Recent content by PorterIV

That sounds a little like batch sparging (which I have only done once or twice). Would it help if I just went straight to batch sparging?

I recently purchased the top tier system and two boilermakers to replace my old haphazard cooler system. Well, after having conducted two batches I am encountering 60-62% efficiency. The first run after 45 minutes I tried to bump the heat up on the MT and got a little aggresive with it. So...

Thanks for posting this discussion and the pictures. I brewed on my TT last night for the first time and really liked it. I have some bugs to work out but was curious how to mount the pump and a Therminator (if I move away from the IC).

Just as an update - I went with the Simcoe/Amarillo combo and would say this is the best APA I have made yet. Rave reviews.

I haven't tried mine out yet - busy January - but I think that as long as you use hop bags you don't need the hop blocker. At least I am trying to get by without it. For the drainage hose just use a SS nipple. I grabbed one off of an old cooler conversion kit that works perfectly. 1/2...

Bigelow, I got two for Christmas and had the same issue. As said above I figured that I would have to tip the the faceplate up anyway to see it properly. We will see as I set it up, but it seems to me that the ball valve and the thermometer should be on the same plane. Not as neat from a...

Wow. That is a lot of good information. I think I will probably go with the Amarillo this time around and try one of the others next time. Thanks so much.

I am looking to brew an APA on Wednesday. I love Simcoe hops but not all by themselves. Does anyone have a recommended pairing for them? I was thinking of Citra to try something new, but am open to anything (Amarillo, Chinook and Centennial have also come to mind). Probably would be...

Thanks to you both - I will just relax and enjoy it when it's ready.

Brewstrong with Jamil and John P have at least one full podcast on how to do it. I did a simplified version of Jamil's system once where I sanitized some jelly jars and basically just poured some of the yeast from the bottom of the fermenter into them and then refridgerated. I did let out some...

A glitch in Beer Alchemy that I didn't catch until last night brought to my attention that the Robust Porter I just kegged might be a little high in IBU's. Anyway, I thought I would see what the community thought. I based the recipe off of JZ's robust porter in the Brewing Classic Styles...

Just as a follow up, in case anyone is watching, the WLP029 worked well. At my local club competition one of the tasters noted some "smokiness" which could only be attributable to the yeast. There are a couple things I will change in my process next time, and it still needs to age a little...

Try chewing on a couple of pieces of each. I did this at my LHBS and could tell something of a difference. That being said - I am not sure how much of that translates into the final brew but try it and see what you think.

Very interesting. Thanks for the post.

Chris, I have toddlers too and one thing that helped me a lot was getting a kegging system. I always hated bottling, and it kept me from brewing as much. Kegging, however, is awesome. I can do it after the kids go to bed no problem - one vessel to clean and sanitize versus 50.