'd be a little more inclined to give a try to his products made with this system.