Recent content by mcurtis431

What is everyone's best method for using a blow off tube with a bung type thermowell? Brewed a stout (OG 1.06) over the weekend and fitted with my new thermowell and new stainless steel blow off tube. Woke up the next morning to this. Obviously a lot of krausen, but I thought by using a blow off...

While I understand "when its done", I was more or less looking for experience with quality. Maybe my question was more in regards to aging and not fermenting. Is there any benefit in leaving a beer in the primary after it reaches FG? I typically keg after 21 days and let them age; Depending on...

I am curious if there is a general rule for fermentation and aging times for each style of beer. Based on the recipe database, there are large variances. For example I typically only leave my APA's/IPA's in the primary for 10-14 days and before kegging, but I will leave my Brown Ales and Stouts...

I have always used city water for brewing without water treatments and seem to brew pretty good beers. As with any hobby, I am trying to take it to the next level. I would like to continue using city water, but am curious as to what additions may or may not be needed. I requested a water...

I just purchased a used GE refrigerator to be converted into a kegerator. This is a freezer on top style unit. The freezer appears to be working pretty well (18 degrees F), however the refrigerator will not get below 45F. I was wondering if there is a way to modify the refrigerator to divert...

Thanks for the good information. Still new to the AG game and get a little anxious at times.

Just attempted my first pumpkin ale this past weekend. Everything went well and smelled and tasted great when I transfered into my primary. When I went to pitch my yeast (Wyeast 1056 smack pack) I realized that one of the nutrient packs inside had not opened. Its been 36 hours and still no...

I live in the South and been ordering liquid Wyeast smack packs from AHS. This is about a 2 day shipment so the yeast becomes very warm in these summer months. How does this affect the vitality of the yeast? I noticed my last IPA batch had much slower fermentation that I expected....I read if...

Could it be possible that the sample I took was not very homogeneous? I took the second sample from the top. Would the wort not be more dense near the bottom?

I had a pre boil volume of 6.5 gallons and a post boil volume pretty close to 5 gallons. For some reason, both of my gravity readings turned out to be the exact same. I cooled both samples down to the same temperature. I checked by hydrometer and verified that it is calibrated. How is it...

I am a little confused. I am very new to AG brewing. My first batch was an American IPA with a target OG of 1.062. I used Beer Smith to help create the recipe. After I mashed and sparged I took a gravity reading of the pre-boil and it was around 1.04ish. Beer smith uses this number to caSculate...

I used Wyeast Weihenstephan Weizen 3068. I mashed at around 152 so that could by part of the issue. I also agree that the grain bill is a little underwhelming. Does anyone have a better yeast recommendation?

My second all grain batch I attempted a Hefe. I followed a recipe I found here using 5# pale malt and 3.2# wheat malt. I hit my gravity almost to a tee so I assumed everything would be great. When I racked to the secondary I got a little nervous because it seemed a little light. I bottled couple...

I was nearing the end of the boil of my first ever AG batch, which so happen to be an IPA, where I prepared to add the final hop addition of 1oz Cascade. When I opened the bag and smelled them they seemed to be a little off. Not a terrible smell, just not the classic citrusy smell I expected. I...

I'm feeling lucky!