Recent content by ognam

Thanks for the help. Let's see if I got this right... I spread it out across a coffee filter on top of a cooling rack, with another filter on top, and had a box fan (from across the room) blowing gently over the top of it. I flipped the whole thing once after a few hours. The next day...

Seems like you have experience with this, so I am going to ask, because I am having trouble finding information on this stuff anywhere. I bought some from Jim in UK (www.gingerbeerplant.net) and it seems to be working ok. I have brewed 3 batches which taste pretty good. I don't drink it...

Andy - Seems like you could reach out to the beer cling guys.... Your designs + Their printed vinyl re-usable labels = Winner! Could be a beautiful partnership. I would buy those for brews that I repeat, and download the designs (to print on regular, non-reusable paper labels) for...

I am very inexperienced at this, but on the third year of growing Halltertauer and Cascades. The Japanese Beetles are by far my worst problem. I am avoiding the use of chemicals, and they're tough to keep up with. They don't bother the actual hops, but I believe they're affecting the...

In looking at the report, most of those things are listed, but there's still a substantial imbalance... what does that mean? They are failing to report something that makes up 1.4 mEq/L? I guess I find that hard to believe. I have contacted the water director with a couple initial questions...

I live in Elgin, IL and the city posts a nice Water Quality report which contains (I think) everything I need to know, but I need some help to interpret (as I am no chemist). The actual report is at: City of Elgin, Illinois - Official Website - Water Quality Total Alkalinity - 79, pH -...

So, how did this go for those that brewed it? I am planning to brew this tomorrow as Walker's Reserve is also my favorite porter available right now...

Hey - How'd this turn out?? I am venturing down a similar path and looking for more recipe help...

Is there any more risk in using 22 oz. bombers for highly carbonated beer? I plan to bottle my Duvel-esque recipe this week, and only have a few Belgian bottles (and no corks), but an ample supply of 22 oz. bombers and standard caps. I was planning to carb to ~3.8 volumes (for fear of going...

I agree with all of these (I have numerous Sam Adams and New Belgium, and one case of Budweiser). Althought all three of these have embossed logos in the glass. Many microbrews use plain glass bottles. Rogue, Bells, Three Floyds, Dogfish Head, are ones I can think of that I have purchased...

From all I have read on here, US-05 and Notty are fairly similar in characteristics. They are both high attenuating yeasts that don't have a large flavor profile. Somebody with more experience in comparing these, please chime in. This is going to be my next brew, and I have both yeasts...

Anyone know about the sulfur dioxide? Will this affect the beer in any way? I am trying the apricot thing also, but due to the season, I can only find dried apricots. They are not labelled "organic" but also do not call out sulfur dioxide. In case they do contain this preservative, do I...

I am looking at brewing an apricot hefe also, but see no results here... Jeff - Did you use puree? If so, how much and how did it turn out?

Not absolutely sure, but I don't think my oven will maintain a temperature less than 200F... Even still, I will remove the racks and put the kettle in there for the duration of the mash (usually 60m or so). Temps seem to remain pretty stable, I might lose a degree or two around the outside...

I am also in the Chicago area, but really want to get my hands on some Pliny... anyone know how? (Trying to decide which hoppy beer to brew next...)