I Brew Beer [beer pr0n, etc., etc.]

Evan! · 09-06-2007, 02:29 PM

I think I have a problem. I can't stop.

I brewed my first decoction on Saturday. Then I get the bright idea to brew my basil IPA last night, because the wifey was studying for a licensing exam, and the cinnamon-basil bush doesn't have much time before it dies. Then, I thought, if I'm brewing one, why not make it two? I needed a stout/porter, so I set up for a Fuller's London Porter clone. And hey, why not commit to making cream of tomato soup from scratch while I'm at it? I'm insane.

So I made the soup (not easy, but it came out great) for the wife, because she's not feeling very good...and crushed my grains/set up the equipment while the tomatoes roasted, etc. I didn't get mashed in until after dinner, about 7:30:

The Basil IPA was a stepped mash, direct-heated. The Porter was a single infusion in the cooler. Guess which one had horrible efficiency. Boils went okay...though I had to split each batch up in order to get better evap, which made for a long evening...

I finally got to bed at 2. Damnit.

Evan! · 09-06-2007, 02:30 PM

The IPA had great efficiency. Ended up with 1.074 OG. The porter had horrible efficiency, 1.040 OG!!! What the hell? I never have had luck with single infusions, though. So, after everything was cooled and pitched, I just tossed some dextrose and LME into a little pot on the stove with some water and boiled it down...then cooled it and added it to the Porter wort. Ended up with 1.051 OG at the end of the day, which is still short of the 1.055 OG I was shooting for, but what're you gonna do? I guess my comment yesterday about BYO Clone recipes assuming really low efficiency has come back to bite me in the ass. So be it. It'll still be good beer.

Here's my brewhouse now. 7 on the counter, 1 in the lagerator. Like I said, I think I have a problem...

**Lil' Sparky** · 09-06-2007, 02:47 PM

Yes, you have a problem. Apparently it's contageous and you can catch it over the internet by visiting certain discussion forums.

**TheJadedDog** · 09-06-2007, 02:56 PM

Step one is to admit you have a problem: Hi, my name is JDog and I am a homebrewer.

jeff · 09-06-2007, 03:10 PM

Basil IPA sounds interesting. Any chance you'll share the recipe?

Buford · 09-06-2007, 03:14 PM

And here I thought my schedule of brewing three batches a month was bad!

JustDave · 09-06-2007, 03:17 PM

You're right, you do have a problem -- only 8 carboys? Come on!

Just kidding .... great job. You can never have too much beer on hand, I say.

Evan! · 09-06-2007, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff

Basil IPA sounds interesting. Any chance you'll share the recipe?

Here you go. The basil additions are not really an exact science. I add leaves until the boil-off smells like basil.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buford

And here I thought my schedule of brewing three batches a month was bad!

Yeah, well...what're you gonna do. This makes 95 gallons YTD (not counting apfelwein).

iamjonsharp · 09-06-2007, 04:03 PM

looks like a pretty exciting problem.

from C-ville? I live over on Fontaine Ave.

-Jon

Evan! · 09-06-2007, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamjonsharp

looks like a pretty exciting problem.

from C-ville? I live over on Fontaine Ave.

-Jon

Hey, how bout that. The only other c-villian I've seen on HBT.

I'm over on Wilder (near that first stoplight on Park St. after you cross the bypass going north). Welcome to the forums, Jon...