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Just checked the latest batch. After 6 days it's dropped from 1.130 to 1.040 and still going strong. I was hoping for a 100 piont drop in 7 days. The fermentation chamber is filled with a delicious sweet honey aroma and holding steady at 70 deg. I'd like to see this finish around 1.005-1.010...

Where is your favorite place to buy grains? My "local HBS" is unpredictable at best with what they stock, when they have it and what it costs. I'm looking to buy several 55# sacks of grain with a brewing buddy and want to get the best dea lI can.

I've been looking up recipies for the Barkshack and have found mixed reviews. More people hate it than like it, it seems. Charlie makes it sound freakin great. Anyone here brew it? I've got honey and an empty 3 gallon carboy that needs to get fill up ASAP.

I've read that using natural yeast can be risky but also give the best results. I just bought 5 gallons of week old cider, with nothing added, from the local apple farm for $10. They didn't want to sell it as sweet cider due to it's (now) short shelf life but for fermenting it should be OK. My...

I made a starter for my first mead Sunday night. 6 cups water, 1 tbsp DME, nutrient, energizer, 1/2 cup honey, 60 seconds of O2 and a swollen pack of 3184 sweet mead yeast. OG: 1.040. 72 hours later I go nuthin'. I've swirled the jug several times a day to get the yeast off the bottom. what...

Just got a fridge last week and want to use it! Where is a good place to find some used kegs?

Making a hefe, and want to save some DME for late in the boil. AT what time do I add the second three pounds of DME?

Mash vessel. lautering system and the type of sparging you do all seem to have a combo that work best. Like a rectangular cooler with a braided stainless hose for batch sparging. Whats the best set up for fly sparging? What is need for a decoction mash? Where would a copper manifold work best?

Starting a PA (maybe an IPA) right now. How much gypsum might I add and when?

Found some used 5g carboys online, so I don't mind having one (or two) tied up for a couple of months. Anyone have a good extract or partial mash recipe for a dopplebock?

I'll be making my first HW soon and want to get my starter going. The "wheat" extracts are a blend of wheat and barley. Is it OK to use the *regular* Munton's extra-light DME in my starter? I know that the yeast should be started on the same stuff going into your brew, and I wonder if this will...

What is the preferred source of oxygen? Does it need to be medical grade?

I've built up my lager starter to about 3 1/2 quarts, and it is bubbling away in the basement corner at 50 or so deg. This is where I plan to ferment my beer. I was going to put it in the fridge, let the yeast settle, and pour off the excess liquid, and pitch the slurry only(as per How To...

My smack pack was finally swollen by this morning, so I set out making a starter for my first lager. I boiled three qts water with three cups DME, and pitched the yeast into one quart and plan to add the second quart tomorrow and the third on Tuesday. I plan to steadily drop the temp each day...

I'm going to make Papazian's Crystal Honey Lager. Bought the ingredients last night so I can brew this weekend. My LHBS had wyeast smack packs availiable, I've had good results with those, so I got one: American Lager 2035. "Smacked" the pack last night (14 hours ago), and left it next to my...

My ESB fermented in a cool spot: 59-63 deg. Today it went into mini kegs, and I now have a warmer(68-70), (hopefully) temperature controlled area I could put them to condition. Would the yeast be negatively affected by a temp change now, or should they be left to condition in the cooler...

Today my ESB goes into mini kegs,leaving my glass carboy empty till next weekend. what is the best way to store the carboy for the next week? Leave it open to air out or fill it with bleach water?

I'm making a honey brown ale this weekend (Northern extract kit) and am thinking of attempting to raise the alcohol content. The recipe calls for 1# honey at 0 min. Could more be added to provide more fermentables? I'm thinking another 1/2 - 1 lb at 60 min. I don't necessarily want more...

One of my favorite beers is Paulaner's hefe wiezen. Does any one have a recipe or know of an extract kit to make it?

Anyone ever use an electric blanket to keep the temp up? I'm falling below 60 (already) and 2-3 brew belts cost too much.