Recent content by trashman

I'm sorry if I'm about to get blasted here, but here goes. You didn't say what your batch size is. If doing a 5 gallon batch, why not just pitch the smack-pack? I do 5 gal. brews and have never made a starter and have yet to get bad fermentation. Sometimes within 2 hours I get airlock action. I...

There is a couple of ways you can go. First off if you do the traditional method, you will ferment your fruit & sugar recipe until approxamatly half the sugars are converted. Then fortify with brandy or vodka. If you live where everclear is available that would be best, as its closest to...

Honestly I would research the coffee boil more than the seperate grain additions. Everything I have read and heard is that you'll get a better-less bitter coffee flavor by doing a cold steep with it instead of boiling it at all. The only time I have used coffee (in a stout) I boiled it for the...

Several years ago while vacationing in Leavenworth, WA. we ate lunch at the Leavenworth Brewery. First time I had ever tasted beer that was so fresh and not mass produced lager. Unfortunatly they sold out and are no longer in the town. Another brewery bought them out and some of the beers are...

I've been following this thread for a few weeks and wanted to try to make something nice for the family to drink during the Holidays. While at the pumpkin patch last Sunday afternoon I picked op 4 gallons of fresh pressed cider. I steeped .5lb of crystal 40L and 1 oz. of torrified wheat. Added...

Well, It really sounds like we brewing side by side almost. Kinda cool to find that everything I experienced was for the most part normal for this recipe. All my previous beers have been from a book or a couple I made up on my own from micro brewery listed ingredients and Beertools.com software...

I kegged on monday as well. Mine is dry also. It is definatly the lightest beer I have ever made. I was light on the hops so its not bitter at all. My cascades were kind of high alpha at 7.8%. So I used a light hand in bittering. I didn't want an IPA. I think it will be a nice refreshing beer...

To the original poster, you might want to verify you have the proper regulator with your burner. I looked up the banjo burner on amazon.com and saw it called for a 30psi. regulator. I would think if it shipped with something smaller it could be a problem as well.

Can I also add that opening the valve on the fuel tank too quickly can also trip the safety mechanism in the regulator resulting in a minimal flame.

It is a learning experience indeed. By the sounds of it we have definatly got the same beer going. Mine too is dryer than expected. I racked to 2nd. on Saturday and it was down to 1.006. Also very hazy as yet. I did my Porter yesterday and was very happy with the results. My numbers were...

Hey dantodd, hows the pale ale comming? Mines still perking away in the garage. I may rack to a carboy this weekend. I had a home repair issue come up and didn't add any extract, and as you suggested to leave it be and see how it came out anyway. I've got all the stuff for a porter. If I can...

I did the same thing yesterday. I've been putting together the equipment for awhile and pulled the trigger yesterday. Same recipe too. I came up a little short on my SG. 1.046 and my final volume was 4.5 gallons as well. I think in hind sight that I mashed a little cooler than I should...

Ron Zacapa gets my #1 vote. Pyrat and Sailor Jerry will do just fine as well since we cant get Zacapa in Washington unless we bring it in ourselves.