Recent content by SaintBenedict

Well, I decided to go with the US-05. I had already prepared the wort, so I pitched the yeast dry. The boil went well, even though I did end up with a lower OG than I had hoped (I clocked in around 1.062, while I was shooting for 1.074). Oh well, in the end it was still a good evening. Thanks...

That sounds perfect. I will definitely keep my eyes open for it while building my next batch. Thanks for the heads-up!

Thanks for all the feedback. I suppose my concern about basement temperature is that it seems to be on the lower side of ideal fermentation temps for many yeast varieties, at least as far as I can tell. Getting the boil going now…and keeping my fingers crossed. :D

Hi, I am brewing 2.5 gallon batch of an imperial stout which, according to the recipe, should yield an ABV of around 10% (though, with my efficiency, I'd be happy with 8% or so). The original recipe, adapted from a Brooklyn Brew Shop recipe, calls for Safbrew T-58. However, after reading...

Well, you were right about that. Assuming that I made my measurements (somewhat) correctly, my IPA is weighing in around 4.8%. Here are the numbers: OG: 1.048 Temperature: 82° FG: 1.014 Temperature: 68° ABV: 4.8%

After the first two or three days, I didn't notice any activity in the sanitizer/water solution at the end of the blow off tube, and not a peep when I put on the airlock. Though, I am bottling tonight and intend to test the wort to see how it's coming along. One difference that I noticed is...

Nifty trick—thanks!

Thanks for your input and the advice about getting a refractometer; you're the second person to suggest using one. I'm looking to move to 2.5 gallon batches, so hopefully removing the amount of wort to test OG won't be an issue, no matter which way I decide to go.

Thanks for your reply. I put a solution of StarSan and water in a three piece airlock. Given the design of this particular airlock, is it possible for the sanitizer and water to get drawn back into the carboy? Interesting to note that the makers of the kit project the ABV for this IPA at...

Just curious if anyone has ever bothered to take a hydrometer reading on the one gallon BBS Everyday IPA kit. I brewed my first batch a couple weeks ago, and as far as I could tell the reading was 1.048 with the yeast pitched at approximately 82°. According to Dave's Dreaded Homebrew Calculator...

Good to know. I considered bottling some of my next batch in one or two one-liter bottles. Thanks.

Approximately how long does it take for a 22 oz. or 750ml bottle take to carbonate? I understand that a 12 oz. bottle takes about two weeks for most beers. Thanks.

Haha. I've read a few stories here about the effects of Apfelwein—thanks for the reminder! :)

Thanks. I've got an all grain IPA in the works that's already about two weeks along. I will probably bottle in a few days, and with any luck will have something semi-drinkable around the end of the month. :) In the meantime, I've started a couple of apfelwein batches and plan on brewing a stout...

Sound advice. Gonna do just that. Thanks.