Recent content by spiny_norman

Does anyone know if Vinnie feeds the bugs? I did this a few months ago according to Vinnie's schedule: brewed a base beer, mashing high (156), moved that off the yeast onto dried sour cherries and toasted french oak cubes soaked in Pinot. Pitched Brett and then two months later the bugs...

I recently purchased a 15 gallon HLT and a 15 gallon mash tun, and I was so impressed with the quality and performance (and the reasonable price point) that I just ordered a kettle / whirlpool of the same size. Same observation with the nylon gaskets though, sometimes you have to fiddle a bit...

Did you ever get a response? I have a ~$700 deposit with them and they're not answering emails and the phone number on the paypal receipt has been disconnected...

Downtown Johnny Brown's is also... downtown; they have an excellent draft selection. Also check out The Local. Also check this out: http://beermapping.com/maps/citymaps.php?m=sandiego

I hadn't considered a budget, but was expecting north of a 1,000 bucks, south of 2,000. I have the tools / can turn my hand to most things, except for welding, so I've been shying away from the keg conversion option.

Hi all, The time has come to replace all of my plastic, so the Igloo coolers have to go. I'm reaching out for vendor recommendations, preferably options that won't require re-mortgaging the house (as much as I like the Blichmann gear). I do 5 gallon batches, but capacity to increase to 10...

I'm going to do an IPA with Nelson and Sorachi Ace. Somehow I have acquired a large bag of lemons, and was toying with the idea of squeezing the juice of half a dozen lemons into the boil kettle. Anyone done this? Am I setting myself up for disappointment?

For the downtown area, here are a couple more to add to the list: Neighborhood bar (Neighborhood) Downtown Johnny Brown's Mission Brewery

Austin Homebrew, but I don't know if it's this year's crop as there is no date on the website. I assumed it was this years as I didn't recall seeing it listed until very recently.

Anyone used these before? Do they play well with other varieties? Was thinking of doing a single hop IPA, with a small Rye addition; 1.065 OG.

I do this all the time. 4 weeks in the carboy, and then I cold crash at 32F for 4 or 5 days. I do a C02 push to transfer the beer to the keg* (after flushing the keg with C02) so as to not disturb the yeast cake. It sits for 3 weeks cold while it's carbonating, and the first 1/4 pint is...

Of you could just use US-05. It's the same strain, much higher cell count, and significantly cheaper.

Can anyone recommend an up to date bulk supplier for Simcoe and Amarillo hops (by the lb) for the 2011 crop (pellets)? And if they're available yet.

It takes me forever to heat my HLT and strike water, and I reckon I could reduce my brew day by a good 3 hours if I can get hot water on demand. Ground water is typically around 65 degrees. I have a carbon filter for the water in-let, which will significantly lower the water pressure (would...

Quite honestly, I've stopped using gelatin. Whirfloc in the boil, cold crash for 1 week at 32 at the end of fermentation, and then another 2 weeks cold crash while it's carbonating (set-and-forget). First half-pint is cloudy, and it's crystal clear after that until the keg is blown. If I'm...