[dmtaylor]

The idea of people brewing an amount just because other people do is silly. We all do it our way.

Do we?

[HoosierBrew]

The idea of people brewing an amount just because other people do is silly. We all do it our way.

Do we?

I would hope. Maybe not, Dave. I think newer brewers brew in 'standard' volumes because there's so much info to absorb. Didn't take me many batches to decide how much of something I wanted, though.

[Stevie]

Smaller batches are just not worth it to me until I have a stable of 2.5 gallon kegs. I love the idea of smaller batches and have done some small batches that I bottled, but bottling sucks. Bottling small batches sucks even more.

[Wort-H.O.G.]

El Niño winter has Ohio solidly above average temps through February, with much above average temps for December!!!!

whoohoo outdoor December brewing in shorts baby!

[HoosierBrew]

El Niño winter has Ohio solidly above average temps through February, with much above average temps for December!!!!

whoohoo outdoor December brewing in shorts baby!

I've been hearing the same. A mild winter sounds pretty damn nice !

[theDarkSide]

El Niño winter has Ohio solidly above average temps through February, with much above average temps for December!!!!

whoohoo outdoor December brewing in shorts baby!

Watch out for this.  We didn't have our first significant snowstorm in New England last year until late January (I think we were at 6 inches for the season).  Then it snowed every other day, including a blizzard which dropped about 30 inches on us.  We ended up with a season total above 100 inches (otherwise know as a mild winter in Buffalo )

[Wort-H.O.G.]

El Niño winter has Ohio solidly above average temps through February, with much above average temps for December!!!!

whoohoo outdoor December brewing in shorts baby!

Watch out for this.  We didn't have our first significant snowstorm in New England last year until late January (I think we were at 6 inches for the season).  Then it snowed every other day, including a blizzard which dropped about 30 inches on us.  We ended up with a season total above 100 inches (otherwise know as a mild winter in Buffalo )

not this year...looking real good thata-way

edit: caution dec-feb..you're on the cusp.



http://dsx.weather.com//util/image/w/wsi_outlook_dec-feb.jpg?v=ap&w=980&h=551&api=7db9fe61-7414-47b5-9871-e17d87b8b6a0

[theDarkSide]

I guess I wait and give my prediction in March 

I brewed zero beer last winter after January...too busy digging out every other day.  I could definitely use a mild winter.

[HoosierBrew]

Indy is just into the 'above average' temp band. I sure hope we stay that way. It's been all about the 'polar vortex' for the last few winters.

[Stevie]

Looks like I need to get out of Dallas fast

[riceral]

Looks like another reason why I need to get out of Dallas fast

Fixed this for you, Steve.

[pete b]

El Niño winter has Ohio solidly above average temps through February, with much above average temps for December!!!!

whoohoo outdoor December brewing in shorts baby!

Watch out for this.  We didn't have our first significant snowstorm in New England last year until late January (I think we were at 6 inches for the season).  Then it snowed every other day, including a blizzard which dropped about 30 inches on us.  We ended up with a season total above 100 inches (otherwise know as a mild winter in Buffalo )

It seems as though the past few years in New England our winters have shifted from early December through early March to Late December through early April.

[ynotbrusum]

Here in Illinois it shifted later, as well.  I was lagering in the garage until late April.

I can't help but think of Chris Farley when hearing the words "El Niño" - "which is Spanish for the Niño"! 

[leejoreilly]

The idea of people brewing an amount just because other people do is silly. We all do it our way.

Do we?

It might be more accurate to say that our equipment choices greatly influence our batch sizes. Once I've invested in tuns/kettles/coolers/kegs that support 5 gallon batches, it's a no-brainer to just brew a 5 gallon batch. Not to mention my recipes are dialed in at 5 gallons, too. I certainly could brew 2 gallons using the same equipment, but there's no big benefit to doing so (for me). I could save a little in ingredients, and maybe some time, but I'd end up with less beer for my efforts. And, being a retired man of leisure, a shorter brew day is not as great a value to me as it may be to some.

[hopfenundmalz]

El Niño winter has Ohio solidly above average temps through February, with much above average temps for December!!!!

whoohoo outdoor December brewing in shorts baby!

Watch out for this.  We didn't have our first significant snowstorm in New England last year until late January (I think we were at 6 inches for the season).  Then it snowed every other day, including a blizzard which dropped about 30 inches on us.  We ended up with a season total above 100 inches (otherwise know as a mild winter in Buffalo )

It seems as though the past few years in New England our winters have shifted from early December through early March to Late December through early April.

The last two here have shifted to Thanksgiving to Easter.