Recent content by smp501

Alright, I'm convinced -- I'll let it be and see how it turns out. Thanks everyone!

Thanks! Personally I don't mind a good super-hoppy beer (e.g. Ruination), but my main concern is that I won't have enough body. I did a bit more searching and found this thread here: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f13/late-sugar-addition-fermentation-bu-gu-120433/ which pretty much says that I...

Hi! I brewed my 1st IPA yesterday, and I think I might have too high of a BU/GU ratio. Here's what I have: Batch Size: 5.5 Gal 1.0# 2-row .75# Munich .75# carapils 1.0# Crystal 20L .25# Torrified Wheat 6.0# Extra Light DME 1.0 oz Chinook 35 min 2.0 oz Cascade 35 min 3.0 oz...

I actually made this same kit a few months ago. Here's what I recommend: Steep the grains at 155 for 30 minutes in like 3 gallons of water. Make the biggest boil you can and boil everything for about 20 minutes. Bring it up to 5 gallons and cool it down to as close to 62 F as possible...

Alright, I made it and it smelled great! I ended up using 1.5# of honey instead of 1 and I got an OG of 1.068 (good thing I made the half gallon starter!). I think this ought to turn out really good, and I'll give feedback when it's ready. Thanks everyone!

Thanks! I'm roughly basing this on Chimay red, but subbing honey for candy and keeping everything extract-friendly (I intend to learn to partial mash for my next brew). According to Qbrew, the numbers roughly match up. Also, should I steep the orange peel and cinnamon sticks or just drop them in?

So, this will be my fourth brew ever and my first Christmas ale. I'm aiming for a Belgian-style with a good "Christmas" feel to it. Here's what I've come up with: 6.625# Extra-light DME 1# Orange blossom honey (locally made) .375# (6 oz) Crystal 120L .625# (10 oz) Crystal 40L .25# (4 oz)...

Thanks! There will be a lot of "firsts" for me with this brew (honey, yeast starter, all the spices), but I'm really excited to try it.

I was going to add a pack of gelatin (dissolved in hot water) when racking to secondary to clear it up a bit. Does 2 weeks sound like too much?

So, this will be my fourth brew ever and my first Christmas ale. I'm aiming for a Belgian-style with a good "Christmas" feel to it. Here's what I've come up with: 6.625# Extra-light DME 1# Orange blossom honey (locally made) .375# (6 oz) Crystal 120L .625# (10 oz) Crystal 40L .25# (4 oz)...