Recent content by Bob Loblaw

grain would help ad some more complex flavors, but no, you don't need that extra stuff unless you want to. I never have and my beer is great.

I use plastic buckets too. Does the plastic really block/dampen the UV light? All my primaries are always in my dark cellar so there is no light unless I am in there.

My smoked porter is just finished conditioning, its great! Just use a little bit. I used 2 oz of peat smoked (?) for a 5 gal batch. The smoke can be strong.

this is a good bit though, smart move your popeness http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080417/D903R8MG0.html

yeah buckets are the **** man! Spigots save a ton of time and money. Just get use bigger ones (mine are 8.5 gal) so you have plenty of head room so you don't need a blow-off tube.

beer fridge!

finish your boil and cool (that will take awhile anyways). 3-6 hrs is ideal, so just warm it with your hands to speed things up and pitch it when your wort is cool. hope it turns out good!

buckets are awesome....

in my experience, smack-packs are slow to start by themselves. So yes, making a starter is good.

the apple wine is good, so are fruit beers such as huckleberrywizen, or raseberry.. or whatever they like... start with a base beer and start modifying....

don't be a girl, cook with it!

yep, had mine over today as well (the inlaw dad, actually but he is cool). Sampled the latest and sent him home with a few.

man, can I come work for you. I have a BS on July 25th and need a job. I love brewing (I make it for my family and my wife's). I could definitely see myself in this field long term. I have worked construction/roofing/computers/army (infantry & tanks for 6 yrs)/materials management/office...

what about a white ale, that is really good fresh (I think, its a sam adams), can you force carb that, THEN just fill up all your spare bottles and let age @ full carbonation? Just thinking of speeding up the overall production if you can force carb THEN let your bottles sit and you can enjoy...

buy bigger carboys. 8 gal buckets are the way to go, LOTS of headroom & spigots are so easy to work with.