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Included in a recent order from my LHBS was a pack of Wyeast 1318. They notified me by email that they were out of stock and asked if I minded if they substituted a similar yeast. I OKed the replacement but didn't note the replacement or change the recipe and they didn't make a change on the...

OK folks, I didn't do any reading up on root beer. A couple of months ago I made a 5 gallon batch using extract, 2 lbs. of table sugar and 3 lbs. of honey. Mixed and kegged it it and put it in my keezer. A month later it showed no signs of carbonation, so I did a little reading and found that...

First time making a starter with 1968 London ESB. Been on the stir plate for about 18 hours and turned from very cloudy to looking almost like cold break. I assume it ate up the extract that fast and is floculating. Has anyone seen this yeast eat up a 1.8L starter this fast? Just want a little...

Howdy folks. Been brewing for several years now, mostly all grain and never made a starter. Have read enough that I don't actually have a problem with the starter, but a question about building enough to pitch plus enough for another starter. I assume that if I calculate out a proper starter for...

Saw their listing in Craft Beer & Brewing magazine and had to check them out. Their web site looks good and prices very competitive for a small store. Stopped in this past Sunday and they now have a new customer. I had problems with freshness and the way products were stored and handled at a...

If you use plastic carboys, just go buy a 2 qt. measuring cup. Simple, that's it.

Not beer related, but too funny not to post. Have you ever wondered who first uttered the phrase: "You Gotta Be ****tin Me?" Well, it just so happens to have originated through the Father of Our country, way back when George Washington was crossing the Delaware river with his...

Just in case anyone doesn't know: Hops Direct has a bunch of hop varieties going on sale tomorrow . Most around $9/lb.

I brewed a rye IPA and overshot ABV by a full percent. It was planned in Beersmith as 7.3% (6 gallon batch). I did a cereal mash with 3 lb. of rye berries and figured potential to be the same as using 3 lb. malted rye. Is it normal to get a much greater yield from a cereal mash? My system is...

Ok, finally decided to branch out a bit from APAs and IPAs. Decided on a Dubbel and kind of like the bready notes in New Belgium's beers. Came up with this recipe. 6 Gallon Batch Size: Est. OG: 1.062 Est. FG: 1.007 Bitterness: 23 IBU Color: 9.9 SRM Est. ABV: 7.3% 8# US Pale Malt 2#...

I read somewhere, probably here, that stirring the mash would yield greater efficiency. I stirred my last 2 mashes and was amazed at the improvement. I use the Beersmith2 default setting of 72% overall efficiency. and usually miss estimated OG by 2 to 4 points if I hit my post boil volume...

As many do, I use a charcoal filter to remove the chlorine from my brewing water. Was wondering if samples sent to Ward Labs should be right out of the tap or filtered as you normally would. I know my PH drops from 7.0 to 6.75 when filtered and wondered if some beneficial minerals might also...

Howdy folks. After drinking a few of Sierra Nevada's Ruthless Rye IPAs I decided to experiment with some rye beers of my own. I had ordered a pound of malted rye on my last grain order before doing some research and discovering that 2 or 3 lbs. was more appropriate for a rye IPa, so had a...

I brew, primarily, Pale Ales and American IPAs and like some variety when it comes to hops. I use a base recipe for both as far as the grain bill goes and vary mash temperature and hops additions. My grain bill for Pale Ales (6 gallon pre-boil): 10 lb. Breiss 2 row 2 lb. Munich 9L 1 lb...

For anyone who isn't aware of it, Hops Direct just released their 2011 crop of whole leaf hops. They are limiting orders to one pound of each variety due to low yields. I just ordered mine this morning. Bob

I got either brave or stupid over the weekend and decided to brew two batches on Monday. I work 10 hour graveyard shifts and my weekend starts when I get off at 4:30AM on Sunday. We had a BBQ planned for Tuesday, so I was limited to Sunday afternoon and Monday for brewing chores. I had run...

Howdy folks, For the most part, I brew Pale Ales and IPAs. This is my second year of all grain and my first year kegging. I've done just about everything I have read about to produce crisp and clean beers with the exception of water chemistry. My beers have improved greatly, but they just...

Howdy folks, Brewed up my first Barley wine on 2/28. OG was 1.092 and FG 1.015 after 15 days in primary. Transferred to secondary and it's been there since. I have 4 oz. of cubed Oak wine barrel staves soaking in bourbon for a week now and plan on adding both the cubes and bourbon. At this...

My wife's cousin brought me some carrageen from Ireland. This is sun dried carrageen and is still in whole form. Just wondering if anyone has experience using it in this form or should I stick it in the food processor and powder it. In the whole form how much would I use in a 5 gallon batch...