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Never had the need to use yeast nutrient until yesterday. I made a big DIPA (1.095) yesterday and was using 2 packs of US05. Went to rehydrate the yeast and threw in DPA-based yeast nutrient (5 tsp) in the cup. After 30 minutes, I had no froth or foaming (which I thought odd), but I pitched...

I kegged a stout on Friday. I've been tasting the beer every day to check the progression. Regardless, it's tasted really good every day, just low on carb. Today, however, as soon as I pulled the tap handle I knew the carb today was perfect. Great head, bubbles throughout. Excited, right? Then...

So, here's the deal. I've been having an atrocious time with my efficiency as of late. I've been consistently in the low 60s for my past 4 brews. In order to compensate, I added an extra 1 lb 2-row in the dry stout I did on Saturday. So of course, that would be the day I scored by far my best...

I have just purchased a new house in the metro Detroit area (well, 1930 isn't exactly a NEW house, but it's new to me). As most of my brewing to this point has been done in Florida, I'm not looking forward to the prospect of brewing outside in Detroit in February. Because of that, I'm looking...

Anybody ever use an Irish Ale yeast for an ESB? I'm planning my January brew days and I'm set for a dry irish stout using WL004 and I'm wondering if I can use the same yeast for the ESB I have planned for later in the month. Thoughts????

Ever have one of those brew days that just didnt go right from the start? That was me on Sunday. It was my first wit in a long time which I was really excited about. I've been tinkering with decoction lately so I planned a protein rest (using flaked wheat, not wheat malt so this was supposed...

Alright, I'm stumped. I've had my kegerator for some time now. I've got 3 ball lock kegs running to 3 faucets in a coffin box "powered" by a 5# tank. I've got a 3 line manifold (all with gas stops) and a dual-body regulator. In the last 3 weeks, I have burned through 3 co2 tanks. I have...

Truth be told, I've been waiting for months to write this thread and now I'm excited that I finally can! After years of pondering, a year of planning, 6 months of tinkering, and 1 harsh weekend of assembling and troubleshooting, I'm very happy to say I have a great keezer I'm super proud of...

I built my keezer this weekend from an old, well running dorm fridge. It is well insulated and the cooling plate is functioning very well. The problem is that the compressor was running all night to keep it at 55 with no off-cycle. This is obviously not good. I've read on this site that using...

So, after almost a year of planning, several months of half-assed material collection, and two weekends of cutting, screwing, painting, and assembling, my thorough conversion of a plain old armoire to a kegerator is complete! I will enthusiastically post photos, when my "hiccup" is cured...

For any of you home brewers in the Orlando/Jacksonville/Tampa area, I am looking to increase my keg collection by two. Specifically, I'm looking for ball-locks in working condition. If you're scaling back or your SWMBO is "suggesting" you unload some from your supply, please let me know. I...

So, I brewed my annual pumpkin ale yesterday. Smelled awesome, really excited about it! Unfortunately, this annual brew that I look forward to more than any other didn't go according to plan - at least in terms of final numbers. 7.5 lbs pale 2-row 2.5 lbs munich .25 lbs 60L crystal 5 oz...

So I brewed an attempt at cloning Optimator yesterday using 2565 as a substitute for a lager yeast. I know it won't be perfect, but I think it should be pretty good. I started a 2 liter starter on Friday and had the yeast going well. I pitched the yeast into my 5.5 gallon last night. I pitched...

So, I've made countless yeast starters in my brew career. I've done them because I know that's what you're "supposed" to do. But, as I was putting together one last night, I got to thinking... Starter = small batch DME wort, yeast pack, let sit (or stir plate), high krausen, decant, pitch...

So, I know it's been mentioned on here before, but I am loving the website Pintley. For those who are unfamiliar, think of it as a Pandora for beer. You rate as many beers as you can think of (or care to), and based on your personal tastes, it'll spit out suggestions for you. I'm having a...

I've seen this before. I'm sure you all have seen it before, so this isn't ground-breaking, but it made me laugh and cry last night. So I went to this restaurant for dinner last night. Of course, I'm interested in the beer list. So my 13 year old waitress (probably not, but she looked it)...

I'm about to start up a brochet mead and am doing some forward thinking. When possible, I always prefer a sparkling product to a still product (wine, cider, beer, etc). In reading on this forum, however I have read that many people are having difficulties carbonating a mead (either via force...

So, I cleaned out my freezer yesterday and I found a hidden surprise: 12 oz of Sorachi Ace hops that I had totally forgotten about. I used them last December (ie 14 months ago) in a Belgian strong. I wrapped them up tightly and in the freezer they have stayed since. As they are not vacuum...

So, I have just checked in on my blonde ale from the weekend which is happily fermenting away. I was amused to see, however, a strange sight. Typically, trub is on the bottom, followed by beer layer, and finish off with a layer of krausen. This beer is backwards. Little trub, beer, krausen, big...

So I'm looking for a bit of help here. For as long as I've been AG brewing, I've been following recipes and process recommendations. On my brew rig, I consistently hit the 72-75% range in terms of effeciency. Yesterday, I decided to start experimenting and taking notes to dive deeper into the...