Recent content by morrasy

Nope, it's WLP004, the Irish Ale Yeast

Are you sure you have five gallons and aren't a little short? It's normal to lose 1-2 gallons to evaporation during the boiling process. Just having five gallons of water prior to brewing will not be enough. Also, did you stir up your wort before you took your sample? If it settled and you...

I was thinking of doing a starter just to make sure. Here's another question. Can I brew up my wort today along with my starter and then add my starter in a couple days when it's ready? Is it ill advised to let the wort sit for a couple days before pitching?

I've had a White Labs vile of yeast in my fridge for a couple weeks and today when I went to start my brew, I noticed the yeast was seperated and kind of clumpy. I shook it up a little which helped but it still has a couple clumps in it. I gues they may go away with more agitation but I haven't...

I have this kit brewing right now from More Beer. I can't wait for it to be ready.... http://morebeer.com/view_product/18411/

The berries were picked fresh, washed and then frozen. Thanks for the advice, I think I will do as you said and go for it. I'll post the results in a couple weeks.

The berries were picked fresh, washed and then frozen. Thanks for the advice, I think I will do as you said and go for it. I'll post the results in a couple weeks.

I'm making a blackberry wheat and have completed the primary fermentation. I have heard two schools of thought when it comes to adding fruit to your beer. First, to sterilize it by steeping the berries in 150 deg. water for fifteen minutes before introducing it to the secondary. But my local...

My fridge will be in my garage too. Does anyone have any experience with the Thermowell system? It looks pretty nice but kinda expensive.

I recently picked up a used full size fridge that I want to convert into my fermenting space and make it temp controlled. I see there are a few different ways to do this, morebeer has the thermowell system that works with the thermowrap and I've also heard of people using heating lamps. I'm sure...

I'm sorry, I'm very new to this. What is steeping? Do you actually put them in the 160F water?

I want to do a blackberry hefe but I've never put fruit in any of my beers before. I've got a ton of blackberry bushes around my house so I'm thinking I'll give it a go. I've read on here that they should be pasturized. Can someone explain to me how to do that? Is it just a low boil? Also at...

what was the temp of your sample when you read it? If it was 76 degrees that would be a problem. Most hydrometers are calibrated to read correctly at 60 degrees.

Try using a grain bag for your bittering hops. I do this all the time and have had good success. You should increase your boiling time 10% if you do this though to achieve the same amount of hopy goodness.

Check Craigslist. A lot of people get rid of kits there cheap.