Recent content by Ell

Google for Denny's Bourbon Vanilla Imperial Porter. One of the very best beers I've ever had or brewed. I could drink a pint of the unpitched wort right now- that's how good it is before we even add the vanilla or bourbon. Great, great beer from one of the masters.

Yessiree... sign me up!

This is what I'd expect really - they probably don't even know it's illegal.

I do have the 24v one - so I need to re-sell that on ebay and get the 120 rated controller - right?

OK, so I bought one on ebay, and didn't realize there was a 24v model and a 120 model. I got the 24v (of course). Can I do anything with it, or should I relist it on ebay?

I've got two 5 gallon pale ales fermenting right now - one with US05 and one with a Belgian Strong Yeast. I only have 2 kegs and they have beer in them now, or I'd be drinking them now. I guess I should go ahead and drink a little beer out of that keg now...

Google "Son of a Fermentation Chiller". I'm grabbing my insulation today (hopefully).

If you check Groupon.com, they VERY frequently have a great deal from Midwest for a starter kit. I think they actually have one right now, but YMMV. It's not a fantastic kit, but it's a great starter and you can get that and buy whatever else you need and get in cheap and easy.

And one other thought. 6 Lbs of strawberries seems like a lot, but you get a lot less strawberry flavor than you do from other fruits. From what I've read, that's pretty much spot on.

Yes - let it mellow. I made a strawberry wheat. It was VERY tart and yeasty on the first tasting. A week+ later in the keg and it was really very good.

I brewed a standard extract kit hefe, let it ferment 2 weeks, dropped in 6 lbs of strawberries and let it sit a week. Then I kegged and force carbed. A week later... nice. The strawberries are not overpowering (but I understand that may only be the case with this particular fruit) and it's a...

Criminal! Brewing beer in Mississippi! Harumph! You've got the first batch down... brew again next weekend or you'll be sorry... you'll drink this first batch too fast (not wait long enough for it condition... have some friends over to enjoy it, etc...) and they you'll be out. Welcome to the...

Well, my grand experiment is underway. I moved the hop schedule around a touch - .8 oz Cascade at 15 min, then another .8 at 1 minute. Trying to up the aroma a bit. Will dry hop for 7 days on both. Both the US-05 and the Belgian Strong yeast are bubbling away this morning. I'll let you know...

It's illegal, but there are a couple of LHBS in business in the state. The best one by all accounts in AlaBrew in Pelham (just south of Birmingham - a 2 hr drive for you). I've been there and the folks are knowledgeable in a, well, kinda grumpy way. :) Free the Hops is, in fact, doing the...

They'll sink eventually. It'll be fine as is.