Recent content by HolyDiver

First rule of homebrew... don't trust the instruction in a kit.

The website data sheet says it can go as low as 57. So I don't see why not. I have used it as low as 62, with no problems.

With an OG of 1.050 I would say that 1.010 is closer to the proper FG than 1.020. Sounds like your instructions were off.

The lower FG actually means your beer will have a higher alcohol content. It also means that you beer will be a little dryer than intended. I wouldn't worry about it too much, you most likely still have a decent product.

It's all good. I have done this before. Just leave it there, it shouldn't effect the beer at all. Just chalk it up as a lesson learned, and use a blow off tube next time.

Experimenter all you want. It's your beer!

I'm not sure about the left pic. But the right one looks like hops floating on the surface.

I have read on these forums that aging with oak chips should be done off the yeast. I don't know if this is true. But when I oak age I play it safe and secondary. It sounds like the 3 months storage means conditioning with the oak. But you should get the flavor your looking for sooner than...

I lived in Natomas before I moved to Denver. I would frequent the BJ's there. It was a great place to get decent beer, in a town that lacks a good brewery. Can't beat the $6 lunch special with $3 pints. I love Tatonka stout!

Looks normal.

I pitched the yeast after all the craziness, so the boiling water was mixed in very well. It was a Wyeast London Ale (1028) slurry from a lower gravity batch. The samples have tasted not bad, yet not great. I don't think it is infected. Really what it looks like is a beer with a bunch of...

I had a few too many home brews while brewing a partial mash Ipa a few weeks ago. Things seemed to be going fine. I chilled wort, transferred to my carboy, got my hydro reading, then when I went to check it, I instantly realized what I missed. My sg was 1.040, and should have been about...

Good luck!

If these are your big mistakes. Then I'd say you had a very good first brew day. I could have made a long laundry list of things I did wrong on my first brew. Still the beer came out fine.

Ya, your likelihood of needing a blow off for the 6 gallon is a bit higher.