Search results

Get a bigger fermenter and you will avoid the blow-off problem. I had a 5-gal carboy for 5-gal batches and had a lot of blowoff. I lost about 1/2 gallon of beer in one batch. Also, unless the tube gets clogged, don't mess with it. You don't need to change the water or remove the tube or...

I wouldn't worry about the clumping. Also, the last few starters I have made i've done 2 cups of water to 1 cup of DME. They have worked wonderfully.

I guess I didnt realize the CO2 would be absorbed and cause a decrease in PSI. I guess I dont remember this on my other beers, since ive done the same thing. I will keep trying it and seeing if it levels out, its probably absorbed.

I will try the soap again. The keg works as it fills up and holds pressure for a little bit, but when I leave it for a day, it looses pressure. About 5psi per 24 hours. I can't hear any leaks, from anywhere from 10psi to 30psi on the tank. The line and everything works fine. I know its a keg...

I purchased a keg recently off craigslist, the guy gave me the keg which was pressurized to show that it worked right. And he also gave me new o-rings to replace the ones on there. So I took it apart, cleaned it all, and put it back together like usual (this is my 3rd keg). And everything is...

If it were me, i'd do a week Primary. 2-3 weeks secondary, bottle for 3 weeks. There is always a debate on whether or not a secondary should be used. But in my personal experience, ive noticed that when I do lighter bodied beers the secondary transfer can help clear the beer up a bit...

1.079 was my OG. I did add the "1% alcohol boost" (ie, Dextrose sugar) that came with the kit from Austin Homebrew. I know that bumped it up a bit, but Im not sure how much exactly. I also had picked up two packs of Packman yeast while I was out (since they didn't have the california V yeast)...

Good idea!! Ill do that! Thanks for the tips! Just wanted to make sure I did things properly :)

The directions on the liquid vial say to let it sit out at room temp for 3-6 hours. Can I pitch it cold? by that time it will only have been out 2 hours.

So im about to make a Dead Guy Ale clone today (estimated SG of 1.080). I am using California V ale yeast. I bought a vial with the kit, and I had every intention to make a starter prior to brew day (today), but I forgot... So I just want to know if I can do this: Before brewing, hit my...

Yeah thats a lot of extract! you should be ok. That top-off is probably the issue with your gravity reading. Did you Aerate your wort before you pitched?

I used to do speciality grains in a separate pot with no issues. I have always done a gallon per pound of specialty grains. However, steeping grains typically, from what the guys here told me, don't increase or decrease the gravity much at all. Because they mainly add color and some flavor...

You can bottle it as soon as the hydrometer readings stay constant for 3 days. But, I find its tastes better if I let it condition in the fermenter for about a month. Its hard to leave it alone, but the taste is worth it.

Yeah, I learned the hard way to avoid the shaking your keg with high pressure. I wasted a lot of beer trying to get the carbonation to settle down after that. I usually do like Yooper. 30/20/12-ish.

Just make a starter, the peace of mind will make you thank us later. I've had a lot more frustrations with beers when I didn't make a starter, than when I have made one. For me, its like making fajitas. You spend all day cooking the meat, rice, beans, veggies, and get all of the side...

Thats the absolute earlier you can bottle, as most beers are typically finished with fermentation by then. Maybe the mentality is that if you are impatient enough to bottle that early, that you will go and buy another kit sooner while its sitting in the bottles. Also, my Imperial Stout kit from...

Cleaning doesn't make it sanitized. You could clean the heck out of everything and have bacteria or something else left over in all the bottles, which can contribute to the off-flavors. Rule of thumb: Clean if it looks visibly dirty, and ALWAYS sanitize. I usually clean everything with soap...

No need to be paranoid. :) In my experience, its rather hard to get an infection. I've made some pretty big mistakes (taking samples with unsanitary tools, etc.) and haven't had an infection. Opening up the bucket isn't gonna do harm under normal conditions.

There is a debate on the hop utilization. But if you have a lighter beer, doing late extract helps give the beer more of a correct color because it doesn't caramelize the extract as much. Some people also notice the caramelized taste if they don't do late extract.

My Imperial Stout is at 2 weeks, and its still bubbling. Its all good. :)