Recent content by thenbagis

Thanks for the quick response. Gila, sounds like a good rule of thumb. XXguy, I'll use the mrmalty calculator for now on, but I think it if says more than 1 packet, I'll go with 2. Can't hurt can it? waldoar, I got lucky without a blowoff tube the first batch, but I'll definitely use one for...

So for my first batch, I decided to use two packets of S-04 yeast as an insurance policy. I figured, I wouldn't have as many concerns about lag time or strong enough fermentation. I'm planning out my second batch, a porter (OG ~1.050) and was wondering if it was worth pitching two packets...

I'll watch out for the scissors... I need to ask mom if I can use them;) Thanks for the help!

I'm intrigued by the idea of adding malto-dextrin. I may try that. Are there any tips/tricks/warnings, I should know?

I'm an engineer or rather just an excel junkie and enjoy setting up an excel spreadsheet to do the math. The only math I haven't included yet is SRM, but it looked like the calculations are a little tough when using extract...

well... I'm doing a partial boil, but I calculate the SG for the partial boil, in additional to the "batch" SG (or rather just OG).

If you bitter with ingredients besides hops, I'm guessing you should be even more careful about sanitation? I know hops have some antiseptic qualities. What do you think? Is this splitting hairs...?

motobrewer- Good to know about the gravity increase from steeping. I am using my own spreadsheet that uses the formula's from "How to Brew" and those formulas definitely give some credit for steeping grains. Maybe I'll bump my extract up to 5.5 or 6 pounds and add a little extra hops...

motobrewer- I keep going back and forth... I was reading Austin Homebrew's website and their description says it's primarily for color and reducing the chocolate flavors from chocolate malt. They make it sound as though black patent has a neutral flavor and tones down other malts. Not sure I...

Thanks, folks... This is where I'm at now... I'm going to stick with the full 1 oz of NB, so that I get pretty much just the bitterness for balance. But I'm definitely cutting back on the flavor and aroma hops to cut down the IBUs/overall bitterness and in an attempt to let the malt...

so, newbie question then... Since you buy hops in 1 oz increments, how do you store extra hops? freezer in a zip loc bag?

alcibiades- I looked a little closer at the style guide and you're right. The range they give is 18-35, so I probably was a little high, especially if I want to get the coffee & chocolate aroma/flavor. Maybe I should cut out the aroma (15min) and some of the flavor (30min) and let the malt...

Walker- I was just looking at your recipe for your Holy Grail. You said you have a lack of head retention... Do you think I will have similar issue? I'm not sure if I should worry about it this early one, but would I want to consider adding some malto dextrin?

Maybe, I'll try S-04 again. I had a very vigorous fermentation within the first 24 hours. I was thinking of sticking with dry yeast for the few batches, just to keep things more simple, no worries of starters, yet.

ha, thanks... I've read through How to Brew a few times.... I'm a big researcher. I'll consider removing the black patent. I wasn't sure about it to begin with. It was kind of a last minute adjustment. I've actually never used Windsor, I was just looking at yeasts and looking for an...