Recent content by arcadiaacres

Put me in the "I love the smell, she hates the smell" category. Next on the list to acquire is the turkey fryer so I can brew in the garage.

I'm very VERY early on in this hobby, but I've brewed, bottled and tasted 2-3 of the Brewers Best kits, including the witbeir. Without anything to really compare it to (other than commercial beers), it seems like the beers I've opened are over-carbonated. Not enough to gush upon opening, but...

Wow, thanks for all the feedback. Here are some responses to the questions/comments: Strangelove: "am I fermenting/aging long enough". Over the course of my 6 batch career :D, I've moved to leaving things in the primary for 3 weeks vs. moving to secondary so that could be it...

I'm about 6 batches into my home brewing career with 3 batches having been bottled & opened up for tasting. I'm happy with the progress I'm making and I know I'm learning more each time. While I prefer the more robust tasting beers, the wife likes a far less bitter beer. Blue Moon is her cup...

I'm glad this thread is out here because I have a simple question that I don't seem to be able to find an answer for...yet! How long does the Star San solution need to be in contact with a surface in order to sanitize? i.e. if I spray a bottle, do I need to let it dry completely before using...

I just wanted to weigh in BEFORE the onslaught of responses to the soon-to-be-released video of awesome awesomeness! Personally, I'm nominating BB/Fo for an academy award in the Best Documentary category along with Best Thread Ever category. Get that acceptance speech fired up Fo

What you're attempting is fascinating & I look forward to reading about your progress and ultimate success. I read an article in the Wall Street Journal a few days ago about the growth of micro-breweries in China that people following this thread may enjoy. Hopefully, you can follow this link...

first batch in the carboy yesterday. It's like a rite of passage and I feel more like a real home brewer now 22,337 + 5 = 22,342

I posted this in the general thread a few days ago but then discovered this forum. I'm wondering if there's a some Brew Science experts that can help. For my third batch of beer, I found a recipe for a Chocolate Raspberry Stout. The recipe called for "gypsum to create hard water" which I...

I must say I'm honored that EdWort chimed in :cross: and as far as running around without clothes on, this is EXACTLY why I want to get the sweetness to my wifes liking.

Make sure I get this right re: the carbonation No carbonation = beer bottles fine Light carbonation = beer bottles okay, but corked champagne bottles better I only have beer & wine bottles at the moment. If I did a 5 gal batch and wanted a light carbonation, would that be like 3/4cup corn...

The wife prefers sweeter wins (White Zin primarily). I hesitate to mess with a "classic" without having tried it first, but it sounds like I may want to make it a bit sweeter than normal...maybe add some non-fermenting wine sweetener prior to bottling??

Newbie brewer here. As I've been lurking on the HBT forums, I keep coming across the recipe for Edworts Apfelwein and I intend to make some this weekend. It seems almost like a rite of passage! My question is this: is there a readily available, commercial product that roughly approximates...

Okay & thanks again to everyone for the input. I'm going to bottle some up just for grins. Plus, you never know when one will need a chocolate raspberry stout laxative. I'm sure I'll have plenty to give away so if anyone is need, let me know

From the "what if" universe.... What if I brewed up a 2nd batch much like the first (but without the Gypsum overdose) and combined them before bottling? I'm thinking that's either going to be twice as much not-so-good beer OR the way to salvage a bad batch.