Recent content by MarkUsBrew

I second that! I have a case of Westmalle waiting for my week off at Christmas. :ban:

Not sure if this is helpful, but I've used 1388 for about 8 batches and 570 once. None of these batches tasted like Duvel (which is probably my favorite commercial beer). However, I did a batch with Wyeast 1762 (Abbey 2) and two pounds of honey, and it tasted closer to Duvel than any of the...

I couldn't disagree with you more!! Duvel is one of my favorite beers, but it is slightly sour if not served at the optimum temperature range (which is a little bit on the warm side). I guess we just have a difference in taste. But as you stated, its not a trippel. Besides the ones...

I have a couple cases of bottles that have been slow to carbonate. As the AC has been running pretty much 24/7 lately, I moved them to the garage to increase the carbonation temperature. Its probably at least the low 90s in my garage - will this temperature cause any issues with my beer?

I've used this yeast for about 12 batches, and it is always slow to start in comparison to all other strains I've used (even with a starter). I usually ferment all my Belgians in the 65-70 range.

Here's what I recently brewed with this yeast: Fermentables 9lb. Muntons Extra Light DME 2lb. Belgian Candi Sugar Hops Bittering 1.5 oz Hallertau (6%) & 0.5 oz Saaz (3.5%) (pellets) Aroma 0.5 oz Hallertau & 0.5 oz Saaz [50 min] Spices 1/2 oz bitter orange peel [47 min] 1/2 oz...

No work - cashews Some work - cheddar cheese and crackers A little more work - WINGS!! (I learned how to make great wings last Fall, and break out the deep fryer whenever I can)

I've used this yeast on three batches and they have all turned out great. These batches were smoother and maybe slightly dryer than W1214, but I am horrible at describing taste (just know that it tastes good). Here is the recipe for the last batch I made with this strain and it was...

"Gott Mit Uns" means "God's with us". It was the motto of the Prussian kings, and was on the belt buckles of the regular German army in WWII - the SS used the motto "Meine Ehre heißt Treue" (my honor is loyalty). So, I would say JacktheKnife is not a "nazi", but rather a WWII buff such as...

Got mine today - much, much thanks!!! What a great deal!

My favorites are Belgian strong ales.

Ahh, Belgium - one day I will make the trip to beer-Mecca!

I'm a total brewing atheist (though Catholic otherwise). I've used some sort of spice (paradise seeds, bitter and sweet orange peel, sweet gale, etc.), Belgian candy sugar and/or honey in all 27 batches I've made to date.

Thanks all! I'm feeling a little better about this batch. Strange that it happened like this - I wonder if colder temperatures in my house may have caused it?

I made a starter on Monday for a batch I brewed last night (Wednesday). I had smacked the yeast pack (Wyeast 3522 - Belgian Ardennes Ale) about 8 hrs before preparing the starter, and it was fully swelled at pitching. I had about 2" krausen in the starter Tuesday night, which fell before...