Recent content by redkegGV

Thanks all for the input - I had a horrible acetaldehyde infection years ago and will never forget it. But.... would diacetyl linger in my fermentors and kegs, even after proper cleaning?

"it's not consistent with the bahavior she describes..." :)

It's not a terribly unpleasant flavor, my "tasters" don't seem to be put off by it. But I taste it in nearly all my beers so I know its an issue. I have switched to using, almost exclusively, Safale 05 dry sachets for my 5 gallon brews. When I am able to avoid this troubling flavor, the yeast...

I have been trying to troubleshoot what I perceive to be an off flavor for what feels like over two years now. The flavor is a cidery/sweetish aroma. It has a subtle cidery taste, and sometimes I perceive it as hot even though my beers are generally well below 6%. I ferment in Anvil stainless...

I just made my first attempt at a big, syrupy, thick stout and these are the things I tried: - super thick mash, sparge only to hit kettle target (used the rest of the second runnings for a smaller version) - 13# grain bill for a 3-ish gal batch (yikes!) - generous additions of oats, dextrine...

I've been working on implementing techniques to help reduce oxidation and off-flavors after bottling. I notice that my beers have very short shelf-life and it is a shame to dump bottles of beer because we simply can't drink it fast enough in its prime. The flavor I get is sweet, sherry-like...

I am having a meeting next Monday to get interested folks together and see if we can re-launch the Gold Country Mashers homebrew club here in Nevada County. Posting here hoping to get some advice on starting a club because I have no idea what I am doing!!!!! Figured I'd start with a casual...

I have been looking all over for a 15-20 gallon electric kettle with a stainless coil for recirculating mash. I can find an electric kettle, I can find a kettle with a coil, but I can't find an electric kettle with a coil. Yes, I could purchase one or the other and modify it, however the cost...

First, thank you for your very helpful opinions. 1. Hose water. There was a time where I literally ran the garden hose straight to my kettle. Yikes. Added the filter and it was a big improvement. You are the second person in two days to suggest new hose- RV hose to be exact. That may be a...

I want to start modifying my brewing water and i've overloaded myself with research. I have not gotten a water report yet. I did purchase a PH meter. I read and own Water by Palmer and Kaminski. I use a Culligan in-line filter on my outside hose tap for water and consistently make beers that...

So how do you like that Fermonster? As a direct result of this particular batch, I am seriously considering investing in stainless buckets. I've got my eye on the budget-friendly Anvil brew buckets (I can a afford a couple) or waiting for Christmas and going all-out with an SS conical.

@BrewingAroundtheRrealm I'm using a glass carboy, uncovered, in a fridge, with a standard bulb as heat source on the bottom shelf, under the carboy. Never dawned on me that could be a problem until I brewed this super light beer. You use a towel? I'm thinking black garbage bag.

WOW. After major technological complications I am finally able to get back on here and update. @dmtaylor ...... Literally two hours after this post I got home and the thing was going crazy. Patience is not my strong suit. This may require a different post, but I'll put it here anyway- - -...

I did a starter, and the starter was not very active, barely detectable. Did produce some effervescence when I shook it, but looked generally flat. Subtle bready odor as per the usual. Pitched 17 hours ago into a Belgian Wit OG 1.041 and no signs of activity. Well-aerated when pitched, and...

Well, after one week of no change in gravity, I decided to keg and carbonate on saturday/sunday and I am very pleased with the results. The bitterness is there, but did get some better counterpart flavor from a much improved malt flavor and developed body. Crisp and cold, it goes down easy and...