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freisste · 12-17-2012, 12:44 AM

I wouldn't say that a chest freezer is a bad idea, but you might want to start with the swamp cooler before going to a freezer. If you can get the results you want, you can save yourself probably at least $100 between the freezer and controller. If you are planning on layering for long periods of time, then it's probably good to start with the freezer.

Good luck with the flavor issues.

**Ogri** · 12-17-2012, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kf4ocj

Thanks for replies,I guess its await and see thing.As for the hop bite I did what some people suggest and chewed on hop pellet to get an Idea of the flavor and that was it.I am looking for a small chest freezer to build a fermentation chamber from,but havent found one yet

The hops aroma and flavours will mellow more the longer you condition. I'm not sure how much, or even if, the bittering mellows but generally all beers will lose their "sharp edges" and become a bit more "round" with a suitable length conditioning.

Quote:

Originally Posted by freisste

I wouldn't say that a chest freezer is a bad idea, but you might want to start with the swamp cooler before going to a freezer. If you can get the results you want, you can save yourself probably at least $100 between the freezer and controller. If you are planning on layering for long periods of time, then it's probably good to start with the freezer.

Good luck with the flavor issues.

^^^^
+1

What sort of ambient temps are you dealing with?? If it's not really hot, like say over 86f, you can get away using a swamp cooler(any vessel that can hold your fermenter and water, up to just below the surface level of the beer, put an old Tshirt or towel over the fermenter and into the water to wick up the water and aim a fan at that. It'll do a good job of cooling your brew. If you live in a hot, humid envirnoment you're going to have to swap out the bottles of frozen water quite frequently to maintain decent temps), swapping 2 litre/1qt bottles of frozen water a couple to a few times a day. A bit involved but way cheaper than a chest freezer, as in you could put one together right now very easily to help your present brews without spending a ridiculous amount of money.

kf4ocj · 12-17-2012, 01:10 AM

the ambient temps are right at 70 and stay near that year round.With the freezer idea Im sure I can get setup for around 70 bucks,but finding a freezer has been the problem.Sooner or later I would like to lager so I may as well get the things together for it

Satisfaction · 12-17-2012, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kf4ocj

I used mutons ale yeast,I know,I know,I need to start useing better yeast.I did check one website and it claimed the it works well from 55-77F,seems like a pretty good temp spread to me

Honestly, being new to the brewing game you are heading in the right direction and showing concern in the right areas. I looked at my first couple of beers as test runs to figure out what and how to do things. After of 3-4 tries I figured out what worked for me and made my adjustments and then it is off to the races.

Next thing you know is your pocketbook is 1-2 grand lighter.

Good luck!

**Ogri** · 12-17-2012, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kf4ocj

the ambient temps are right at 70 and stay near that year round.With the freezer idea Im sure I can get setup for around 70 bucks,but finding a freezer has been the problem.Sooner or later I would like to lager so I may as well get the things together for it

If your ambient is around 70 it's going to be really easy to keep your fermentation temps down in the low 60s using the swamp cooler.

As said before, it might be a little more time intensive but cheap, easy, effective and can be thrown together practically instantly.

Using a swamp cooler for the initial few days of fermentation definitely gave my beers an instantaneous jump in quality.

ryno1ryno · 12-17-2012, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Satisfaction

What yeast was used? Some are more tolerant than others to warmer temperatures.

Here is a nice chart to review for temps and general characteristics..

http://www.yeastcalc.com/guide%20to%20yeast.htm

Very nice link! Thanks.

Book marked.

**WileECoyote** · 12-17-2012, 01:29 AM

I don't like the hop bite ether in most recipes, I have cut the 60 min hop (bittering addition) amount in half on quite a few recipes that I brew and even up to 2/3, and cut all hop additions in half on more than one recipe to meet my taste.

Home Brewing is all about making beer that taste the way you like it, not making your beer the way other people want it to taste.

Look at these 2 things first.

Fermentation temperature control is going to make a huge difference in your brew.
Get a $6 rope handle tub from walmart, put 5 gal cold water in it, place your fermentation bucket in it for the first 4 to 6 days of fermentation, add frozen water bottles as necessary to keep temp down to the lower side of recommended temps for that yeast.
If you ferment with to high of temps for that yeast, the brew will have (Fusel alcohols) a hot alcohol bite in the beer.

Try cutting back a bit on the 60 min bittering hops, try maybe 1/3 less, this will make a less bitter beer for sure.
As for hops 60 min=bittering, 20 min=taste, 10 min or less=aroma

Good luck, keep trying you'll get it right, try looking up malty, low hop kit recipes, this might help you find what your looking for too.

Cheers

kf4ocj · 12-17-2012, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WileECoyote

I don't like the hop bite ether in most recipes, I have cut the 60 min hop (bittering addition) amount in half on quite a few recipes that I brew and even up to 2/3, and cut all hop additions in half on more than one recipe to meet my taste.

Home Brewing is all about making beer that taste the way you like it, not making your beer the way other people want it to taste.

Look at these 2 things first.

Fermentation temperature control is going to make a huge difference in your brew.
Get a $6 rope handle tub from walmart, put 5 gal cold water in it, place your fermentation bucket in it for the first 4 to 6 days of fermentation, add frozen water bottles as necessary to keep temp down to the lower side of recommended temps for that yeast.
If you ferment with to high of temps for that yeast, the brew will have (Fusel alcohols) a hot alcohol bite in the beer.

Try cutting back a bit on the 60 min bittering hops, try maybe 1/3 less, this will make a less bitter beer for sure.
As for hops 60 min=bittering, 20 min=taste, 10 min or less=aroma

Good luck, keep trying you'll get it right, try looking up malty, low hop kit recipes, this might help you find what your looking for too.

Cheers

I love this site and really appreciate all the help/advice.I come by here at least once a day and more if I am looking for help on a brew.I will keep after it till I get a great batch,then I will know I have it right

**WileECoyote** · 12-17-2012, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kf4ocj

I love this site and really appreciate all the help/advice.I come by here at least once a day and more if I am looking for help on a brew.I will keep after it till I get a great batch,then I will know I have it right

Helping each other, Thats what we are all here for isn't it?

Cheers

moscoeb · 12-17-2012, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WileECoyote

Helping each other, Thats what we are all here for isn't it?

Cheers

I thought I was here for the free beer?!?!!