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Hi, So last night I enjoyed a Sierra Torpedo IPA and it struck me that it seemed to share taste similarities with some of the flavors I taste in Belgian's that I've tried. So I filed that a way for future exploration. Then today, I was tasting a batch I brewed back in July. This was my...

Hi, I'm making an AG pale ale Friday. I've been reading up on FWH and am going to try it for the first time. I've read some different things about the effect of FWH, and am wondering if my flavor additions are redundant here? Or the dry hopping? Going for a PA on the low IBU end with fruity...

Hi, this is version 2 based on feedback I received last week. My main question from the experienced is does this appear to be balanced hop/malt? Any other feedback appreciated. Thanks. Recipe Specifications -------------------------- Boil Size: 8.93 gal Post Boil Volume: 7.80 gal Batch...

I just did the 10gall Rubbermaid conversion found on these pages. I now know I overtightened. When I searched "over tighten" while adjusting, I only found posts saying their results were tight and unmoving. So, I tightened. Later, when I searched more closely I found lots of posts about not...

I'm aiming to make a red that is moderately hoppy, somewhat fruity/floral, but reasonably balanced. I already use the Columbus/Cent/Cascade for my pale ale, and I have a very sweet dark amber. Hoping to have something in between. Any comments on the Simcoe/Amarillo combo below? I read...

I just purchased a 10 gallon rubbermaid cooler from Lowe's. I tested 6 gallons in it at 162 degrees for an hour with blankets on top. It ended at 158. I've read that some fill the lid with foam to help heat loss. This may even be better? My question is, for those of you who've gone that...

I just finished my second all grain batch. First time I batch sparged, second I tried fly sparging. In both cases I ended up with about 58% efficiency. I suspect my main culprit is my cooler. I lose about 18 degrees over the hour even with blankets around it. Would this be a big...

Hi, Here's the short version. After 2 weeks fermenting I opened bucket to take a gravity reading and dry hopped at the same time. Rookie mistake as I figured fermentation was done (based on all all my previous batches). Turned out fermentation had stalled (OG 1.050, reading was 1.020). I...

I've been reading all I can on cold steeping both here and elsewhere. Some places indicate that the cold steeped liquid should be added late in the boil, others say it doesn't matter, just add it to the kettle before boiling. So, does anyone have any experience with this? It would be...

Bottled an Imperial Stout on 1/29 and it came out a little too undercarbed. I only used 90grams of sugar at the time and I realize that was a bit low. After nearly 3 months in the bottle, I don't think it will change much. Has anyone tried popping bottles open and pouring more sugar in...

I just upgraded from QBrew to Beersmith so I can get the best hop utilization info among other things. I'm transferring over my past recipes and notice that BS gives me much lower estimated O.G.s. The QBrew numbers have always checked out in practice. I'm wondering why B.S. is low. The...

I'm guessing everyone has days like this. First, I drank some of the dark red I made and for some reason it tasted yeasty and bitter when yesterday it was delicious. Okay, maybe that was me. Then I went for the stout. Instead of the 12 ozers that had been in for a week I went for the 16s...

After searching I found lots of threads related to this question, but not an actual answer to this question. If a particular beer hits a desired flavor, does moving into refrigeration temps help to hold it there? Can refrigeration be thought of as a way to "pause" aging/conditioning (or at...

My Russian stout came out pretty well. When bottling I tried a few things. For the last round of bottles I added lactose which had been boiled and cooled as well as some vanilla extract and unsweetened cocoa powder (boiled in 1 3/4 cup of water and cooled). The earlier bottles do not have...

Brewed and Arrogant Bastard clone and forgot to account for the raise in temp. from fermentation. Just noticed it at 74 degrees and am filling the bathtub with water to cool. Brewed yesterday and started bubbling last night. I see I'm not the only one to have done this with this yeast and...

Hi all, I made a starter for WLP 07 on Friday evening. Planning to use it later this afternoon. Should I try not to include the stuff that's settled out at the bottom and only pour the liquid? Or should I mix it and poor it all in? I planned to brew yesterday but was delayed so it's gone...

I'm running into some time crunch and am wondering if I could steep my specialty grains tonight and leave the results covered on the stove then add DME and finish brewing tomorrow. I can't think of any reason not to, but you never know. Thanks.

I'm working at better developing my understanding of the subtleties of beer flavor. I recently had a Stone IPA and found it ... thinner?...than I anticipated. Would this be a lack of mouthfeel? It seemed crisp and almost light to me. In comparison, I've had some big DIPA's that seem richer...

Several of the people I share a beer with enjoy things that are lower on the ABV - like in the 5% range. If I wanted to take a recipe for something like an Arrogant Bastard clone but wanted a lower abv, is it simply a matter of scaling back the DME and then the hops accordingly? I realize it...

Whenever I take a gravity reading through the spout on my bucket, I always wonder if there is the possibility that what's at the bottom of the bucket might have a different gravity than what's at the middle or top. So with regular ale yeast, does anyone know the dynamics of fermentation? Do...