Recent content by Owlbar

Sometimes I wonder if all of the BMC butt kissing (world class beer, etc.) is just a backlash to all of the BMC bashing that goes on. I usually don't buy any beer that Budweiser, Miller, or Coors is affiliated with (including "craft" beers), just because the whole monolithic corporation thing...

I feel your pain man, WV had a 6% cap up until July 1. I made the first beer over 7% I ever tasted (an Old Ale w/Cascades). Honestly though, you can make some damn good beer on your own and for a lot cheaper (well....depending on how much you like gadgets) than you can buy. A lot of people...

I don't have any experience with gruit, but 5lbs of barley seems awfully low for a 5 gallon batch. Are you using a specific recipe? If not I'm sure there is something on HBT. Just use the search function. Also, if you are confused about mashing and sparging procedures, a good resource is How...

Well, in that case.....I defer to Orfy.

I may be stating the obvious, but in your description of your process you didn't mention boiling the wort. If I'm thinking correctly, grains are loaded with wild yeast which are killed by boiling the wort. This could be a source of contamination.

I'm not sure how this slipped past me, but the ABV cap on beer in WV was raised from 6% to 12% on July 1! As soon as I found out I went to Slight Indulgence in Morgantown and bought some Harpoon IIPA, Samuel Smith's Imperial Stout, Great Lakes Oktoberfest and Elliot Ness, Ayinger Celabrator...

I can't believe I hadn't heard this earlier, but apparently the law went into effect July 9. I haven't seen anything different in the stores, but I guess I haven't been looking in the right place. It looks like Slight Indulgence has some trappist beers and IIPAs now

On a side note I've heard that they will be lifting the cap on abv from 6% to 12% have you heard anything about this? I hope they do, then we can actually get some good beer in WV. I'm not sure when it is supposed to start

If you are doing extract kits, there is a store on High Street called Slight Indulgence. I think they have hopped extract kits and maybe some specialty grains. They do have some really basic equipment (airlocks, stoppers, a few carboys, etc). You're better off just going to Pittsburgh or...

Solar energy can be stored in battery banks (expensive) or sold back to the electric company for later use (very cheap). It is not only useful during the day. But you're probably joking anyway, I guess.

"Despite the cost of living, it is still popular" My friend has this one on his 1989 Ford Festiva

The worst beer I've ever had is Mountaineer Brewing Co. Nut Brown Ale. They are the only brewery in WV (to my knowledge) so inevitably someone will bring over a six pack thinking "oh, this is some local beer, let's try it." Too bad it tastes like *ssh*les boiled in vinegar with some hazelnut...

11861+5=11866

I agree with you regarding Slipknot, etc. But there are plenty of modern metal bands whose roots you can trace back to the earlier style. For example, lots of so called folk or viking metal bands have elements of power metal (i.e. Iron Maiden, Dio). If you want an example I would point you...