Recent content by homebrewnewb86

the main thing I'm worried about is that I ruined a 5 gallons+6.5 gallons of ale. A porter and an APA. I just tasted the porter, it's only been in the bottle a week, but it tastes like soap

I used the 5.4 pH balancer in my last two brews. I didn't read the label clearly and used WAY more than I was supposed to. I think my beer is probably ruined, but I don't want to dump it until I have some solid info. I used at least 1 full cup of this stuff for a 5 gallon batch, and...

I had a question about dry hopping. I have a basic APA 5 gallon batch, with approx 32-34 IBUs . About how much and how long to dry hop for an extra kick of aroma? I don't want it to be pungent, just a good floral whiff. I have whole-leaf golding hops. I'm about to transfer from primary (10...

What if I were to dry hop? Would that change my boiling/hop schedule?

I'm using a rectangle igloo cooler for lautering, a standard kettle (7 gal) for the mash. I was thinking about using a crystal malt for the color and a little sweetness. Replacing the lb of pils malt with an extra lb of crystal 20 lovibond. I like the black patent idea though. Could I do both?

After 4 successful batches of partial mash brewing -2 are original recipies- I'm taking the plunge. I have lot of time to nail down the recipe because assembling the equipment is getting d@mned expensive (at least for my budget). I have never made an all-grain brew. I'm attempting a simple...

I'm gearing up to do my first all grain brew. I'm researching recipes to find a suitable first all grain attempt. Any suggestions would be great, especially for a pale ale or IPA. I'm trying to get 5-5.5 gallons of finished product. Ingredients I already have and need to use: -Flaked barley 10...

I just read in another thread to not worry about fermentation delays, and to wait 24-72 hours for activity to begin... I thought that I had somehow killed my yeast. About 36 hours had passed with zero activity. The original pitch: I added about 1 1/2 cups of wort to a sterile mason jar and...

So... about the waiting 24-72 hours for signs of fermentation to begin. I thought that I had somehow killed my yeast. I added about 1 1/2 cups of wort to a sterile mason jar and added my room temp liquid yeast, shook vigorously. This is my first non-kit brew, by the way. I added more yeast...