Austinhomebrew.com Flat Tire 1% alcohol increase?

I see that listed on AHB.com's recipe for Flat Tire that there is an upgrade option for increase the ABV by 1% for an additional $.99 or something. Can anyone tell me if this is possible and what exactly is going on here. Also why are they charging $5 for wyeast products?

Thanks

Ian

gonzoflick said:

I see that listed on AHB.com's recipe for Flat Tire that there is an upgrade option for increase the ABV by 1% for an additional $.99 or something. Can anyone tell me if this is possible and what exactly is going on here.

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They probably just throw in another bag of extract. More sugar = more alcohol.

gonzoflick said:

Also why are they charging $5 for wyeast products?

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That's a fair price.

gonzoflick said:

I see that listed on AHB.com's recipe for Flat Tire that there is an upgrade option for increase the ABV by 1% for an additional $.99 or something. Can anyone tell me if this is possible and what exactly is going on here. Also why are they charging $5 for wyeast products?

Thanks

Ian

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They have free shipping, which is excellent for me since I get it next day since I'm close.

However, I probably wouldn't buy yeast from them if I were you. It'll probably take 4-5 days for it to reach you in temperatures approaching 100 degrees.

Their extract kits just have LME, so the 1% increase is probably just more LME like stated above.

gonzoflick said:

Also why are they charging $5 for wyeast products?

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I would assume that that is the upgrade charge from dry yeast to Wyeast, which is liquid(better IMHO).

Spyk'd said:

I would assume that that is the upgrade charge from dry yeast to Wyeast, which is liquid(better IMHO).

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Actually, that's the cost of the yeast period. They price their kits w/o yeast. Dry yeast is usually little under $2.

See what happens when we assume?

Spyk'd said:

See what happens when we assume?

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Well, it's sorta confusing even when you're looking at their website

A 1% ABV boost is about 38 points of fermentables. About the only way I can think of that won't change the recipe in any other way would be 14 oz of corn sugar. The price is right.

$5 is a normal price for liquid yeasts, but as Fatabbot mentions, it's hot between you and TX. Add in a cold pack or two for a couple bucks and it might get to you live. Might. If you can't get liquid yeast locally, stick with dried until it cools down.

I am sensing you guys aren't really happy with Austin Homebrew. I have ordered from them a few times and have been happy with all of their recipe kits. The selection is the best on the internet.

Do any of you disagree?

mayday1019 said:

I am sensing you guys aren't really happy with Austin Homebrew.

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What? No one said anything negative about them in this thread. We just warned him against ordering liquid yeast during the hot months since it might be risky.

you're right, just a feeling I had, thats all. Plus if you guys did have bad experiences or know of better places to buy your kits, I would like to know.

mayday1019 said:

you're right, just a feeling I had, thats all. Plus if you guys did have bad experiences or know of better places to buy your kits, I would like to know.

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I'm a big fan of austinhomebrew. However, another good vendor is northernbrewer.com.

Fatabbot said:

I'm a big fan of austinhomebrew. However, another good vendor is northernbrewer.com.

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I'm a big fan of AHB as well. They did make a couple mistakes on my last order, but they made it right ASAP which is all you can ask.

I'm probably a bit biased, but AHS has always done me well. I do think that you're playing with fire though if you don't get an ice pack for the yeast, it's been cooler than average here (85-93), but that could change within a day.

Great. I never even thought of the temperatures. I just bought some ingredients over the internet, including Wyeast 1056, and it sat in a Fedex warehouse over the weekend. Is there a way I can tell if its still good so I don't have to go to my LHBS and buy more?

jcarson83 said:

Is there a way I can tell if its still good so I don't have to go to my LHBS and buy more?

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make a starter.

Lou said:

make a starter.

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Before you ask:

2 parts water, 1 part malt extract.
Boil 15 minutes.
Cool to about 75°F.
Put into a sanitized jug/bottle of some sort.
Shake like hell to aerate.
Pitch yeast.
Install airlock on said jug/bottle or cover with foil.
Shake like hell every now and then.

If it starts to ferment and form a cake of yeast on the bottom, you are good. Now you can make your beer and just dump the whole starter into it to ge things rolling.

-walker

they are just adding more fermentables. it is pre measured for a 5 gal batch. the more fermentables the more alcohol in the end. Ive used it and it seems to work for me.

I got some ingredients AND yeast from AHB a couple weeks ago- it is in the secondary now. First time getting stuff online, as I have a local HBS, but the yeast came on ice, and was fine. Now, it is a lot hotter out there now than it was a couple weeks ago, but I was happy with their shipping prep and consideration.

Just in case someone ever wants to know....

Think this is the 1% increase given the price and product description:

http://www.austinhomebrew.com/product_info.php?cPath=178_21_73_404&products_id=10137