Recent content by dmcclain

I've not used maple syrup, but I do use honey in my IPA. I add it late in the boil. Give it just enough time to blend, but not much boil.

Did a porter with oak and vanilla. Added the beans (split down the length) into a tertiary for 2 weeks after a secondary with oak for 2 weeks. Been in bottles since July so I don't know if it worked or not, but could taste it all pretty well in my final hydrometer sample. I'll let you know...

I'd go with .5 oz of the Columbus at 60min. Then .5oz of each Cascade and Citra (so total of 1 ounce) at 20/15/10/5/0 with 3oz of Simcoe for 7 days in a dry hop. I have made an IPA with a similar grain bill and the IBU are upper 80s with a full ounce of Columbus FWH. I use Amarillo with the...

Thank you for all the help!

Martin, I've reached out again and asked about the Mg level. If they truly are that high, you'd think we'd have a run on Immodium here on the southside. I just moved out of Indy and into Bargersville in January so maybe I'm just not feeling the effects yet. Thanks for your help. I'll let you...

I've noticed quite a "bite" so far in the two batches I've been able to drink with this water. The IPA wasn't half bad, but the Cream Ale suffered from it. Hopefully the Stout (secondary), IPA (Kegged) and Cream Ale (primary) aren't dumpers because of it. I'm sorry for all of the questions...

From my understanding, the water utility in Bargersville attempts to soften the water. My guess is that the sodium is a residual from that process. I would think the low calcium might be an indicator of this as well. I questioned the Mag also and was told that was ppm and the info is from the...

Nevermind... I'm going to use RO water from Walmart and add gypsum, calcium chloride, magnesium sulfate and lactic acid. The EZ water spreadsheet is awesome!

I don't have the entire profile, yet. I have emailed the local utility and this is what I have so far... Soduim 116 Calcium 43 Magnesium 100+ Alk 224 PH 8.0 I know I can change the PH, but the Mag level is what has me worried. Is there anything I can do to lower it? What is the effect of...

This is a fantastic idea! I'd always wondered about hops in the keg to try and hang on to the aroma a little longer but worried about pellets running free and clogging the dip tube and the same thing with a bag. The teaball is perfect! I'm going to get one tonight and drop some simcoe into my...

I was wondering the same. I've always tried to chill the wort as quickly as possible to keep my beer clear. I would certainly give up a bit of clarity for great flavor.

Don't order anything time sensitive from Midwest. I had a brew day planned for Saturday and ordered my grains from them. They still haven't shipped so I'm moving on to plan B and hitting my LHBS after work on Friday. Prices are good, but don't expect anything for at least 2 weeks after ordering.

I always wrap my carboys in a towel and secure around the neck with a clip that I can also attach the temp probe from my Johnson Control to. Why wrap them in a freezer? I have to use an old shop light to keep the temp from going too cold in the winter.

I have an SP10 and brewed 4 times with it so far. The black paint looks like crap now, but it works really well. When I've brewed in the garage (wind/rain) it is pretty noisy, but out on the patio it's not bad at all. I'm in a pretty open area and fight the wind quite a bit. The wind shield...

I don't think there is a style out there that I haven't sampled, but if I'm wrong I will happily indulge! :) My point in this thread was just to get some suggestions from the community. With all the possibilities, the voices in my head were creating too much noise and I was hoping for a little...