[tomsawyer]

Enjoyed the discussion and the format as well as the wealth of experience borught to most of the topics.  That said, I thought the comments about no-chill were the weak point in the entire discussion.  Strong's idea that no-chill represents a greater danger of infection, seems to me unfounded.  You are adding a self-sterilizing liquid to a container and closing it up.  If anything this is less likely to be infected than a quick chill occasionally exposed to open air.  If there is a difference in protein precipitation, that would be simple enough to measure.  I doubt there is though, the material is denatured and is going to coagulate once it reaches a certain temp, and if it does so more slowly it doesn't matter because it will by the time fermentation is over.  The one aspect I could see being different, is how late additions are affected by what amounts to a ong warm whirlpool.  If the container is closed, you wouldn't lose a lot of aroma.  I could see some additional bitterness coming from no-chill, but like everything it is different but not really inferior.  You just have to know your system and your technique.

[tomsawyer]

The othr question I came away with dealt with the idea of steeping dark grains.  I understand how it would eliminate the need for a dose of calcium carbonate or bicarb, but once you add the steeped liquor it would still have an effect on both kettle pH and beer pH.  Is this not as important?

[a10t2]

You are adding a self-sterilizing liquid to a container and closing it up.  If anything this is less likely to be infected than a quick chill occasionally exposed to open air.

I always thought that was one of the advantages of no-chill brewing.

[micsager]

I listened to this last night Denny.  I thought you and Gordon were gonna duke it out there for minute.  It's good to hear such opposing views on step mashing from such well respected homebrewers.   

[denny]

I listened to this last night Denny.  I thought you and Gordon were gonna duke it out there for minute.  It's good to hear such opposing views on step mashing from such well respected homebrewers.   

I can assure you that I would never duke it out with Gordon...he's bigger than I am!  But I do think it'd good to hear differing opinions so that people interested in the subject have a range of options to try for themselves.

[micsager]

I listened to this last night Denny.  I thought you and Gordon were gonna duke it out there for minute.  It's good to hear such opposing views on step mashing from such well respected homebrewers.   

I can assure you that I would never duke it out with Gordon...he's bigger than I am!  But I do think it'd good to hear differing opinions so that people interested in the subject have a range of options to try for themselves.

I agree.  When I started brewing 5-6 years ago, I remember thinking I HAD to do everything according to John Palmer's book, but over the little time I have been brewing, I've learned at the end of brew session, it's almost always beer.  And how can that be bad? 

[The Professor]

...I do think it'd good to hear differing opinions so that people interested in the subject have a range of options to try for themselves.

Right!  I maintain that "Try it for yourself"  is one of the most important rules in learning to brew.  There's plenty of bits of advice floating around, especially on the interwebs...some good, some bad, but rarely definitive. 
   
With so many variables in the process and the  multiple ways (both methodology and ingredient-wise)  to get great results in the end, the surest path to finding the best way for one's own situation (and taste) is through experimentation and good note taking. 

[punatic]

I listened to this last night Denny.  I thought you and Gordon were gonna duke it out there for minute.  It's good to hear such opposing views on step mashing from such well respected homebrewers.   

I can assure you that I would never duke it out with Gordon...he's bigger than I am!  But I do think it'd good to hear differing opinions so that people interested in the subject have a range of options to try for themselves.

So does this mean the "Mud Wrestling With the Beer Wonks" feature at NHC '12 has been canceled?

[denny]

So does this mean the "Mud Wrestling With the Beer Wonks" feature at NHC '12 has been canceled?

Not necessarily.....

[euge]

So does this mean the "Mud Wrestling With the Beer Wonks" feature at NHC '12 has been canceled?

Not necessarily.....

I want to see Denny and Gordon arm-wrestle!

[denny]

So does this mean the "Mud Wrestling With the Beer Wonks" feature at NHC '12 has been canceled?

Not necessarily.....

I want to see Denny and Gordon arm-wrestle!

And Palmer take on the winner!

[Rhoobarb]

Haven't watched it, but listened to the podcast on the way to work this AM and really enjoyed it.  Great job Danny & Gordon!  The BeerSmith podcasts are really well done, IMO.

[bluesman]

Watched the entire episode lastnight. Great format and info. I would like to see more of this and I'm confident Brad will be hosting more episodes. Great to see you guys converse in such a format. Nice job Denny!

[ynotbrusum]

I am just finishing Gordon's book, Brewing Better Beer, and I enjoyed hearing comments from the others on some topics that really were helpful (like forgetting about mash hopping - I couldn't agree more).  Really well done and great guys to have on there!

Happy New Brew Year to the participants, viewers and listeners.  I can't wait for another episode.

[ibru]

Yes, very good indeed! I was tempted to grab a brew while watching even if it was 7 am.