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The Smashing Pumpkin Ale kit arrived two days ago, and the rice hulls arrived from Amazon today. Before I start the kit, just to be sure I'm on track, I've written up the following preliminary instructions. I've noted the sections where I'm unsure as to whether I'm on track. Any comments will...

Thanks, IslandLizard and Leezer, the info you've given me is invaluable, and may make a brewer out of me yet! I'm looking forward to making this brew using the new (to me) techniques you've described. I will do my best to come back to this thread in a few weeks to let you know how it went.

That's my plan. I bought a nylon paint strainer bag at the hardware store for the purpose. So, to sparge I pour boiling water over (through?) the contents of the paint strainer bag? Thanks, IslandLizard, for your patience, but I'm not sure I follow that comment. Are you saying to pour the...

I'll try to remember to post an update in a month or so, after I get it made.

Thanks, Knightshade, I did see that, but it seemed to be contradicted by the "How to Add Pumpkin to Your 5 Gallon Extract Beer Recipe Kit" instructions linked to from the Smashing Pumpkin Ale product page, which doesn't mention adding the specialty grains. That and the temperature differences...

I've gone through the forums reading all the pumpkin ale recipes in preparation for making the NB Smashing Pumpkin Ale that I have on order, and have a question I haven't found an answer to. I'm using 3 15-oz cans of pumpkin, so I ordered 3 lbs of Rahr 6-row as NB suggested. The NB site has a...

I'm using a six-gallon carboy as the fermenter, and up to now the gallon of headspace has been plenty. But all of the other brews were done when my basement was at around 60-62 degrees F. We've had a warm spell here, and the basement is currently at 71F, and as I said, I used a new (to me) yeast...

The home brew setup my wife bought me last Christmas included a blow-off tube, which, after nine batches of beer, was still unused. I was beginning to think Northern Brewer had taken my wife for a sucker and sold her an unnecessary item. But Monday I started a Porter kit with Nottingham yeast...

I've had the same problem as the OP with dry hops not dropping out of suspension. I use a six-gallon carboy as the fermenting vessel, so a nylon bag isn't really an option. With regard to cold crashing, what is the best method if you don't have access to a refrigerator? And when would you start...

Quarts?!? Surely you jest!

I would love to have one of these! Thanks, Inkbird!

It probably goes without saying, but if, like me, the OP is doing partial brews, and then topping up to five gallons in the fermenter, he'll need to wait until aftter he's transferred all of the wort and topped up to take the gravity reading.

I still consider myself a rank newb, but maybe I'm an incredibly lucky one! I've made seven five-gallon batches since my wife got me brewing equipment last Christmas, and I've started all of them with dry yeast. Since I use a carboy as my fermenter, I can't sprinkle all over the top of the wort...

Thanks for the opportunity!

The vinator sits in a kind of bowl that you pour the StarSan into. I dip the first inch or two of the neck in StarSan in the bowl after I spray the inside of the bottle. It's quick and easy.

I've only done six five-gallon batches, five from Northern Brewers and one from Mainbrew in Portland. The batch from Mainbrew is still bottle conditioning, but while all of the NB brews have been good, their Ace of Spades Black IPA is by far the best. I'm planning to start a second batch of it...

Star San makes a fair amount of foam, but if you're only doing a couple of cases of bottles, it isn't unmanageable. And I meant to add in my first message above that when I added the vinator to my setup, I also added a bottle rack, and I also recommend you get one of those. The rack makes sure...

I second that!

If the extract kit includes a bag of grain along with the extracts, is it worthwhile to add the Irish moss then?

I added the yeast at 69F for the amber ale, and 70F for the Hefe. And responding to khf4s10, it's not that the beer has gone bad, its just that it leaves a not-all-that-pleasant flavor in the back of the mouth after the swallow. I guess I'll just hurry up and drink it (waste not, want not) and...