Any brewers In the Suffolk area of England?

[cpl-america]

I hope they are open tomorrow, as it is a bank holiday.

 

[cpl-america]

About to start brew day.

 

[boomer135]

Soo I just saw your post about brew day... I got on here and refreshed earlier but didn't see it until now. Oh well next time perhaps.

 

[cpl-america]

It turns out I didn't have enough time any how, so I just made a cider. I am going to try later this week.

 

[boomer135]

I bottled the "honey bee ale" today... It's a Midwest supplies extract kit. Anywho, there was a bee in the fermenter. It's bottled now and my plan is to drink it anyway unless anyone can think of a reason I shouldn't.

On a side note, it finished WAY low. Went from 1.038 to 1.002ish... Maybe my hydrometer is out of whack? It didn't taste super dry. Any thoughts? The yeast is US 05 and the temps were a little high 77 for the first day, then 75 for the next 12 days in the FV. I made sure to check the temp correction for the hydrometer.

 

[cpl-america]

1.038 seems like a pretty low og to me, or maybe i'm just used to brewing big beers, but 1.002 sounds pretty dry, like wine dry. but who knows it might be delicious, never toss an unfinished beer. if you want to check if your hydrometer is out of wack, fill your test tube with just plain water, your hydrometer should read 1.0000 if it does, then you are gold.

as for the bee, if he didn't cause an infection, then it shouldn't be a problem. Do you use airlocks?
I am going to do my brew sometime this weekend, shoot me a text if you are up for it.

 

[boomer135]

I've been doing some reading on high attenuation and low FG, I think I may have over pitched. See, I've had this US 05 in the fridge for quite some time and I was worried about its health. So I did my first yeast starter and just eyeballed the amounts of DME and water. I eyeballed them so well I'm not sure how much I used. I think it was a cup of light DME with a few cups of water.

I think the beer did taste a little dry, but I think it'll be drinkable.

I may not be able to come by this weekend, but don't wait up for me, they'll be other chances for me to watch. But let me know when you brew and Ill see if I can leave for a few hours.

 

[cpl-america]

No problem, just want me to post it here?

 

[boomer135]

Sent ya a text.

 

[cpl-america]

Finally brewing that ipa

 

[Rendomike]

Greetings,
Just found this section of the forums. I'm an American home brewer living between Cambridge and Peterborough. Both my co-worker and I have been brewing since end-2012. Both mostly AG. I just got my kegs up and running.

 

[cpl-america]

Greetings,
Just found this section of the forums. I'm an American home brewer living between Cambridge and Peterborough. Both my co-worker and I have been brewing since end-2012. Both mostly AG. I just got my kegs up and running.
http://s281.photobucket.com/user/renneker1/media/WP_000012.jpg.html

Good deal. Let me know if you want to do a brew day. I'm planning another Irish red soon, and then something for Christmas.

 

[boomer135]

The more the merrier! It's great that there are people close by that share the addiction! So I had the first taste of the honey (bee) ale tonight. Turned out great. I thought it maybe a little dry, but I really can't tell a difference. So, I'll chalk it up to operator error on the hydrometer reading. Not sure how I could've done that though. I was soooo careful! Anyway, I'm considering brewing on Saturday, probably start around 1100. Anyone is welcome to join. I'm no expert, but would welcome the company and a critical eye on my latest brew. (If you dare... There WAS a bee in it during fermentation after all)

 

[Rendomike]

Cool, unfortunately we work a shift schedule and will be working all weekend. He (Mike) brewed a coconut porter yesterday. I (also Mike) planned to do a fresh hop harvest ale with my cascades yesterday, but with finding a place to fill my propane tanks and bottling a pumpkin ale there was no time. I had important things to do last night like drinking beer (Brandy-Barrel Hunahpu!).

Do you all belong to any home brew club? I've been looking for one, but it appears any craft beer type club is in London.

 

[cpl-america]

Sorry boomer, missed your post. We should plan in advance. I'm bad about last minute decisions as well.

 

[cpl-america]

Cool, unfortunately we work a shift schedule and will be working all weekend. He (Mike) brewed a coconut porter yesterday. I (also Mike) planned to do a fresh hop harvest ale with my cascades yesterday, but with finding a place to fill my propane tanks and bottling a pumpkin ale there was no time. I had important things to do last night like drinking beer (Brandy-Barrel Hunahpu!).

Do you all belong to any home brew club? I've been looking for one, but it appears any craft beer type club is in London.

I couldn't find a brew club. But I'm sure we can start One.

 

[boomer135]

It's no big deal. I didn't end up brewing today anyhow. I was debating on whether or not I should... I have a pumpkin ale in my only primary right now. It's ready to bottle or keg, but I'm basically out of bottles, and can't keg yet because I'm still waiting for the CO2 coupler nut to get here. I don't regularly use a secondary, but I have one if I need to free up the primary. The short version: I got lazy. I might do it next weekend.

 

[cpl-america]

It's no big deal. I didn't end up brewing today anyhow. I was debating on whether or not I should... I have a pumpkin ale in my only primary right now. It's ready to bottle or keg, but I'm basically out of bottles, and can't keg yet because I'm still waiting for the CO2 coupler nut to get here. I don't regularly use a secondary, but I have one if I need to free up the primary. The short version: I got lazy. I might do it next weekend.

I have plenty of bottles. How much? My wife made me throw bottles away yesterday. But I have like twenty empties.

 

[Rendomike]

I have plenty of bottles. How much? My wife made me throw bottles away yesterday. But I have like twenty empties.

I have hundreds of bottles also if you need some, but I'm a bit far from you. I may be taking a Taco Bell trip this week out that ways and could always bring some.

cpl, I like the idea of starting a brew club. I've attempted here, but although we have quite a few home brewers around, it just never happened. There really are people who look at this hobby as just a way to save money. Crazy!

 

[cpl-america]

I have hundreds of bottles also if you need some, but I'm a bit far from you. I may be taking a Taco Bell trip this week out that ways and could always bring some.

cpl, I like the idea of starting a brew club. I've attempted here, but although we have quite a few home brewers around, it just never happened. There really are people who look at this hobby as just a way to save money. Crazy!

it's more like a lifestyle. that's like making your own pasta because it's cheaper, it's already inexpensive. you make your own because it tastes better, and because you love doing it.

sure brewing is cheaper than drinking store bought. at least until, you start buying more equipment. $$$$$$$$$$$$

i'm in for the club. but i can't see too many meetings. maybe one a month. i've got a seven month old. and everyone seems to have a different schedule. anyone else in?

 

[boomer135]

Don't worry about the bottles, fellas. I appreciate the gesture though. I'm still holding out on the current batch to keg it, but I'm still waiting to receive the regulator nut in the mail. The online welding supply place that I ordered it from had them on back order apparently. So it should be here next week, then I can just keg the beer instead. I was just trying to avoid moving the beer to a secondary.

As far as the club goes, I'm for sure in! I'll be away for some training in November, but other than that, my schedule is clear!

Why do I brew my own? Not because its cheap, in my experience, it's way more expensive (up front) than just buying from the store. Especially after I bought all this kegging stuff the last month or so... I brew because I needed a hobby, and I like the feeling of accomplishment I get when I consume one of my delicious homebrews! Plus I like to drink beer, so homebrewing them was a no-brainer.

 

[cpl-america]

Suffolk Brewing

There, Official. now there is a brewers club for our area, feel free to join, we just need to set up a meeting day. open to any input, just rushed through the setup, and didn't think much about the name or anything.

-cheers

 

[Rendomike]

Cool, signed up. Told my co-worker about it also. I suggest a Saturday or Sunday which probably works better for most people. Currently work weekends, but will have the last weekend of this month and first weekend of next month mostly free.

 

[cpl-america]

my house isn't large enough for any large sort of meeting. any volunteers?

and i do work weekends, but i can adjust. As a civilian, i can only plan a week ahead on whether it's morning, or evening. but we can shoot for a week end though. let me know guys.

 

[boomer135]

I'm sure I could be convinced to hold a gathering at my house once a month! Not sure my place is bigger than anyone else's though....

 

[cpl-america]

It is more the baby toys and too much stuff crammed in One place that is restricting. A Friday night would be best for me.

 

[Rendomike]

Once a month sounds great, but it's tough to say what works for us. We work 4 days every 4 days alternating between nights and days. I'm just as willing to host also. For the next couple weeks, we have off weekends.

We've both been brewing fools lately after not brewing for a while. My keg system took roughly three months to get and I pretty much didn't want to bottle anymore.

 

[boomer135]

Quiet around the thread lately... I'm sure we've all been busy with real life and such.

Anyway, I'm reporting back on the CO2 nut from the UK company weldability Sif (not a typo). I finally got it in the mail today. They even sent me a hat. I was so excited that I put it right on the regulator and it fit perfectly. Once it was all said and done, it did take quit a bit of time to finally get It here, but it was on back order. Including shipping, the cost was about $15. I'm still not sure as to the availability of a part like this at a local welding shop, because I never looked. Although after waiting about 2 months for this one, I probably should've tried to source the part locally first.

Soooo, all this happens 3 weeks before I head out to Ramstein for a 6 wk TDY. I won't even be able to enjoy my keg beer for long. Nonetheless, I'm excited to finally have the ability to keg my beer. How's everyone else doing lately?

 

[cpl-america]

just emptied a keg myself, so monday is brewday if you are interested.

most of the keg might be gone before ramstein. lol. and if it isn't i'm sure it will taste all the better when you get back.

as for monday, i'm finally getting with the program and making a pumpkin ale.

have fun in ramstein... last time i was in germany, it was the hospital. don't fall too much for their beer, only to come home to fruity english ales.

 

[jimhenning]

Oh man, I wish I would've known you needed items before I left. They've got some grains and things there at BB and I could've picked the up for you. He charged me £45 (£10 deposit) for the full tank. The tank is nice and big, maybe double or triple the size of my US CO2 tank... I have a feeling it'll last a while...

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Hey guys, sorry been super busy and not around to brew, but i just ordered all the stuff i need to build a new kegerator and I got a CO2 cannister shipping in from the states from Midwest brewers...I need to find where to get it filled...any ideas? Oh and I may have time one weekend before december to brew but i'm deploying again.