3 FLoyds Zombie Dust attempt. Help/info requested

[jammin]

I brewed 5 gallons of all grain 3 weeks ago today. just took my first gravity and it's sitting at 1.017. Anyone got input on where theirs finished? I hit all my temps and fermented at 68F.

The beer is extremely clear and smells great, perhaps a little sweet though.

Regards,
Brobe

mine finished at about 1.012/1.013 with S-04. I fermed at 62 ambient.

 

[LouisvilleBrews]

This beer is very unique from other IPA's i've had. I'm thinking about making this one of next ones. It's hard to believe it's all Citra, guess I'll have to try it out and see for myself.

 

[whitehause]

If you like IPA's don't hesitate to brew it. It is a bit different, but in a very good way!

 

[MrTheKing]

I brewed 5 gallons of all grain 3 weeks ago today. just took my first gravity and it's sitting at 1.017. Anyone got input on where theirs finished? I hit all my temps and fermented at 68F.

The beer is extremely clear and smells great, perhaps a little sweet though.

Regards,
Brobe

1.012 with a big starter of 1056, 62* the whole way through.

 

[J-Pizzel]

I know the questionable relevance, but Im noobish to homebrewing- I want to brew the extract version of Zombie Dust but am having trouble finding vendors that supply in appropriate quantities. I.E. I want to buy 1 lb of Munich Malt instead of 3 or 4 and deal with left overs and so on, any suggestions for a vendor?

 

[Sippin37]

Austin Homebrew lets you do fractional amounts and so does Brewmasters Warehouse. I'm sure many others do as well. Just Google those if you want to check them out.

 

[J-Pizzel]

Austin Homebrew lets you do fractional amounts and so does Brewmasters Warehouse. I'm sure many others do as well. Just Google those if you want to check them out.

Thnaks!

 

[edroberts]

Holy hops Batman! Brewed this yesterday and with fermentation bubbling away in my basement back closet, the whole basement smells like Citra... and I even cut out 3/4 oz at the 15min addition to drop the IBU down to 47. SWMBO came downstairs this morning and noticed it right away. I'm not a hop-head, so this will be quite the stretch for me. At least it gave me a chance to both do some hop-bursting for the first time as well as finally try brewing with Citra.

 

[eanmcnulty]

Wow! This is probably the best beer I have ever made, and I have made exactly 76 batches. Hoppy goodness. Not too bitter. CITRA!

Note to self: Don't tell everyone you know about your Zombie Dust Clone; they will take it all away from you. Only three bottles left!

 

[mthhurley]

I brewed this up today and hit the numbers dead nuts on. I'm lucky enough to be very near 3F's and can drive over and get Zombie when I need to...Which I will be doing soon to compare.

That said, I've seen a lot of people say it's good...but I've not found someone who has had ZD and how it compares to this. I guess I can comment in 3 weeks or so but hoping to hear some triangle tasting notes.

 

[skeezerpleezer]

I have had both, as have a lot of other posters in this thread. It was closer to last years, some people seem to think ZD is not all Citra anymore, I agree (possibly due to hop Citra shortage?) They don't advertise it as all Citra anymore either and it has a little danky/piney note now that I don't remember when it first came out, but that said it is still very close.

 

[mthhurley]

Thanks Skeezer...I didn't go through all 50-some pages to see any side by sides

 

[skeezerpleezer]

There are a few side by sides. Have you noticed any difference in the real ZD? I was living up there till last August so drank a lot of it until then. Didn't get it again till Dark Lord Day, and thought it had changed slightly.

 

[mthhurley]

It's funny you say this.

I personally did not Notice a difference. But then again, I did not have a ton of it last year because it was such in short supply.

A fellow beer fiend absolutely loved last years. But when I got a case of this years, he said he didn't like it and something had changed.

So I'll bet they did something.

 

[Jamison]

There are a few side by sides. Have you noticed any difference in the real ZD? I was living up there till last August so drank a lot of it until then. Didn't get it again till Dark Lord Day, and thought it had changed slightly.

I just picked up some very fresh Zombie Dust about 10 days ago. I'm not sure how fresh it was the first time I had it, but this new batch didn't seem to have the same sweetness/malty balance as the first one I tried. I love it though. I would say my first batch was darn close to the real thing. 2nd batch, not so much. Still liking it though.This last batch of ZD looks lighter in color than what I remember it to be also. I still have a couple bottles from my 1st batch left. Might have to do a head-to-head-to- head soon.

 

[bluebrew17]

How the heck did you get 65 IBUs for this 6 gallon one? When I enter it into beersmith, it says 108 IBUs. For example .75 oz 12.4% = 26.9 IBUs when i enter it (20 mins). Also 1.25 oz 12.4% @ 15 min = 36.7 IBUs

 

[skeezerpleezer]

Not sure where the difference is. Maybe Rager vs Tinseth?

 

[mthhurley]

2 days and it chewed me down to 1.016. I love S-04.

 

[eanmcnulty]

I like my Zombie clone more than 3FFF. Color is exact. Mine is cloudy; theirs is clear. Mine has slightly more body. I'm amazed at how close it is!
Bold statement - I brewed a better beer than Three Floyds.
Too bad it is mostly gone.

 

[Sippin37]

Well I have to give a big thanks to Skeezer for this recipe, it is fantastic! I'm sure mine turned out a little different than everyone elses because my OG was only 1.057 and my FG was still 1.018, so it came in right at 5.1% ABV. I mashed at 155F but the efficiency wasn't as high as I was expecting. I used the Wyeast 1968, London ESB yeast.

When compared to the real Zombie Dust I'd say mine is just more of a sessionable IPA. It tastes a little too rich to be an American Pale Ale but not quite a full blown IPA. I have to say that it has been quite refreshing during the last 2 days here in Chicago with 90+ degree weather.

 

[droggo]

Just read every post in this thread and immediately ordered the ingredients to brew this. It sounds so delicious and i've never even tried the ZD. Decided on the S-04 yeast because I've never used it before and it sounds like a beast. Can't wait!! Thank you Skeezer!

 

[skeezerpleezer]

You are welcome. I am brewing up another one this weekend. It has been a hit with all my friends that tried it. Even the ones that "don't like hoppy beers".

 

[droggo]

Skeezer - What yeast will you be using with this next one?

Any tips for using the S-04 as far as rehydration goes? Maybe the instructions on the package are clear enough. I've only used wyeast.

Also, I'm planning on doing the extract version of this. What temp should my water be before I throw in the grains and how much water should I use? Is there an easy way to calculate this somewhere online? Lastly, should I rinse the grains afterwards? If so, how much water should I use and at what temp? FYI-I'll be doing a full boil.

Wow, I just asked a lot of questions (newb here). Please answer them only if you have time. Thank you!!

 

[skeezerpleezer]

Skeezer - What yeast will you be using with this next one?

Any tips for using the S-04 as far as rehydration goes? Maybe the instructions on the package are clear enough. I've only used wyeast.

Also, I'm planning on doing the extract version of this. What temp should my water be before I throw in the grains and how much water should I use? Is there an easy way to calculate this somewhere online? Lastly, should I rinse the grains afterwards? If so, how much water should I use and at what temp? FYI-I'll be doing a full boil.

Wow, I just asked a lot of questions (newb here). Please answer them only if you have time. Thank you!!

I will probably just use S-04, since I have a bunch of it on hand. When rehydrating I usually just sanitize a small bowl, put the yeast in with about half a cup of h20 (distiller or boiled), then cover it with a piece of sanitized foil. I do this at the start of boil.

For water temp, I would do 2.5g or so at 150-155 degrees or so for 30 minutes, then rinse with 168-172 degree water. The more you rinse the better, just don't exceed your pre boil volume. I don't think there is a calculation for steeping like there is for mashing.

 

[droggo]

Excellent, thanks. How much better is the all grain compared to the extract? Been debating whether or not I should invest in the equip and learn how to brew for real.

 

[skeezerpleezer]

Excellent, thanks. How much better is the all grain compared to the extract? Been debating whether or not I should invest in the equip and learn how to brew for real.

I have never done the extract, but those who have seem to have enjoyed it.

All grain allows for more flexibility and control (mash temps, grains, etc). If you can already do a full boil, all you really need is a mash tun ($20 cooler, a garbage disposal hose, a cable and a fitting or 2.) I would go for it if i were you. I did 2 extract kits before diving in and making my own all grain recipes so i could learn the basic process.

Oh- and all grain can be much cheaper, especially if you buy base grain in bulk. I can make this recipe for around $25 AG, which is probably cheaper than the extract alone.

 

[droggo]

Sold. With those savings, a mash tun should pay for itself after a single all-grain brew! I spent $60 on the ZD extract ingredients, including shipping. Thanks again.

 

[skeezerpleezer]

I get my 2row for around $28/50 lbs, $32 for Munich. I loaded up on Citra awhile back, so got a cheaper price on them.

 

[droggo]

What's the shelf life for 2row, or grains in general? I assume you crush it right before you brew?

 

[skeezerpleezer]

Yeah, I have a crusher, so do it the night before or day if brewing. You can buy pre crushed, just try to keep it out if the heat and sealed till using