Recent content by KyBeer

On tap right now is a clone of Hop Ju Ju and a Dark Caramel / Pale Ale. Next up will be a Lager or ale with Lost Link Yeast. Great to see your support of a great site.

When I upgraded my brew system to electric I went with a 240V/50A BCS Control System. Two 5500W elements and two 120V pumps. I used a spa GFCI. The big issue I had was venting the steam out of the house. When the HLT and BK both working it can put two gallons of moisture an hour in the air...

As an electrical/mechanical installer for 40 years I have seen this type of damage from loose connedtions and corrosion from dissimilar metal connections. The best way to avoid this type of damage is to check for secure connections. When I built my system befor the first power up I double...

I worked at a local microbrewery for a few months after I retired from my real job. I did this to learn what was done on the mid scale brewing systems. They had the same water as I get from my tap. They filtered it the same as I do but only added gypsum on a few brews and yeast nutrient on the...

Sort of. If I want to narrow it down to a beer in a single style you need to know the exact target for that style, not a general guess. I have both books and they point you to a general area. Is there a suggested profile for a selected BJCP group? IE. 20A should have 70-80 CL, ...

I have "Water" by Palmer and Kaminski and "Designing Great Beers" by Daniels. Both are go to books in my brew library. I use Brewers Friend to build my water profiles. It works great but I am making assumptions on what the target should be for what I am brewing. I can make good beer but I...

I have been brewing for over 30 years and can make almost any beer I want to make. With that said I want to improve to the next level. I can build a water profile to almost any target with my tap water or a a blend of distilled water. What I have trouble finding is the targets for different...

I chased my PH when I first started testing. I found the water source listed in Brewers Friend was a little out of date. Sent in a sample to Ward Labs and have been on track since. Has anyone seen PH levels change with the seasons? Mine do some, but I think its due to my water source is from...

What system do you use for record keeping? My 3-inch binder will not close any more. 30 plus years of brewing it's out of hand.

1993. Listermann's Red Ale kit. They stopped making my goto beer, "Red Wolf", and I wanted to find a replacement. Never thought I would still be brewing but I still enjoy a good homebrew.

Sometimes the "How" needs a "Why".

I have a pressure regulator that fits on the gas side of the keg and have tried fermenting under pressure. The issues I had and not sure how to address were dry hopping and sediment in the bottom of the tank. How did you address those issues?

I like the heat pads because there are no moving parts. The 27 watt heater has pushed two 6 gallon carboys to 80 degrees in a high 60 degree room.

I improved temperature control by placing about half an inch insulation under the carboy and covering with a couple of beach towels. The concrete floor in contact with the carboy seemed to wick the heat out. Great for summer but not so good in the winter. Slipping the heat pad between and the...