Recent content by Ike

Googled a bit and couldn't come up with the right terms to produce results. SO: As I was using my hand-pump sprayer to spray lawn chemicals, I thought about using one to deliver starsan as an upgrade to a hand-held spray bottle. Thing is, I've left plastic and vinyl in my starsan bucket for too...

I know, I know: pictures pictures pictures. Unfortunately, this was a bit too hard to get the camera to focus on to get a good shot. So, to describe: This SHOULD be a perfectly normal batch of cider for me; in fact, it's supposed to be a control to compare against a test batch of two new...

@inkbird : Have you had anyone else have an issue with the automatic discount application after trying the raffle? I was going to pick up my third 308 to replace my last Johnson controller, but when I "add to cart" the item is regular price rather than 20% off as suggested by the link.

ALMOST too pretty to brew in. I said almost!

Googling around a bit didn't give me any leads, so: Anybody have a source for a concentrate (preferred) or juice from honest to goodness cider apples? I'm looking for something in the bittersharp range; something with a good belt of tannins and acidity that I can use in small quantities to bump...

Please, and thank you! Ike

Thanks to all for the replies! Clearly, my pipeline for "test projects" has now a bit more robust.

Are you using a lot of Campden tablets, or other sulfite additions? What is your beverage of choice other than cider? Beer, wine, or liquor? Whenever I hear someone complaining of a stuffy nose from drinking hooch I immediately think about sulfite sensitivity.

SO, I've been making very well-received, but very sweet, ciders for a few years now. The recipe is pretty much the same one everyone else seems to use, and had its roots in the now-famous "caramel apple cider" thread here on HBT: 5 gallons store-bought juice; 2 pounds light brown sugar; 4 tsp...

To what degree will the alcohol volatilize (evaporate) out of solution? ...assuming the test bottle isn't capped, of course.

Yep, I did. I did the usual "five flushes" with the CO2 then disconnected them again and gave them some easy tipping over and back several times. Then, I put them back on the gas for a week or so to carb up, then tasted.

I cruised around the forum and Googled a bit and didn't find an answer to this one. Looking at Google Images seemed to give me a mixed bag of results, so I thought I'd pull the trigger and start a new thread; also doing so to keep the other pasteurizing threads on-topic. The official question...

I did the calculation based on the grams of carbohydrate listed in the NIPS section on the can, then solved for the total in the whole can. I don't recall the number exactly but I thought it was about 0.006 for the size batch I was adjusting so I really wasn't expecting the kick I got. No...

For the sake of completion, for when/if this thread is dusted off by some other noobie brewer: I added one can of FAJC to each 2.5 gallon keg, completely without issue. The first time I was as quick as I could be about it; the second time, I even lingered for a couple of seconds to see if any...

How's your oxidation control? One of the symptoms (among others) that folks here mention is that color darkens with oxidation. "End of fermentation" seems really early to be seeing it, but... maybe? Color also tends to darken as fermentation completes as suspended particulate catches light and...