Recent content by Spearo

Welcome from the Lakes Region! I got a kit for Christmas last year and am now a full fledged beer geek. I don't know about your area, but there is a really good homebrew supply shop in Nashua...Jasper's. Have fun with your first batch.

The key to a quick cool down (sink or copper coil) is water movement. I use the kitchen sink method (without ice...my well water is about 45F). I can cool down a 4 gal boil in about 20 min with no ice and no wort cooler. It helps that my kettle fits in the sink. I plug the drain, start...

I like Ed's thought. I would take it one step further: If you purchase a lot from your LHBS store, then negotiate with the store; "Hey, I am spending $$$ with you and at this volume, I could do better buying direct. How about I keep buying from you, and you cut me a %% discount?" There are...

:confused: If everyone had this view, we would be buying everything from Amazon and Walmart. Grain and hop prices are up. The LHBS stores are doing the same as they always have; they buy in bulk, add their markup and resell it to us. If their prices go up, our prices go up. The online...

I would brew the same batch again and see if the unusual taste remains. If so, i would try bottled water for a batch and see if that changes the taste.

I tried searching for info in whether people preferred Apfelwein carbed or still. Good lord almighty, there is way too much info on Apfelwein! (I guess I am adding to the heap). My first batch should be ready by Christmas. Should I carb or not? What do you prefer?

I am getting ready to do my 3rd PM. I have read a lot about mash techniques from the Joy of Home Brewing, BYO mag and, of course, HBT. I have concluded that there are many techniques and many opinions. What are some resources for some more in-depth info regarding mashing? In particular, I am...

Is there any benefit/effect of finishing a cool fermentation with a couple days at warmer temps? I am fermenting a stout. I had it in the primary for a week at 70F. It has been in the secondary at 62F for about 10days now. I plan on bottling after 14 days. My questions is based on a nagging...

I was atthe local pub last week and there was a rep from Sam Adam's there pouring two preview tastings. They were soliciting feedback as only one of the two will make it to next years offering. One was an Irish Red Ale, the other was a Dunkelweizen. I thought the Irish Red was good, but almost...

Count me in on the Boston area buy. I will take two to four carboys.

I'll be there (the GIBF in Providence) for Saturday's daytime session. If any HBTers would like to meet to toss one back, PM me.

I would like to try lagering, but I have been hesitant...most of the recipes I have looked at call for lagering at 32-35F. Unfortunately I don't have a beer fridge. My basement gets down to a steady 45F in winter. Is this cold enough to do a lager?

I noticed The Pol did a thru-wall thermometer on his 10g cooler MLT. What's the best way to seal the hole in the cooler to prevent leaks. Looked like he used a rubber stopper. Anyone know of a compression fitting that might seal around the thermometer?

I would think that after all is said an done. You would be better off buying an ethernet controller or PLC that has analog inputs and use a thermocouple or RTD input to the controller. I would question the accuracy of a DIY thermometer. Not all electronic components have the same tolerances...

I brewed a Scottish Ale and also threw together a batch of EdWort's Apfelwein. This was my first time doing the Apfelwein. Too bad brewing isn't that easy.