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Sometime in the next thirty to ninety days, I'm planning to brew three five gallon batches of stout for Octoberfest, Thanksgiving & Christmas. I want to bottle it and store it till use. The problem I have is over carbonation. I brewed some stouts in October and November of last year and...

On Friday, I made a 32 oz starter with a cup of LME and a single packet of dry yeast. Last night, I pitched it and today my air lock is running like super duper fart machine. In the past, I've waited 24 hours plus for a sign of fermentation and this morning I was amazed. If possible, will...

Anyone ever seen pink spots on their fermenting bucket between batches...fungus, bacteria, etc.??? Toby

I'm a relatively new brewer and I find myself checking temperatures repeatedly during the boil and cool down. I realize it is a bit of work and money, but I'm considering installing a dial theremometer in my 7 gallon stainless brew pot. I'm thinking it would save me having to grab the floating...

I recently made and have been drinking a Watney's Cream Stout clone. Fantasic beer and I order the ingredients to make two more batches. Ideally, I'd like to see if I can improve it without months of aging. In the absence of letting it age for months, can I add 2 or more ounces of cocoa...

I chilled my beer for two days to clear it and it currently raising from 42'F. It may take a whole day to warm up to room temperature. I boiled the water and mixed my priming sugar, which is currently in the 150'F range and cooling. Ultimately, I plan on bringing the priming mixure down to...

I transferred by first batch to the secondary fermenter and I just add the pellets loose. I have a bag, but didn't think it would be as effective. Regardless, I pitched it loose. Should I have gone with the bag and kept the loose material to minimum? At the end of the two weeks in the...

In simply and scientific terms, what is the benefit to aging the beer in the fermenter or bottle? I'm not talking about weeks, I'm thinking months or perhaps a year. I've read, aging helps the CO2 disolve into the beer and allows chemical reactions take place that wouldn't otherwise with...

Has anyone ever used the grain mill attachment for a Kitchenaid? My wife has damn fine Kitchenaid and I'm thinking it would a fairly practical mill. Toby

I found a local source for free (bar trash) 750 mL American champagne bottles and I'd like them for beer. Have you used them and did the standard bottle cap work OK? I capped one and it appeared to fit fine and I couldn't turn it by hand. How much head space did you leave and did...

I brewed my first batch (Pale Ale Kit) last Saturday night. I used the dry yeast (Muntons) that came with the kit and followed the directions on the yeast packet. I pitched the yeast and saw no CO2 activitiy 24 hours latter and decided to do a little online research and reflection of my...

I brewed my first batch of beer Saturday night. The kit (Pale Ale) came with a Muntons dry yeast and I followed the directions on package. Being a beginner, I failed to realize the yeast wasn't active and I pitched it. After no CO2 output after 24 hours and the same SG, I made the call to...