Recent content by billyjohnbrewing

Basically you just have to drop it into the kettle at an angle so the base is away from the thermometer and then straighten it as it goes down. You will have to depend on a whirlpool method to circulate the wort because you can't move the Hydra up and down once seated. Like I said slight...

That's pretty much what I have. It puts out water pressure equal to or higher than what comes out of the house. This is mine. Excited to use it again and again. http://www.harborfreight.com/lawn-garden/pumps/16-hp-submersible-utility-pump-1350-gph-61904.html

Well, I ended up letting it slow rise to 72 after main fermentation but unfortunately I got distracted for a few days and missed the cold crash before getting below 1.004. So now it's .99 or 1.00, crisp and smooth but way too dry. My plan is to add 2 12oz cans of apple juice concentrate when...

Submersible pump x1000. This weekend was the first time I've used a submersible pump as Harbor Freight was having a Labor Day sale. Picked up their 1/6HP 1350gph pump and that thing does not disappoint. Overkill, yes, but totally worth it. Used the 82F ground water this weekend to get to about...

Just wanted to add this here. Made it for my wife's La Leche League and everyone seemed to enjoy it including those that don't really drink beer. Also, kept the ABV under 4%. 4.5lb Maris Otter 1lb Oats, Flaked .5lb Chocolate .5 Crystal, Extra Dark 5 Roasted Barley .25 Black Malt - 2 Row Mash...

Alright, looks like I'm still only at 1.030. Definitely still have some time with this one. I'm used to my ciders taking off at 70-75F and being done in under a week. Hopefully the wait is worth it...it does taste REALLY clean but still way too sweet.

Well, I don't have a sterilized thief tonight and am a bit too lazy so I'll take a reading tomorrow. I've been reading through the cider forums and it looks like even when WY3638 is finished it's still around 1.004 which isn't terribly dry. We shall see...

In case anyone was wondering this think has actually been chilling right around 63F for the past few days and is fermenting nicely from what I can tell. With that quick start and low fermentation temps I'm hoping for a nice clean cider. Just hoping I can cold crash in time so I don't have to...

I have learned that stressing out the yeast by underpitching should get you that banana to come out. Even at 68F and a healthy starter the WY3638 has a hint of banana which I actually wasn't going for with Hacker Pschorr clone but oh well still tastes fantastic. Went from a low efficiency 1.041...

I will check back in once I get it going. Grabbing my cool brewing bag and some frozen 2L bottles of water and hoping to ferment 66-68F. I decided to pick up a couple of 12oz frozen apple juice concentrate cans to toss in to bring the OG up a bit higher. I used the below to estimate the OG based...

I haven't seen too much on this other than with beer and overpitching issue... I'll be kegging a Hacker Pschorr clone that used Wyeast 3638 Bavarian Wheat. I want to make another batch of cider so my thought is to dump 5 gallons of my standard kirkland apple juice right on top of the trub...

Jealous of the view, been 6 years since I lived on Oahu. Another +1 for the Hydra. Brewed a couple of 5 gallon batches over the past month and with ~80F water I went from boiling to 85F in right around 6 minutes while stirring. For the next batch I plan on having a pump and a cooler with ice...

Checking back in after having the porter on tap for a few days now. The initial pint or so definitely had a funky finish. I'm guessing that was from the crap the settled to the bottom of the keg because a day later after just dumping another pint it seems to be good. I will say though that the...

The frozen 2L bottle of water was in a 2L bottle that was set inside my cool brewing bag to control fermentation temps.

Thanks for all of the input. Just put it in the fridge to cold crash before the gelatin addition tomorrow. The activity had definitely ceased after the 4+ day room temp rest and cleared out quite a bit. I'll check back in this weekend with the result.