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While these don't sound like normal issues related to low ph (astringency, poor head retention and efficiency, etc) if the only beers affected are those using dark and roasted malts, it's a good place to start and an easy variable to eliminate. You could either get some ph strips from your...

^ definitey agree. Factor in the 5-10 degree increase generated by the fermentation and that 65 is looking good, maybe a bit warm as stated above. 73 ambient can push you way over where you want to be. I have a chest freezer with a Johnson controller and I find around 60-62 a pretty good...

You may be better off with a pack for each. Would be a bit more cost but at least you know you are getting the right ratio of bugs to yeast.

A primary fermentation with the blend should give you a more sour profile, but Roeselare is known for taking quite a long time to develop that character. You are correct as not to make a starter. As for leaving in primary for the duration, the Brett will feed on the dead cells. I've seen and...

Mash ph is the first thing to come to my mind as well. See if you can get a local water report and plug it into one of the water calculators online along with your grain bill. This will give you an approx idea of where your mash ph is and what you would need to do to correct it.

Does sound like the yeast may be in question. Pick up some fresh yeast from your LHBS and pitch it. Wont hurt any. I would only open the lid once, check the gravity if you want but if there are no visible signs of any krausen I'd just pitch a pack of S-05 or something. 63 is a good ambient...

Yep. Be on the look out for used kegs on Craigslist as well. As others have said, extra O-rings are a good investment as well.

Glad I made the switch as well. Get yourself a counter pressure filler (or make one) an you'll have the best of both worlds. Filling up a couple bombers off the tap for club meetings and get togethers takes all of 5 minutes. Congrats!

Seemed I would always end up spillilng wort all over me or soaking my shoes and jeans when cleaning. Found some rubber boots at Big 5 for $12 and a nice painters apron with pockets and stuff for $20. I now look like a serial killer when I brew, but at least Halloween is covered :rockin:

^ ha!

35 isn't a bad score at all. Plus, you can use the subjective notes of the judges to apply towards your next batch. Comps can be helpful in getting an outside opinion, just remember that not everybody tastes beer the same.

There were so many great beers, hard to choose a favorite. I did find myself returning to Tacoma's Four Banger quite a bit though.

I use the SQ-14 and love it. Fits keggles with room to spare and is very sturdy. I usually fill my HLT and turn the burner on while mlling my grains and getting set up, then heat up the sparge during the mash. Sparge from 50 or so to 190 in about 45 min, and that's not having the burner turned...

My setup seems very similar to most. When used with an IC it really knocks the temps down fast. Like others have said, letting it sit for a while gives some pretty clear wort into the primary. I just disconnect the return and pump it right into the carboy.

I'm military. Got an IPA and a Hefe bottled up and ready to go. Putting my porter in as well so looks like I'll be going up against your brews. Haha! Good luck everybody. Hope the judges give good notes. Cheers!

I don't think I've ever seen pomegranate purée before, but t souds pretty good. You could always blend your wheat with pomegranate juice at kegging/bottling.

Agreed. I prefer to test a sample, know what I am starting with and make adjustments as needed based on the grain bill. Plus, once you get the hang of knowing and adjusting your water chemistry, you can develop different water profiles to accentuate different aspects of your beers.

Ha ha, awesome :D

That's what I was thinking too. See you all there! :mug:

I was checking the website out yesterday and trying to decide if "the works" tickets are worth it. Looks like you get a friday event, both sessions saturday, 12 tokens and a mug for $50 vs the $20 one saturday session 6 token deal. We moved to the area just recently and haven't bee before, any...