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Bigger is better... so I’ve heard!

When I started making starters, I bought a 1 liter flask. I now have a larger flask, but still employ the smaller flask. I fill the 1 liter flask all the way to top with water. I boil that with DME, and then that wort goes into the larger flask that I cool to room temp. Then about 12 hours...

I usually take OG with hydrometer and refractometer. My last brew I took a sample at start of boil with refractometer, and then for og. However at og, sample thingy had water in it, and diluted sample. Noticed when I used hydrometer. If you have both, use them for og.

I couldn’t disagree more. But then again I don’t know what breweries you’ve toured. Left Hand is a good brewery and has been around for years for a reason. Just think they got a bad batch of yeast. But I do agree with what you said about White Labs. I would probably not sell yeast to them...

I don’t have the greatest palate. I live only a couple miles from Left Hand. I love their Milk Stout. My favorite from them. I had a pint of that batch in their tasting room, and I said to my wife that it just was not that good that night. Not sure I would have gone the lawsuit route, but I...

Next purchase co2 regulator, tank and gas. 1st time with gas will be about $100. That’ll include the tank, then around $20 after that for refills. Buy a good regulator.

Do you buy your hops in bulk? Are they all from the same batch? I have a hard time believing it’s the carboy.

Maybe it’s me, but isn’t 2 ounces of hops a lot for a 1 gallon batch? Even when that settles, it’s a bunch of hop debris. If you move the fermenter at all it’ll get stirred up. As for the brew bucket, I bought one after Christmas and love it so far. With that, you won’t have to disturb the...

I think it’ll go. But here’s a couple ideas. For the warmer temps, unplug the fridge. Freeze some soda bottles filled with water to get those higher temps, but try to stay in low 60s. A brew belt (heater), and temp controller would be ideal for your setup.

Use corn sugar next time. Add it to the entire batch at once, and make sure it’s dissolved, and evenly mixed into the beer. Avoid adding directly to the bottles. Pain in the... Been a while since I bottled, but I seem to recall 4 oz corn sugar, stirred into 2 cups boiling water for 10 minutes...

Great story and memories for you. I wish I had a mentor like that when I started. I made a brew log sheet early on in my brewing, but I recently went through it reminiscing about past brews and maybe rebrewing some. I was amazed at how many times I didn’t bother with final gravity. Take good...

That looks tasty. I might enjoy a beer with rosemary this summer thanks to you. Cheers, and thanks for the thread.

I might not totally understand your process, but, when I started using a blowoff tube it was because I had an explosive fermentation. Since that time, I rarely have any wort/beer in the blowoff tube. So in my case, I can’t count on getting any yeast to inoculate the starter.

That's one of the things I love about brewing. You can make it as simple or as complicated as you want. Buy more gadgets... or not. It doesn't take much to make beer. I love brewing outside in my driveway with my 3 tier gravity setup.

What temperature are you fermenting at?

You’re scaring me with that balancing act. Curious to hear final results. Thanks for sharing. Careful with those carboys.

Yeah, you jumped the gun, but you already know that. I think you’re doing the right thing now. Let it go at least 10 days. Then bottle. Never give up on a beer until you’re sure it’s no longer good. In other words don’t dump it. It may turn out great. Gotta keep it at least until St. Patty’s Day.

I would ditch the gelatin. Not because of your gravity, but it’s a stout. Does it need to be clear? I’m a whirfloc guy, but on porters and stouts, I always leave it out. Just my 2 cents.

There you go!!

Mostly fermenter parts, siphon. Sometimes I might be kegging another beer on brew day. Stuff needed for that might also be taking a soak along with Conical fermenter, valves, dip tubes etc. During a break on brew day I’ll assemble the fermenter, and fill with star San until right before I...