Recent content by jbeauchamp

I am brewing today!!! I am making an IPA from a kit a friend had purchased before he decided to stop brewing. I am also making a Sweet Potatoe Ale. I got the recipe from this site. I Yam what I Yam Ale. Hope it is good, if nothing else it should get you drunk at 1.085.

Knowing what I know now, I would have started with AG instead of extracts. The biggest question is going to be, are you going to stick with it? If you are undecided you may want to do a couple stove top brews. If you enjoy the process and the beer, then move to AG. BTW - An 8 gallon boil...

I would like to start buying hops in bulk. Not huge amounts but a pound or two at a time. How do you all store your bulk hops after you have opened the package? I can store them in the freezer or fridge but the wife does not want all the food smelling/tasting like hops. Any Suggestions?

I have been brewing for almost two years. This year alone I have made 100 gallons of beer. I have never had to dump a batch. I sure hope my streak continues.

I will stir my mash when I mash in and then about 30 minutes into the mash. After that, just let it sit. As for the manifold, I think you will be fine, you just need to run a bunch of wort into a pitcher to set the bed. Pour the wort back into the MLT carefully and you will be okay. I...

22,618 + 5 of Bourbon Porter + 5 of Nut Brown Ale = 22,628

I brewed 10 gallons today. I was going to go to a TAFTBD thing, but the wife went shopping so I had to stay with the kids. Oh well, I was able to brew two 5 gallon batches, a porter and a brown. It was a good day.

That is pretty damn cool!!!!

I normally put Irish Moss in all my brews. I did not use Irish Moss in a couple brews a few months ago because I was drinking to much while brewing and spaced it off. Those brews came out pretty cloudy. It does not change the flavor, but sure makes them look nicer if you are using clear...

I have carpet in my basement. I put down some tile in the bathroom though. I really don't like carpet in bathrooms. It works great, keeps the basement a little warmer. If you don't have water problems, I would suggest you go with carpet. Also, if you have a sump pump, I would suggest a...

26182 + 10 = 26192 5 of IPA 5 of Belgium Ale (Phat Tyre)

Could the color difference be attributed to trub from the boil kettle? Did you use hop pellets? If so, they could have gotten into the fermentation vessels at different intervals and that could change the color.

I would compare the recipes of the beers you brew most. Then, buy a sack of each of the grains you use the most. I am going to assume the base malt in going to be 2 Row Pale. That should be at least 1 maybe 2 of the 3 bags you buy.

One of the best things about brewing is the fact that I have up to 4 good beers on tap and I don't have to go to the pub. When I go to the pub, I usually spend $50 easily. I don't drink the cheap beers on special. I drink the high quality beers. With that being said, I can brew 5 gallons of...