Finally, I'm a brewer too! - Page 3

davekippen · 01-21-2012, 05:55 PM

I racked into a secondary today. I know there are mixed feeling about this, but 1) I want to use my primary to make more beer! and 2) I am going to let this Lager for several weeks. Everything went well. Found a nice cold place out in the breezway that is about 40 degrees consistently. Should be perfect!

dgoldb1 · 01-21-2012, 05:58 PM

Secondary is fine as long as you make sure everything is super clean/sanitized. Welcome to this obsession.

rockgardenlove · 01-21-2012, 06:00 PM

Happy beer dude!

davekippen · 02-08-2012, 11:19 PM

Well, its bottling day! Yep, its as tedious as everyone said but the Hopslam and Ruthless Rye helped!!

Everything went well, except from the 2 twist tops that I tried to fill and cap.... and the one bottle that broke when I tried to cap it... otherwise a smooth bottling night! Only ended up with about 42 12'0zers?? Oh well...

Only worry is that damn sanitizer that my lhbs sells - its a powder and it seems soooo soapy.......... gotty find a good source for Starsan for the next batch! Im sure its fine.

Pics: first 6 bottled (ever!) and then the whole batch in bottles...

Bithead · 02-08-2012, 11:38 PM

Murphy's Law of Brewing. A watched pot never boils. An unattended pot always boils over.

davekippen · 02-08-2012, 11:43 PM

So true! Both happen EVERY brewday!

maffewl · 02-08-2012, 11:47 PM

Welcome to the obsession! And I proudly call it that because what else would someone call currently having 40 gallons of 11 different styles of beer when you only drink a pint a night at best.

davekippen · 02-08-2012, 11:53 PM

I have another batch fermenting right now (of course) and have no worries about how it will be devoured. This weekend a Belgian Strong will be brewed....... it never ends, does it!!

davekippen · 02-16-2012, 12:45 AM

Per some suggestions, I refrigerated one bottle and cracked it open today - 1 week in the bottle. I want to track the changes in the beer from "green" to "mature" (if it lasts that long!). It was slightly carbonated and actually tasted really good. Slight "leathery" taste (?) but not in a bad way... normal for a bock? Color was great! Head was a little thin, but expected for one week in a bottle... I was actually brewing a Belgian Strong tonight, so officially this was the first time I got to drink a homebrew while I brewed!!!!!

davekippen · 02-23-2012, 12:36 AM

Cracked one open after week 2 in the bottle. Head was great! Taste is really good too. There is some slight flavor I cannot place. I wondered about Tannin because I damn near boiled my grains (instead of a gental steep). Can anyone describe what a tannins might taste like??