Search results

This can vary depending on several conditions, but the average primary fermentation is 5 to 7 days for ales. You should judge whether fermentation is complete by taking a sample after fermentation activity subsides. 75-80% attenuation is a good number to look for. If this is achieved, then rack...

I don't think the fermenting vessel has much to do with it. The hot break is important for the quality and clarity of the final beer. It helps coagulate proteins and the vigorous boil drives off DMS. But the baffling thing for me here is the fermentation between your two batches. Are these...

Just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year with plenty of homebrewed beer. From San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and the smallest brewery in the world. Cheers! mark www.backyardbrewer.blogspot.com

I would invest in a large plate chiller. This will work on a gravity fed system and is very efficient in terms of cooling to waste water usage. Duda Diesel is probably the best value. When you order, specify the fittings that are threaded for configuring and adapting to future systems. Just my...

Oxyclean is a detergent not a sanitizer. It definately needs to be rinsed thoroughly and followed with star-san or Iodiphor sanitizer before racking the wort. Cheers! mark www.backyardbrewer.blogspot.com

I figure it like this: o.g. less f.g. devided by o.g. or (.058 - .015 = .043)/(.058) mark www.backyardbrewer.blogspot.com

Sorry, just read the original post and saw that you got a 74% attenuation. mark www.backyardbrewer.blogspot.com

You should have some expectations of proper attenuation regarding final gravity. Wyeast will tell you what the attenuation should be for the type of yeast you used. Taking a sample and confirming that you reached the gravity range of that yeast is the best way to determine if the beer has...

Used regs. are pretty common. I've purchased complete regulators ready to use for my tanks at a local used tools place and they only cost about $12-$16 mark www.backyardbrewer.blogspot.com

I regularly use Minute or instant rice directly in the mash. No need for a cereal mash and this makes for great Am. lagers and cream ales. Cheers! Here's the recipe: http://backyardbrewer.blogspot.com/2010/12/brewing-lagers.html mark www.backyardbrewer.blogspot.com

I never use a seconday. I ferment in the primary until it's done and the krausen drops leaving the surface clear. I then rack to the kegs and do my best to minimize the transfer of yeast from the bottom of the fermentor. I immediately force carbonate and let the beer condition and clear in the...

Tele-novelas (Mexican soap operas) are most recommended but I've also heard that the Spanish dubbed 'Simpson's' is helpful. Buenas suerte! mark www.backyardbrewer.blogspot.com

I'd be o.k. with 70% attenuation but I've also done this - http://backyardbrewer.blogspot.com/2012/06/lowering-gravity-with-brett.html as a way of being creative around under-attenuated beers. Cheers! mark www.backyardbrewer.blogspot.com

I believe that whole hops are 2% less in terms of hop utilization. I believe this is across the board regardless of boil time. So if you are assuming 27% utilization for pellets in a 60 minute boil then plan to extract 25% for whole hops in the same time period. Hope this helps, mark...

There are a few things to consider when force carbonating your beer. First is the amount or volume of co2 that you want and the temperature of the beer you want to carbonate. I've attached a video from my blog that talks and shows how I do it...

I personally crush my grain far more than pictured above. I'm not afraid of a stuck sparge and haven't had one yet dispite the severe crush I inflict on my grain. I would recommend further crushing if you can. The crush is the single best way of improving your efficiency. I get about 85-90%...

I don't lauter. But, when I sparge I use the same amount of time whether 5 or 10 gal. which is 40-45mins. There is no hard set rules on time for me just what is most efficient at the extraction and for me it's 40 mins. mark www.backyardbrewer.blogspot.com

What were your hop additions? Qty's, AA%'s, Utilization%'s ? This information will be helpful in figuring this out. Another thought - What temp was your fermentation? mark www.backyardbrewer.blogspot.com

Pabst Blue Ribbon Clone http://backyardbrewer.blogspot.com/2010/12/brewing-lagers.html that I did a side by side comparison with and couldn't tell the difference. Secondly, my Dog Fish Head Midas Touch clone http://backyardbrewer.blogspot.com/2010/11/midas-touch-clone.html that was close but...

Zee, as I pointed out, allowing the beer to finish fermenting is paramount. But, if the beer is finished fermenting and your attenuation is only 65%, there is a large % of sugar that is most likely long chains that the yeast is unable to deal with (metabolize). Once you bottle, the yeast will...