Recent content by BlondIrishGuy

I've got two fermenters open right now, so it's off to the LBS on Saturday morning. I think I am also buying a big SS pot, a propane burner, an imersion chiller and starting full boils on the next batches.

Back in February I brewed an oatmeal stout that I had planned to have on St. Patricks day. Fast forward to last night... For various reasons: School, business trips, pleasure trips, honey-do lists, etc... I never got around to bottling the stuff. Mrs. BlondIrishGuy says to me last night...

I just buy a big bag of ice at the store and dump it in the bucket right before I pour in the partial boil. Then top off with ice cold water and then give everything a vigorous stir to mix it all up and give the yeast some oxygen. Once I do that it is usually already below 80 degrees and you...

I need to pace myself then... Or I'll have them drank up before they get really good. :D

Good to hear it. Check out my thread about the same thing. My wife gave me a kit for Christmas too, and I am sitting her on my second homebrew as I type this. I have had a Blonde Ale in the fermenter for 2 weeks, and I picked up an Irish Stout at the LHBS to brew tomorrow. I also picked up a...

I just couldn't wait any longer, so after 3 weeks in the primary and only 2 weeks in the bottles, I put a few in the beer fridge and here is the result: Here is the recipe: 7.7# LME 6 oz. Crystal 60 grain 4 oz. Chocolate grain 7.5 aau Warrior hops [bittering] .5 oz. Kent Golding...

Do you just throw a pinch of it in there, or do you use an infuser or little mesh bag or somthing similar? I ask, because my brewing buddy at work gave me some and I want to try it on my next batch.

I have nothing against internet brewing supply stores, but I am kind of partial to my local home brew store and here is why. 1. You are supporting a local business in your own home town. 2. You have a local person that can help you with questions and suggestions. 3. The taxes you pay...

Everyone is telling you to wait, and that is good advice. You should not bottle an Imperial after only 8 days. That is just plain impatience and it is inviting disaster. Let it sit in the primary for at least 21 days preferrably 28 days. Then bottle. Every reply I have read is just people...

Yep... I think you are right about the head retention. Does anyone else have any suggestions about our ideas for this brew variation?

When you have young kids everything is different. This is both our second go around and our kids are all teenagers... Which is a whole other story. :D

I'm too much of a beginner to know either way. The only reason that it is in there is because it is in the original recipe I found on this forum.

Ok so here's the plan: .5 lbs of Crystal 60L 1 oz of torrified wheat 1 lb of LME 3 gallons of apple juice 1 tablespoon of fresh ground Ginger Nottingham dry yeast Steep the grains for about 30 minutes. Add the LME and bring to a boil Place Ginger in an infuser and add for the final...

Well... That is what I was thinking as well. That would certainly be the easiest thing to do. Regarding the taste, her favorite wine is Chardonnay so if it turns out fairly dry and tart, then that may be a plus for her. Thanks for the confirmation. What do you think about adding some...

You sound like a great girlfriend much like my wonderful wife. My wife gave me a begginers kit for christmas and we just bottled our first batch together last week and brewed our second batch on the same day. We had a lot of fun together doing it. It will be fun for you both to spend some...