Looking for tips on improving my beer

anthrobe · 01-22-2006, 06:50 PM

I have now been brewing for about 3 years. Throughout this time has all been extract with steeping grains. I have made some great beers the last few years but I find myself searching to make things better. Recently I have been looking at improving my equipement. I now have more glass carboys, brew pot with weldless thermometer, and immersion chiller. All of these have improved my beers by helping keep everything within tighter control. Lately I have been using starters which has also improved. Next I want to start force oxygenating my beer before pitching yeast. I find myself leaning towards AG more and more but it is not an option now. What else can I do to help excel my beer to the next level? I am feeling that better equipement may not excel me but to develope my own recipes and start building from there.

**david_42** · 01-22-2006, 07:00 PM

Probably the next step would be tighter temperature control on the ferment. If you are getting consistant results following recipes, take a favorite and change the grain bill.

Genghis77 · 01-22-2006, 08:00 PM

I think it is important to develop a rating system for how much you like particular styles and batches of beer. Then home in on your very best and modify the ingredients to develop a really great beer. I have also had a lot of microbrews lately to give a comparison. I am highly impressed by Lagunitas IPA and Terminal Gravity IPA. Much less so with a slew of other IPA's. So, I think I will be brewing similar IPA's and play with the effects of various hops. I find on styles that were disappointments, it was also a microbrew disappointment. With more than 25 years experience, I had brewed suprisingly few varieties until just a few months ago. Just beginning to truly experience the possibilities.

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