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bpgreen · 01-24-2013, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigtuna101

Well here is what happened, I made 4 two gallon batches and most of them where recipes that I got off the mr beer web site. Most I used two different cans of HME etc. and each can with its own yeast pack. Both different based on the small number print on the back of the foil packet. All where gold except a couple. Any way I used the yeast packet that came with the craft series HME. Then as I am on the third batch I realized the recipes asked for both packets of yeast under each HME. Well at this point I had them mixed together and could no longer tell what second yeast pack would go to what recipe. So I went on the web site looked up the yeast they sell and it is not possible to match back what goes to what HME can. The only info on the foil packs is a number like "brewers yeast 2045" and no reference to that number on the web site. So I took a gamble and made my best bet what pack went to what batch, basically could really only remember what batch was to get the silver pack and the other three got a random gold second pack. So unless I am incredibly lucky there is now a different second yeast strain in at least one or two if not all of the other three batches. My guess is t will be fine and just effect the flavor based on what the recipe intended but hopefully in a good way. What does the panel think will happen? I just spent over a hundred and 50 bucks on these, soft packs, hops, boosters etc. hoping for he best.

Other than specialty refills, Mr beer uses two yeasts. One is a wheat yeast and the other is a generic ale yeast (probably coopers yeast). The numbers on the packet are a batch number that tells the date of manufacture. It's probably something like 23412, which would be day 234 of 2013.

bigtuna101 · 01-24-2013, 06:38 AM

So should be all good then? Thanks so much!

bpgreen · 01-24-2013, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigtuna101

So should be all good then? Thanks so much!

You should be fine.

bzwyatt · 01-24-2013, 08:28 PM

Day 21 is today.

I plan to use some Grolsch bottles I saved but are kinda dirty from being in the garage for a few months. I don't have a dishwasher, was thinking of boiling them before I sanitize, or just washing them with dish soap, but MrBeer says dish soap isn't good.

How would you clean them before sanitizing? Is hot water good enough?

Also, if I just put sugar/honey straight in the bottle, will the yeast get to it ok if some sticks to the bottom of the bottle?

azmark · 01-24-2013, 09:27 PM

Oxiclean free is good for cleaning,,,might want to check or replace the seals as well. Let soak a couple hours in the oxi and hot water, then use bottle brush if you have one,,,,rinse well then sanatize.

With honey you might want to do a batch prime, hard to get the right amount in the bottle. With all the variables, and no taste benefit from going with honey, you might want to just use table sugar.

camp20 · 01-25-2013, 12:42 AM

Am I the only one who thinks the basic out of the box Mr. beer kits all taste very similar?

azmark · 01-25-2013, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camp20

Am I the only one who thinks the basic out of the box Mr. beer kits all taste very similar?

Many of the Basic kits are low on the exciting scale. Craft kits are much more distinctive. All HMEs are a bit low on hop taste and aroma due to the nature of the packaging, processing, and shipping of the hops. (inside the wort)

But all can be a great base for getting creative, add, malt, or hops to make them as exciting as you like.

stevehardt · 01-25-2013, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camp20

Am I the only one who thinks the basic out of the box Mr. beer kits all taste very similar?

No, you're not the only one. The premium kits are a bit better.

1fast636 · 01-26-2013, 03:57 AM

bottled my first batch last saturday and brewed the second batch sunday. time to order the good craft ones and a bottle capper i'm not feelin the big bottles the kit came with. got plenty of bottles down stairs been hording them for about a year now and can finally put them to use. lol

BrewinHooligan · 01-26-2013, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camp20

Am I the only one who thinks the basic out of the box Mr. beer kits all taste very similar?

Add a pound of light DME, use some hops in the boil an/or dry hop, and experiment with some different yeast and you will lose the singular dimension of the basic kits. Danstar Munich is a pretty decent Bavarian Weizen dry yeast, and T-58 is a really good Belgian dry yeast and they will make a huge difference in the flavor of the finished product if you are looking to branch out to different styles. You can also browse the recipe section here and halve any 5 gallon recipe (you will almost certainly save $ doing this over Mr Beer refills) you find and make that in your LBK. The only thing you can't do with Mr Beer is make 5 gallons at a time unless you have 2. Don't limit yourself to the basic refills.