Recent content by KidMoxie

Great article! IMO the key thing for big beers is to eliminate yeast stress wherever you can, they've got their work cut out for them! Make sure you've got plenty of healthy yeast, nutrients, O2, and proper temp control.

@Snowden Then you'll need a new house for more room for the chest freezers...

@rhys333 You might want to look into @ox45's suggestion of the FoodSaver FreshSaver, it might have better availability in Canada.

@sudbuddy A fair point, but lots of hops are sold in clear vacuum-packed bags and I've never noticed any light damage. On the flip side, most folks' freezers are dark 99% of the time.

@Cheesy_Goodness Glad you liked the article! I agree that there's a wide spectrum of homebrewers out there who might have more money they're willing to spend. I guess the good news is that if you later decide to upgrade to a FoodSaver the only redundant part (the ZipLock Pump) is the cheapest part!

@SnakeRidge Awesome, I've got a few jars still from the 2013 crop that I'd swear were picked yesterday!

@heckofagator If you decide to get a FoodSaver, make sure you get the one that has the jar attachment. You'll still need to get the Regular-Mouth Jar Sealer attachment.

@biochemedic Heh, I actually still have those bags too, maybe I should actually try using them!

Howdy guys, thanks for reading the article! I guess I should note this process also works if you have a fancy vacuum sealer (w/ jar attachment). @unviewtiful nailed why I love this technique: you can keep reusing the Ball jars forever. Also, uh, you don't need to buy an expensive vacuum sealer!

"Eh, it's hot-side" is my favorite thing to say when I goof before chilling. "RDWHAHB" is my favorite thing to say after chilling :)

Don't forget the $5 for shipping! Yeah, $50 for 6 oz was kinda bananas, but I just couldn't help myself! I'm really interested in checking out these new hops. Also, the citrus from the Chama isn't quite like other citrusy hops, there's a pithiness to it, like you're eating an orange slice...

I've had Wookie Jack before but I think it's a different kind of dank, more piney-dank. I'm beginning to think the "herbal" descriptor on these hops is more herbal, if you know what I mean. Not dank, per-se.

Here's everything that's available from Holy Hops at the moment: Amalia: Citrusy, tangerine, slightly minty. Alpha: 4.5%. Beta: 6.0%. Chama: Citrusy, herbal, fruity. Alpha: 7.3%. Beta: 8.2%. Latir: Spicy, herbal, flowery. Alpha: 7.2%. Beta: 5.0%. Mintras: Herbal, minty. Alpha: 4.1%. Beta: 6.2%...

I picked up 3 oz apiece of Chama and Latir, new varieties of neomexicanus hops, from Holy Hops. I'll be brewing with Latir this weekend, but I finally finished my review of Chama which I used in a pale ale a few weeks ago. "Weedy" is not a well-stocked aroma in my palate, but damn Chama is...

New post in the series is up: I reviewed the Chama hops from Holy Hops! http://www.fivebladesbrewing.com/neomexicanus-hop-review-chama/