Recent content by BadLuckBrewer

Well I sure would like to win one of those nifty tools!

Welcome to HBT. Your right about Siclianos, I stopped by last year on a trip to GR and that place is a great LHBS. Bulk grain,great prices on carboys, and all the beer can be sold in singles. They have an up and coming competition as well. Sounds like you are well on your way to a new...

I'm in the Saginaw Bay area. I figure I don't drink while brewing but I do taste the grains,hops and wort from every batch. I guess the beer gods demand more.

Glad to see more Mid-Michiganders. Eastman's is a good place to start for supplies. They are slowly getting better with what they carry. The Lager Mill in Frankenmuth is run by homebrewers and beer enthusiasts. They can get you anything you need if you ask with out the travel. Things Beer is a...

I occasionally still do extract batches for demonstrations and other reasons at times. After I started adding 1/2 or more extract near the end of the boil I noticed less of a "mineral" taste. Basically the proteins are already well developed in extract and additional boiling can cause minor...

What I meant by caramelization is in the color, and just a general reference as not to overwhelm a beginner. But you are right on the technical part. You can however scorch your wort in a cheap pot.

I say brew them both! Can never have too many choices in a good beer.:mug:

Aluminum is fine to use as long as it doesn't get scratched. From experience though, cheap pots ruin beer.A thin wall/bottom can caramelize beer in mere minutes due to heat. If you plan to brew for a while put a few extra dollars in your first pot.

Good luck on your first brew! If I was you I wouldn't listen to much the guy from your lhbs said. He is a bit off in his information. Leaving the beer on the yeast a bit longer can really clean up any off flavors (whole lot of crazy science stuff on this)

The Bad Luck in the name is an ongoing nick name I have gotten from fellow brewers. They are impressed I keep brewing no matter what happens. I have broken thermometers in the boil kettle. Some guy dumped peanut shells in my boil at a public demo. Have lost several gallons of wort due to...

Another Michigander on the forum. I have referenced the forum several times over the last year or so and finally decided to register. I have been brewing for almost 4 years now. I am very active in my club and the craft beer scene all over Michigan. Looking forward to catching up on all the old...

Glad to hear you got back into brewing. I'm also from mid Michigan just a bit north of you.