dadshomebrewing

Recipes 

Everyone in here is a newbie (2 months for me), and we are all seeing the same stuff, and approximately the same time, and we are all learning from each other, as well as from the experienced hands in here who help us all out.

My bet is that we all tend to learn things in approximately the same sequence, too.

And we've all asked the same questions (like, "Did I ruin my beer?").

So, let's share.

What did you learn this week?

I learned two things this week.

1. I learned to divide up the DME, and add some at the beginning and some at the end, made a huge difference to the color, and the flavor and texture of the wort.

2. The really big thing I learned is how to use IBU's (rather than weight) for the hops additions. Huge difference when you can look at the package of hops, and KNOW how to adjust on the fly to achieve the result you want.

So, how about you

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'Tis himself

In the fermenters: nada

In the bottle: Out of Camber Amber Ale / California Cream of 3 Crops / Wize Ole Dunkel

In the fridge(and the glass): Pilsner-Urquell(AG) / Brew Free or Die Pale Ale / Christmas Cranberry / Wizened Hefe / Mead (2) / Full Sail Pale Ale / No Quarter Porter / Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown Ale (on the South Side of Chicago)

On Deck:

meadmazer

Recipes 

Learning how to program an Auber ramp/soak temp controller. Will be used for brewing beer, and for a glass kiln.

Also cold crashing for the first time, which I suppose also includes learning enough patience while brewing to get that far before wanting to hurry up and drink the beer

bobot

Recipes 

I learned not to take a hydrometer reading from the brewpot, which is going to have 2 more gallons of water added to it in the fermenter. I learned that I should mix the wort and added water well if I would like a reliable OG reading. And, I learned that the OG specified in my extract kit can be relied upon as accurate, weather I measure it or not.
Thanks HomeBrewTalk!!!

dadshomebrewing

Recipes 

roger on the patience thing


I'm also learning how to wait for the beer to finish conditioning before I drink it all, but I haven't quite mastered that one yet.

__________________
'Tis himself

In the fermenters: nada

In the bottle: Out of Camber Amber Ale / California Cream of 3 Crops / Wize Ole Dunkel

In the fridge(and the glass): Pilsner-Urquell(AG) / Brew Free or Die Pale Ale / Christmas Cranberry / Wizened Hefe / Mead (2) / Full Sail Pale Ale / No Quarter Porter / Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown Ale (on the South Side of Chicago)

On Deck:

Doctor_Wily

Recipes 

I learned about combining DME with water to create a slurry before adding to the boil. Haven't tried this yet but plan to give it a shot during my next brew day.

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Primary 1: EMPTY
Primary 2: Custom Cream Ale
Bottled:

• Brewers Best American Cream Ale
• Random Red Irish Red Ale
• Oatmeal Milk Stout

On Deck: Unknown...
~~Updated Dec 10, 2012~~

dadshomebrewing

Recipes 

why would you do that? just to keep it from clumping up, or is there another reason?

i've just been using a kitchen whisk, and whisking it in.

__________________
'Tis himself

In the fermenters: nada

In the bottle: Out of Camber Amber Ale / California Cream of 3 Crops / Wize Ole Dunkel

In the fridge(and the glass): Pilsner-Urquell(AG) / Brew Free or Die Pale Ale / Christmas Cranberry / Wizened Hefe / Mead (2) / Full Sail Pale Ale / No Quarter Porter / Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown Ale (on the South Side of Chicago)

On Deck:

Doctor_Wily

Recipes 

it's to help with clumping/make it easier to mix, yea. Sounds like an interesting concept and figured I'll try it out next time.

__________________
Primary 1: EMPTY
Primary 2: Custom Cream Ale
Bottled:

• Brewers Best American Cream Ale
• Random Red Irish Red Ale
• Oatmeal Milk Stout

On Deck: Unknown...
~~Updated Dec 10, 2012~~

BadSully

Recipes 

Yesterday I was reading about the importance of water and mineral content, hard or soft water.

dcarter

Recipes 

I learned that they make 1/2 inch ball valves that have a manual bleed on the side. Now I don't need four valves for each pump.

http://www.amazon.com/Aviditi-11014-Threaded-2-Inch-2-Pack/dp/B005OA2JZ0

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Primary:Sierra Nevada Pale Ale Clone

My trash heap fridge rescue and conversion to a first class fermentation chamber

If you don't like your job, you don't strike!.....You just go in everyday and do it really half a$$ed, THATS the American way! - Homer J Simpson

dadshomebrewing

Recipes 

not exactly related to beer, but i learned that having a jug of sanitizer and water under the kitchen sink comes in very handy when cleaning up after preparing poultry (in this case a very large turkey).

__________________
'Tis himself

In the fermenters: nada

In the bottle: Out of Camber Amber Ale / California Cream of 3 Crops / Wize Ole Dunkel

In the fridge(and the glass): Pilsner-Urquell(AG) / Brew Free or Die Pale Ale / Christmas Cranberry / Wizened Hefe / Mead (2) / Full Sail Pale Ale / No Quarter Porter / Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown Ale (on the South Side of Chicago)

On Deck: