Recent content by Fransjoe

I wrapped the fermenter in 2 throw blankets I have from IKEA, those things warm up fast, we use them to not turn the heater on in winter here in SF. Hopefully they'll work as a good insulator

Ok, raising the temp is my issue, I don't have a fermenting chamber, so it's in the basement where temps range from 58 to 68, it's been fairly constant and comfortable down there. Using 5 gal bucket to ferment, dont have anything that would raise temp, and SWMBO will not allow me to bring it up...

Update: took another hydrometer reading and it's still the same gravity, should I consider it stuck? And any ideas to bring it back?

When SWMBO, In-laws and Pastor sermon you on the dangers of your soul for making a hopped barley tea...(this is before pitching the yeast).

Using the ppg, how can I figure the OG? It's a partial mash from LHBS with specialty grains

It's a kit with a partial mash, 5lbs of LME, the rest in specialty grains. Using cascade additions at 60, 30, and flame out

I already have 46 Lagunitas IPA bottles donated by a co worker, I was hoping to use the TJ bottles for the excess beer I'll have, since I'm 10 bottles short

Or it could be that the empire (Disney) got to him

Saw some green swingtops at Trader Joe's the other day. Filled with Ginger Ale, but had me thinking; at $2.99 each, it is cheaper than trying the LHBS or looking for swing top beers to collect the bottles. Anyone tried these?

Was YouTube surfing last night, SWMBO comes in and starts saying that homebrew and beer is becoming an obsession. Found a home wine making video, she actually started to pay attention. I have a 2 bucket system and am willing to sacrifice one to her wishes. Now she's looking a plum wine recipe...

Any brewers in San Mateo? If so, let's organize a clinic for noobs (me included). I'd love to learn better techniques and how to build a recipe.

Update: took a hydrometer reading it's at 1.018, target is 1.009 so it appears to be going so far. Unfortunately SWMBO was giving me a hard time about my brewing assistant so I forgot to take the OG. Will check again in a week or so to see what's going on

It's all in the marketing, look how everyone went crazy for plastic triangles with ball bearings in the center.

I was thinking a red IPA with a hint of vanilla and possibly some Cascade as a dry hop addition, using Fuggles as main bittering

I'm trying to think of a recipe that could be considered a Corellian Ale, any ideas?