Recent content by spiff2268

What would be a good dry yeast substitute?

I don't know, man. I'm gonna need a few bottles for testing.

Really? I'm doing an IPA right now and I've been worried because this recent cold spell been keeping the part of my house where my fermenter is in the low-mid 60s. Glad to hear I'm good.

Dude, just looking at that is stirring up some ptsd.

There's something to be said about electric stoves with the classic coil heating elements. I usually do my boil outside on a propane burner, but if it's windy or raining I do it in the kitchen. It takes awhile, but my stove will eventually get 6-6.5 gallons of wort to a good boil.

Wouldn't be too worried. Over the summer I had a problem with my heat pump the very day after brewday. For a few days I had to turn off the AC when I went to work so the temperature in my house was getting up to around 80. Still turned out great.

I keep my Starsan in a spray bottle. When it comes to the carboy I just pour in a few ounces, swish it around to coat the inside, then dump it out. It's worked so far.

Just remember to do a nice easy swirl. Just enough to get things moving.

You could get a meat thermometer with a cord at Bed Bath and Beyond. Just put the end in the fridge and the cord should be thin enough to make a good seal.

Had the same problem with my last batch. The day after I brewed my AC went on the blink. I had to turn it off during the day so temps in my house were pushing 80 F. Your bad taste may be fusel alcohols. They may cause headaches, but they won't kill you. As for me I got lucky. My batch...

Damn good advice! I'll keep that in mind if something like this happens again. Right now I'm sipping on some leftover that I tossed in the freezer before I took the dogs for a walk. Homebrew and Hokie football. Does it get any better?

Just smelled and tasted and I think I'm gonna be OK.

Thanks, all! I'm getting ready to bottle right now, so I'll give it the ole smell test. Even if it's bad, though, I'll power through it. I ain't throwing out nothin'!!

And what are "fusels"?

No, the fermentation time seemed to be normal, as did the activity level.