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I wrote a 3 star review for the 10 gallon MegaPot saying that the stainless steel rusts easily, and it may not be a pure an alloy as is claimed by the manufacturer. Surprise, they did not publish this critical review. In fact, the only critical reviews on their site are masked behind 4-5 star...

No, no this is a valid point to make. I was thinking more about body than head retention. 5% crystal would be a safe addition to make for a tripel. It definitely wouldn't hurt. What's your thoughts on crystal percentage?

I think for such a high gravity beer, you won't need to worry about body or head retention. 5% crystal would certainly be sufficient, or none at all. Your FG probably won't drop below 1.013, so if that's cool with you, I would just skip the crystal. It's not necessary for the style. Have you...

Thanks. I guess the takeaway is that, it's really hard to estimate IBUs accurately for late additions, but if you're consistent, you will get repeatable results.

So, say I toss in the hops at flameout, and start chilling. It takes about 30 minutes to get to 90F. How would I represent that in my beer smith recipe? Whirlpool addition for 15 min?

Why is it that beersmith gives me 0 IBU for a 0min addition, but a substantial IBU for a 30 min whirlpool? This doesn't make sense to me. If I'm putting in an addition at flame out, then waiting for temp to drop to 180 F to add my whirlpool addition, shouldn't the 0min register more IBUs than...

I purchased some amylase enzyme yesterday from my LHBS put a teaspoon into each fermenter and today the airlock is bubbling! Now I just need to keep an eye on the SG and make sure it doesn't go too low. When it reached the desired FG, I will cold crash with gelatin to drop the yeast.

I just pulled the trigger on the ThermaPen! They are discontinuing British Racing Green, so I got it for $79. No more inaccurate readings!

Congrats! I figured out a way to fence off my brewing area so the kid can hang out with me while a I brew. I used a playpen fence, but instead of putting the kid in it, I put my brewing setup in it. My wife really doesn't like when I brew in the kitchen.

I am dumb, peterj is right. That would mean HIGHER mash temp. I had that backwards. So, likely I've been mashing at 158F, which could explain everything!

I build my own water from RO, so I don't need campden tablets. But I think I will use a longer mash next time. Also I'll use two thermometers, calibrated to ice water.

This is interesting, I didn't realize this is how it works. Come to think of it I remember reading boiling water at around 206F at sea level. I sort of thought that's to be expected, no one ever measures 212F exactly right? But, if that's taken into account, worst case, I could have been...

Do you do anything special for Conan? Like mashing lower or adding sugar a few days in? I have seen these recommendations, but ignored them for my first try.

I do aerate, I dump the wort from the kettle into the carboy (I've been told that's plenty aeration for medium gravity beers.) However I give a good 30 seconds of shaking too! Maybe that's not enough? The three fermentations have all started like a rocket, blowoff was required. WLP001...

This is a good point, and would explain a lot. However the iodine test passed at the end of the mash (though I could have been doing it wrong). I haven't, but I just broke the thermometer I usually use. So now I have a new digital and a new glass thermometer for the next batch. I will...

Since my son was born, I’ve been brewing a lot less these days. After about a six month hiatus, I started brewing again. Unfortunately these last three batches since hiatus have had really poor attenuation. I’m not sure how to address it. The first batch (#1) was Jamil’s Amber Waves...

I brewed this great beer again, but this time my efficiency was through the roof. The OG was about 1.055. Should I just relax and call this a Sticke Alt?

Two Lagers today, Kellerbier and a Vienna.

+1 (for ales)

+1 on the distilled (RO also works)