My Sunday led to this...

...despite my best efforts, it seemed, to ensure failure. i made my "Pseudo Wit-ty" witbier yesterday (recipe), and had several things go wrong on me - most with regards to sanitation. yet, somehow, looks like the yeasties won the day.

first pic shows the 4-gallon batch shortly after pitching. about 10 minutes after this pic was taken, i was fishing around with a sanitized piece of coat-hanger trying to remove the orange zest. at first i thought it would be a good idea to leave in primary, then i read that it would create too much bitterness so i panicked and removed them after much effort.

pix 2 and 3 were taken 12 hours after pitching. looking awrite at a steady 68F, lots of churning in the corboy and bubbling about once per second

yes, i know, the blowoff bucket should be lower. luckily i don't think i'll need it since the krausen is really thick and isn't rising. i'll probably drop in the air-lock tonight.

Cool pics. If the orange zest was just the outside of the peel, it makes for an awesome flavor and aroma without any added bitterness (in my keg right now). Unfornately it fades rather quickly at around 3 weeks. Next time around I will "dry-zest" in primary after fermenation is over (in addition to orange zest in primary during ferment).

What size is the hose you have that fits perfectly into your carboy?

sweet mother thats a big blowoff hose

i love it when people compliment the size of my hose...

i believe that the size is 1". my LHBS sells it in bulk (cut-to-order) specifically because of its perfect fit. ask your supply shop next time you're there, i'm sure they can confirm or correct me. it is indeed on the big side, but it saves me from dealing with a drilled bung.

sweetcell said:

it saves me from dealing with a drilled bung.

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No big deal with bungs in my opinion. I can't imagine having a hose that big in my freezer. Here's my freezer with a bunch of blowoffs. That big hose would become cumbersome. The bungs are really pretty easy to deal with, and the thin hose is easy too.

I use a hose that size too. I don't ever ferment enough carboys no have too much trouble from it.

sweetcell said:

i love it when people compliment the size of my hose...

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Who doesn't...

Thanks, I'll check with my LHBS next time I make the journey over there.

passedpawn said:

No big deal with bungs in my opinion. I can't imagine having a hose that big in my freezer. Here's my freezer with a bunch of blowoffs. That big hose would become cumbersome. The bungs are really pretty easy to deal with, and the thin hose is easy too.

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Dayum!!!! Thats a great pic....Dont drink much beer do you?
Bob

Rbeckett said:

Dayum!!!! Thats a great pic....Dont drink much beer do you?
Bob

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I drink plenty. I go in spurts... I like to get the fermenters all full and then let them sit a while.

Something about an empty fermenter that really bugs me.

passedpawn said:

Something about an empty fermenter that really bugs me.

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Same here, and I'm only on my third batch...My girlfriend thinks I'm crazy with all the beer I'm brewing and the brews I'm planning down the line (next up-an ESB and an IPA. Can't wait.) Fortunately, she loves beer too so I'll have plenty of help drinking the delicious stuff.