Recent content by Chetbrews

I haven't brewed in over 6 months and I'm hoping to at least brew once a month this coming year. I just want to really focus on brewing consistent quality beers. Also want to get out more and check out some other craft breweries in my state and try to support those businesses.

10 years ago when I was 38, I made the switch to 2-3 gallon batches. It made for faster brewdays and a lot easier to move the beer around in kegs too.

I like to brew lagers and 2 things that helped me get more consistent beers was switching to 90 minute boils and temperature control for fermentation. I also do pressurized fermentations and 20 degrees c (68 degrees f) using 34/70 or diamond lager yeast works well for me. Another tip I got...

Since my lhbs closed years ago, they are pretty much my go-to for supplies. They may not have quite the selection that MB or NB has, but I have always been happy with what I have ordered from them. If they are out of something I usually sub something similar or just reach out to my homebrew club.

One of my friends Is a pro brewer and ordered from NB for all his small batches of experimental beers that he makes. He has been having issues ordering online from NB. I showed him Ritebrews website and their prices are half what NB charges. He made the switch.

I do have a spundit valve, but I usually just use a simple prv valve. Mine is red and rated for 10-12 psi. I use it in place of the grey prv valve that is located on the lid. Works pretty well for me. Update us with how the pilsner turns out for you!

I have fermented in 5 gallon corny kegs for 5 years and I really like it. I moved down to doing 2.5 to 3 gallon batches instead of 5 gallons. I have found that smaller batches are easier to move around and make for faster brewdays. Pressurized fermentations a closed transfers work great. Only...

Lighter meaning styles like cream ale, blonde ales, light lagers and kolsch. I have notices that a longer boil really helps these styles shine.

I've been brewing for 17 years, here are three things that have greatly improved the quality of my beer: 1. 90 minutes boils for my lighter beers 2. Temperature control for fermentation 3. Time fermenting and conditioning the finished beer. If I don't have any available homebrew I'm happy to...

Ritebrew is great! They may not have everything that the bigger homebrew shops carry but they have always shipped my orders out quickly and their prices are way better than NB/Midwest Supplies.

I brewed a Cream Ale recipe with a 2nd generation of Novalager yeast slurry and went grain to glass in a week. My grainbill was 75% North Star Pils, 5% carafoam, 10% flaked corn and 10% minute rice. Did a 30 minute mash at 150 and a 90 minute boil with a 60 min. Addition of Willamette hops for...

I too have 3 young kids and the switch to an electric all in one with BIAB from batch sparging made for quick and a lot easier brewdays. I appreciate the delayed timer feature so I wake up to hot strike water. I have a gigawort system but do all grain. 2.5 gallon batches are easier for me to...

First time brewing this beer, did a 2.5 gallon recipe. The only change I made was using only East Kent Golding hops as I didn't have fuggles on hand. This beer is great! Best compliment I got was my wife thinking it was a commercially brewed beer! I will definitely brew this beer again!

Lallemand yeast is my go to brand for yeast. They have expanded their offerings in the last few years and it's a great, consistent product.

Wow! This looks awesome! I bet your neighbors and friends have a blast at your parties!