Recent content by Tska

Is it easy to find blueberry extract? Maybe use a mix, so you get a light purple tint without making it look like grape Kool-Aid?

It depends largely on the specific fridge. Most dorm-size mini-fridges that I've come across (the old one I have) don't work. There are some instructions with pictures at this link: http://kegkits.com/kegerator1.htm As well as the required dimensions for your fridge to be convertable. Here...

If this turns the beer purple, how do commercial breweries make blueberry beer without much altering its color? I'm looking to brew a blueberry in a few batches, so I'm compiling info.

As an alternative to boiling or soaking to sanitize, what about baking as a way to extract flavor beyond what a simple puree would do? I imagine it would bring out the sweetness in the banana (maybe too much so) and make it more fermentable? I have no idea what happens, I'm just throwing the...

No, a CO meter. You exhale CO2. CO kills you. ;) Plenty of counter space as well.

Ahhhh OK - I didn't know they were all crystal malts...very good to know. If I knock those back to 0.5 lb Honey Malt and 0.5 lb of Crystal 20, should I make up the difference in 2-row? I.e. 12 lbs 2-row?

Thanks for the replies (especially the Meffid/JP guys!) - I've never brewed with honey or honey malt (I knew honey is almost 100% fermentable, but that makes sense as to why you won't get much flavor from it). I'll change the original recipe to 0.5# honey malt instead of straight honey. I've...

Well I'm finally (I think) ready to delve into AG brewing, and I've been hankering to brew my first IPA as well...I've got a few questions as I sit here (with a Southern Tier "Extraordinary Ale" in hand) contemplating the meaning of beer. Here's the basics - feel free to add any...

^I like that...and everyone likes the Taconic, so it's a win/win!

Went on the Sam Adams brewery tour last week - they said they used cacao nibs specifically in many of their beers. Didn't think to ask specifics, but apparently it's possible...I don't know much about it, though.

Why not just soak them in vodka and add the whole thing to the secondary?

Is the Lactose 4 oz by weight, or volume? They end up being pretty close...I brewed this last night, and my 1 lb bag of Lactose held almost exactly 3 cups, so I used 3/4 C as 4 oz. by weight. By volume would obviously be 1/2 C. Which did you intend? I combined both recipes (#1 and #2), so...

On a side note, someone mentioned a kegged/nitro carbed setup - this would obviously be ideal, but I'm not set up that way yet...how does it vary if I were to bottle this instead (CO2 vs. nitrogen blend)? Does it affect the head/pour? Taste?

^Good to hear! I was about to chime in with my own personal experience...I'm drinking my Winter Spice Ale now, and I rough-crushed a whole stick of cinnamon and added to the boil at 5 mins. The cinnamon flavor is present, but I would've liked it a little stronger - did you add it to the...