Recent content by CaptChet

I bought candi sugar and the recipe calls for candi syrup. Any difference? For the sugar do you just stir it in a little at a time? PS- My first all grain batch, so I want to have as many bugs worked out before we start. Thanks!

+1 on the thief. Its a must for carboys. Also make sure that your OG reading is taken from a well mixed wort, if not, the wort (which is heavier than water) sinks to the bottom and your sample, taken from the top is from less dense liquid. This results in a much lower SG reading. Good Luck!

Well here is what I did after doing some research. I washed the oranges in hot water and then again with starsan. Sanitized the zester, measuring cup and spoon etc. Zested 3 med. oranges ( approx 1oz ) added just enough water to make a slurry and microwaved for 25 secs to release the orange...

So I just peel a few oranges and toss in the peel? Or do the peels need soaked in vodka and then dump the vodka in?

Nice. My wife graduated from Blackhawk in 02' and also grew up in SB. My inlaws still live there and I still hunt on the farm.

LOl, what are the odds of that? I see we are about the same age, did you graduate from BFHS? Thanks for the response!

Quick question. I have a batch of Belgium Wit still on the yeast for about 2 weeks now. Flavor was terrible at first but has really come along nicely. However I am looking for a bit more orange flavor. I have about a week to go in the primary before bottle time. My question is: Can I do...

Ditto! Sometimes you can find cases that are a variety pack or hit a local watering hole that serves craft brews and sample the lot and like smitty said take some notes. Find a tasting website and do a little reading so you know what to look for when tasting brews. Good Luck!

Thanks! Well for the second batch I tried a Belgium Wit recipe that I found on here. But some of the info was erroneous and said to mash flaked wheat by itself. So not knowing any better at the time I did. But I know different now. I also got recipes mixed up and bought a hefe yeast and had...

Thanks for the input it helped with me decision. I read Palmers section on MLT's several times now. I think I will prob do a 10 gal. drink style cooler so grain bed has good depth on the 5gal batches. I will prob use a manifold also so both batch and continous sparge can be accomplished. I do...

Moving my way towards AG brewing and have been looking at both drink dispenser and chest cooler styles for a Mash Tun. Any pro/cons to either. I am going to go at least 10 gal either way. I am a DIY'er so I plan to make it myself. :mug:

Naked Pint is a good read.

That would make a great maple sap boiler if you cant use it for HB'ing. Lots of surface area for evaporation.

I finally got to bottle my first batch tonight! :ban: The wife and I bottled 2 cases of Oktoberfest and the last splash was splendid IMO. As long as the bottle conditioning goes well, we'll be enjoying in a few weeks! Thanks to all those who answered my newbie questions! :mug: Chris...

Welcome! Looks like you have just about all covered to get started. If you are looking for little things to help out with the process, maybe pick up a temp. indicator strip that sticks on the side of the fermenter. It helps ease the worries of us noobs and also allows you catch any run away...