Recent content by drux_tx

EdWort's Apfelwein (V5) - Brew Date: 01.18.09 - Bottle Date: 03.31.09 (72 days) 3.0 G 100% Apple Juice (no preservatives - Tree Top) 1.5 G Newman's Own Concord Grape & Black Cherry Juice 4.0 # Brown Sugar - Imperial Montarecht Dry Wine Yeast OG: 1.080 @ 69 oF FG: 1.000 @ 72 oF ABV...

I've been using 4# of brown sugar to 5 gallons of apple juice. The end product is just fine. :) Bottling another batch today.

I started another batch today with TreeTop juice & "Imperial Brown Sugar" from CostCo and got an OG of 1.078 @ 72 oF, so I guess it's the juice/sugar. The solution is definitely *darker* than the stuff using WalMart supplies. Not quite the 1.090 that people have reported, but certainly happily...

I started my second batch of Apfelwein today, and again, only got a starting gravity of 1.061. I had originally thought it was because I didn't give the carboy a good shake before taking the sample but not this time. Mind you, I'm using Walmart's "Great Value" 100% juice (from concentrate)...

i must totally be an impatient person. i just bottled my first batch of apfelwein today. the final gravity was 1.010, so i know it's not 100% done, but figured that's okay -- i just didn't prime it. Plus, the wife likes her stuff less carbonated, so she's okay by it. This was after 3.5 weeks...

Ditto! I'm already doing my planning. I've got clay for soil, so I'm planning on doing planters, but after seeing the "Dirty Jobs" episode, I'm going to have to think through this. It seems we can count on a handful of days of those lovely straight-line winds, not to mention the baking heat, so...

Ok, so I just cracked open one of my chocolate oatmeal stouts, and it's initially a little disappointing... Over time, I think the chocolate "nose" will develop, but it doesn't really have the thicker mouth-feel and dark flavor I wanted. I'm not sure what the original is supposed to be like, but...

So, I'd like to try to develop a cheaper version of this batch that I'm drinking. My goal is to develop a recipe that results in a good session all-purpose ale, suitable for pretty much anything. My original recipe calls for 2oz Challenger & 1 oz First Gold; but I'm seeing where I can buy a...

Strangely enough, I haven't had a problem, though you're now making me nervous. :) My average temp in the house is around 76-78 oF, I've pitched at 79-81 oF on two batches, one of which I'm drinking quite happily right now. The other I have fermenting (a chocolate oatmeal stout) and do not...

Aha! And, so I see. Yah, the soil I have here is that nasty-nasty-nasty clay, so my garden is all up in boxes. I'll just construct me a nice little planter this winter and be ready for my new adventure in hop growing. I'm not sure if I can set up a 10-15' trellis, but I'll figure something...

Huh, since the acquisition apparently went through in the mid-90's, I guess all I've had is the Heineken-bought stuff. I never said it was the most wonderful beer in the world, but I have a lot of memories of hanging out in near-empty Chicago polish bars that served it. Anyway, thanks for the...

Pretty pictures in that thar PDF. Thanks! :) I'm so torn between doing Fuggles or Cascades.

Old Style still holds a place in my heart. My grandfather had it kegged in his basement bar. Every Thanksgiving, I'd forgo eating at the "kids table" and somehow find my way down there. *burp* It does go well with White Castles. Neither of which I can get down here, probably for the...

My first few batches here were based off of Coopers Kits. I did the Real Ale, the Bavarian Lager, the Bitter, and the Dark Ale. In all cases, I ended up using the same method. The results were decent and drinkable, but my "recipe" batches are way, way better. I still have several bottles of...

They must have restocked since I was there on Tuesday -- they didn't have any Baltika in stock. You're absolutely right regarding the help, though. The section manager is good, but my wife had asked a week ago for a barley wine (at my request) and said they didn't have any -- well, I had found...