Recent content by lmacmil

Thanks. I'm at Lowe's at least once a week! :D

Thanks all. I've got a 2-gallon bucket in my shopping cart along with a 1 gallon extract kit.

I've been drinking more wine than beer lately so I want to try a 1 gallon batch of beer instead of 5. Can I use my 5 gallon fermenting pail and carboy for a 1 gallon batch? Or will all that extra air volume screw things up? I'd prefer not to buy stuff for 1 gallon brewing in case this is a...

I've always brewed from a kit that makes 5 gallons. I want to try brewing without using a kit but don't want to make 5 gallons in case it doesn't turn out. Is the best thread for tips of brewing a small batch, i.e., 1 or maybe 2.5 gallons? (If so, I've got a lot of reading to do!) Question...

I think I got it guys, thanks for your help.

I am only 1 for 4 in successfully breaking the activator packet inside the Wyeast package. I have watched the videos on the Wyeast site but still no luck (except once). I know I can just open the activator and pitch into the wort with the yeast but I'd like to see that package swell the way...

I am assuming the concentrate lasts pretty much forever (correct me if that is not correct.) What about the diluted solution you sanitize with? I mixed up some in May for my last brew. I'm ready to brew again. Is it still good?

My last two batches (a wheat beer and an amber ale) have not produced much head when poured. The carbonation level seems fine when drinking. The batch before the last two, a Sierra Nevada-clone, had a tremendous head even when poured gently. Is head a function of carbonation or is it...

Squirts as in from a spray bottle?

I like to give away some of my beer to friends so I usually bottle 6-12 in bottles that came from commercial beer. Then I give those away and don't worry about getting them back. Haven't had a problem doing this but I'm wondering if there is any reason not to. I suppose that bottles not...

I have stored cleaned bottles for up to a couple weeks with no problem. I just put a layer of foil over the case and something on top to keep the foil tight. In fact, I just cleaned a case of bottles this morning that I don't plan to use until Sunday. Haven't had a problem yet.

The packages all say 1 oz and on my 1# scale, they are all about 1 oz. This is my 7th time (all from kits) and the first time I recall the packages being different from the recipe.

Unless you are in England or Canada! :D

I got an amber ale kit from Austin Homebrew. It contains three 1 oz packages of hop pellets. The recipe calls for 3/4 oz of one and 1/2 oz of the other two. I don't recall not using the entire package in the past unless I just wasn't paying attention. What, if anything, can I do with the...

My well water is very hard and the solution clouded up immediately. I mixed up 1.25 gal using 1/4 oz so I guess I won't worry about saving it. My 8 oz bottle will mix 32 batches. That should last me for several years. :D