Recent content by HenryKDuff

Both judges mentioned "butterscotch". I had one of my remaining bottles last night and I just don't taste it. I did detect a slick mouth feel, however. I think I need to follow your earlier advice and try one of these next to a similar IPA that I'm confident is diacetyl free and see if I can...

I certainly wasn't challenging the judges verdict and I'm pretty happy with my scores overall - the comments from both amounted to "diacetyl detracts from an otherwise good IPA". I only have a few bottles left, but I will definitely save a couple for comparison as I had already planned on...

The IPA was judged by two judges, one National and one Recognized. They both indicated diacetyl. I'd rather have a beer I find delicious than one that pleases strangers (certified or not), but it is interesting to get notes from experienced people who have no incentive to save your feelings.

I only mentioned oxidation because something I came across mentioned introducing too much oxygen in transfer as a possible diacetyl cause. I aerated with O2 and didn't have any lag time issue. I haven't been hydrating my dry yeast, so I suppose underpitching is possible. I'll rehydrate (or...

I just received the results from my first competition - a recently brewed IPA (14B) I (and every civilian who tasted it) absolutely loved and a porter (12B) I brewed a year ago and happened to have some bottles left. Of course, my beloved IPA received a pedestrian 24.5 and the porter I...

If you scale back or eliminate the CaraAroma, should you replace it with an equal amount of another grain, or just eliminate it?

I've been researching pilsner recipes (I should soon have a basement fridge I can devote to lagering) and noticed most of them involved decoction. After a great deal of researching/googling decoction, I've decided I'd like to avoid it if possible and would much rather try using Melanoidin malt...

Reply! - Count me in

I'm going to brew this recipe this weekend and have one question - am I reading the 90 minute boil/first hops at 60 minutes right? What is the purpose of boiling for 30 minutes before the first hop addition? I'm sure there is one, but I'm curious.

5g Commonroom ESB - 1/7 5g Pipeline Porter - 1/14 2083.5

I got good results using BIAB with a single dunk sparge. I only moved to a more conventional AG system due to the bag limitations (couldn't find a big enough bag to do bigger beers) and realizing how easy it was to convert my 10 gallon cooler with a ball valve and kettle screen. I got...

I've used Ghiardelli Unsweetened Cocoa (10 oz) added with 10 minutes left in the boil with great results in a Porter.

Thanks - that was my next question - if an extra inch is ok, how about an extra 4-5 inches? I don't know if I need the 15g kettle yet (it would be nice to be able to do 10g batches), but it's good to know I won't necessarily have to upgrade my burner to do so.

I'm trying to decide if I want to jump on a pretty good 10g boil kettle deal on CL (the spike brewing deal being discussed in a couple other threads). My concern is that the kettle is 14" in diameter and my propane burner (turkey fryer) is only 12 3/4". Will the burner work effectively with...

I'm in the middle of my first go at yeast washing. The trub + water is sitting and settling as I type. However, the yeast cake had a strong apple odor to it. The sample tasted fine (it's the Bells Two Hearted clone from the recipe section). Should I Relax, Don't Worry Keep Yeast Washing or...