Recent content by coldknife

It is great to brew a batch and say that you grew your own hops.

I planted 5 different types but the cascades were the only ones that produced cones this first year. I hope to get a bigger yield this year from all of them.

My first picking. This was a little under 3 pounds. My total for the year was a bit over 6 pounds.

Some beautiful cones

This is my first year growing hops. My wife was jealous all summer because I would go straight to my hops when I got home every evening.

I read that article this afternoon right before a brewing session and was surprised that I had never thought of or read about the minerals already in the extract. I considered going to get some distilled water but said what the hell. I will try it on my next brew and see if I can detect a...

After 12 years of Home Brewing I have discovered that like any other food or drink people either like it or they dont. I dont take it personnal if someone does not like or refuses to try my brew. I always keep a sixer of Miller Lite , wine etc. in my fridge for guests and dont push my home...

I was wondering if any one has ever used the Tap-A-Draft kegging system available from morebeer.com. I am a long time home brewer but have never ventured into the world kegging but plan on converting soon. I like the idea of kegging in smaller containers so I can still bottle some for outings...

Thats how I have done my bottles for years without ever having a problem. I rinse them out each time I open one and hit it with a brush if needed. Then whenever I bottle I run them in the dishwasher an hour or two before hand and let the heat cycle do its thing...

Here is what I do to label my bottles. I use Avery 3/4" round labels and and print the style (exp. pils., stout, etc.) and the date that I bottle and affix them to the cap. These labels are available in different colors so it make identification easy. Also when you pack a cooler to take to...

I say go for it. Refridgerate one and see how it tastes. I almost always try one of my brews after 7-10 days just to get an idea of how they turned out and then let the rest age. As a new brewer you need to learn as much as you can. Go and buy any books you can find. I have been brewing for...