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Made my first Apfelwein (from Ed Wort's recipe) on 6/17/18. Just kegged it last night (9/25). Tastes very good --I'm impressed. Nice, dry, and clear with a hint of apple. Only to get better with age I assume. I followed Ed Wort's recipe exactly except used LD Carlson Cider House select yeast...

Made a 1l starter last night, placed on stir plate and checked this morning. I'm not seeing any activity. Or krausen. The date on the yeast was March, so 5 months. Should I be concerned, or is there usually a lag time for the 1098 strain? Thanks for any responses. Rick

I have to admit -- I don't always do AG brewing. As a matter of fact, probably more extract (w/Specialty Grain) brewing. But -- trying to frequent more AG brew sessions. Brewed an AG American Amber Ale this weekend (recipe from "Brewing Classic Styles" Jamil Z.). Everything was going great...

Hello -- Brewed an American Strong Ale on 3/19/16 -- after checking the gravity yesterday and saw that it achieved its FG, I went ahead and dry hopped (first time dry hopping). The recipe calls for dry hopping for 5 days. Is it OK to open the fermenter back up (after 5 days) and remove...

Just doing a sanity checking here. Force carbed my beer a week ago or so. The carbonation was perfect for my Kolsch -- but, earlier this week I mistakenly unplugged my Kegerator (needed the outlet) and forgot to plug in for a day. So -- temp got up to 60-65. Anyways -- plugged back in --...

Hello HBT members - I just brewed a Kolsch on Saturday -- my OG was 1.042 (which is target) , my FG is targeted for 1.010. Checked a sample this morning and it was 1.010 -- I am at my FG, but need to do a diacetyl rest. My question: Am I too late for a diacetyl rest to remove off...

I bought an Akorn Kamado Smoker this year and just absolutely love it. Always wanted a BGE (Big Green Egg) but it was a little (or a lot) out of my price range ~ $1,000. Got the Akorn at Kroger for around $150 (normally $299) -- it was a great deal. It does an awesome job. Just for the...

I bottled a Belgian Dark Strong Ale 4+ weeks ago. I've tried a couple and there is little or no carbonation at this point. I normally keg my beers, but since this is such a big beer (10.5%) -- I wanted to bottle. Calculated my amount of priming sugar that I would need for 2.75 Volumes of...

I've had my Sanyo 4912 for quite awhile (2years) and finally added draft tower this past weekend. It went very well as far as construction. Added fan assembly/hose to keep beer line cold in draft tower. Need to buy/add railing and drip tray. Last thing I will add is a bulkhead...

Grabbed a Sanyo 4912 fridge from Craigslist awhile back -- been using it as my fermentation chamber. Now I want to convert to Kegerator. I have a very good idea how to install the draft tower -- and locating the coolant lines before drilling. But -- I would like to locate my CO2 tank and...

I think Southern Tier makes some really good brews -- but, for some reason, I really don't like Pumking. Not sure if it is the yeast they use or spices, but it has a "bubble gum" taste to me. Seems like everytime I go to brewpub and they have it on tap -- the waitress/waiter always...

Anyone use their wort chiller as a fog chiller for their fog machine? Just curious -- seems like it would work well. rick

Just kegged my first lager (kit was Negra Modelo Clone from Northern Brewer). It has been carbonating in keg for about a week -- tried a sample and a little more bitter than I expected. Had it sitting at 35 degrees in secondary for 6 weeks previous to kegging. I did do a Dyacetyl Rest in...

Just wanted to throw this out there for reference on CO2 Refill locations. So far -- I know if 2 places in Columbus area. 1. Geer Gas. ( around $12 for 5lb tank) -- limited hours M-F. I think they close at 4:30 2. PaintBall Ohio-- $16 for refill 5lb. Hours are better though. Open on Sat too.

I've had my Dunkleweizen Kegged for a few weeks -- it pours with a nice head, but the beer is still flat. Serving psi is at 12. Any ideas/suggestions? Thanks, Rick

I kegged a Dunkleweizen a few weeks ago and set the CO2 to 12psi. It's tastes really good and pours with a nice head, but the mouth-feel is lacking -- it is somewhat flat tasting. Any suggestions -- or recommended CO2 setting? Thanks, Rick

Hello, First post on the wine forum -- I'm a beer guy, but want to surprise the wifey with homemade wine. I always make a yeast starter when brewing beer and have had much better tasting beer because of it -- I figure the same for wine. How do I make a yeast starter for wine? I have...

I understand refractometers are great for OG reading -- but, not so accurate on FG readings because of the presence of alcohol. I found this: http://morebeer.com/public/beer/refractbeer.xls Anyone else have something to similar to share? Rick

I typically make a yeast starter and use it within 24 hours. Decided to delay my brewing until tomorrow and made a yeast starter last night. So it will probably be 40 hours instead 24 hours on the yeast starter. Is it ok if the yeast starter sits that long (40 hours)? One other thing to add-...

Just received this temperature controller from Northern Brewer. Want to use it for controlling fermentation temps (for lagers and ales) and keg serving temperature. Just testing it: My Sanyo fridge has been off and the ambient temperature is 70 F. I have the Johnson controller setpoint...