Recent content by Epimetheus

Recently I decided to sell all my HB equipment. My other hobby is HO scale trains, and I have time and resources for 1 of 2. I found some HB bottles that were 4 to 5 years old. Popped several, and they foamed all over the place. A batch of porter and a batch of generic golden ale. Of COURSE...

A fine recipe, I will give it a try. And that is one heck of a head to keep the beer from spilling out.

If the steel oxidized, you would see some discoloration directly on the steel. The zinc oxidized black as you can see on the screw. Something else is going on here, I don't have enough info to determine exactly what is causing the discoloration on the outside of the hose. This will not help...

by the pound, then home brewers can make their own splits. I only mail-order 1 lb bags and I would split unfamiliar or specialty hops with a friend. You gotta make 2 or 3 batches with a new hop to learn it, which uses at least 8 oz.

I thought my single hydrometer was accurate. I have been trying to estimate the efficiency of my mash process and now have no idea. :(

Note this uses a store brand cereal and does not use the proprietary name "Froot Loops" Is it possible to capture the essential artificial flavors and sweetness of fruit loops cereal? I finally threw together a small extract batch to test it. This is purposefully lower alcohol and low...

'zactly what I was thinking. But then I read the electric brewing suggestions and they are much better for apartment living. If you are outside on the ground floor there are kids, and worse, the curious can-I-poke-at-that adults. There are many ways to get around the limitations of electric...

This has good information with descriptions of the effects of each mineral: Reading a Water Report "How to Brew", John Palmer, Chapter 15

Do you use irish moss to help settle the trub?

Malta Goya in 7 oz brown twist-offs. I have successfully capped these and 6 months later the last brew was fine. A big imperial like your 12% will take 12 months to season. I think the capping will last at least that long. But really, fill up some 12 or 22 oz bottles and share them...

The app's website has a link to "Check its excellent ratings". Unfortunately the link is dead as is the whole site. This does not inspire confidence. Perhaps this software will inspire others to do better.

You can definitely get away without boiling all of it at once, and only need to boil a gallon or so for the hops. Yes, I know there will be less oils released in a smaller boil batch probably because the oils are more concentrated. It will be good beer. Wort is boiled to remove DMS (dimethyl...

That's more like a black IPA. Which is not bad. If you still want a Porter, then the bitterness should be way down.

I made a smoked porter of 5 gal with 2 lbs cherry wood smoked malt. The smoke was strong, not a killer. My son said it taste like bacon. IMO three to five lbs would be OK for a 10 gallon batch.

A steamer basket can make it easier to lift the bag of wet grain. You can also squish down on the bag in the basket to extract more malty goodness. Whatever works for you.