DC Area Group Buy #8

[joshindc]

Off topic: Anyone here brew with Rockville City water? I can't for the life of me find a water report that has anything besides toxin content. I emailed the address on the city website for the water superintendent and it bounced...

I'm eager to get in on this group buy, but May's all booked up. Definitely looking forward to #9 as well.

Thanks!

 

[peter78]

Off topic: Anyone here brew with Rockville City water? I can't for the life of me find a water report that has anything besides toxin content. I emailed the address on the city website for the water superintendent and it bounced...



I'm eager to get in on this group buy, but May's all booked up. Definitely looking forward to #9 as well.



Thanks!

You can always try ward labs for your water:
https://producers.wardlab.com/BrewersKitOrder.aspx




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[IslandLizard]

You can always try ward labs for your water:
https://producers.wardlab.com/BrewersKitOrder.aspx

I wonder if you send your own labeled bottle, you can still get this test done (May 2013):

W-5A Brewers Test .................................................................................$27.25
Sodium Nitrate Total Hardness (Lime)
Calcium Carbonate Total Alkalinity
Magnesium Bicarbonate Iron
Potassium Sulfate Phosphorus
Chloride Electrical Conductivity
pH Est. Total Dissolved Solids

Instead of getting the Ward test, I called the water authority in my county (Anne Arundel) and was directed to "Water Operations" and spoke with a very knowledgeable gentleman in charge of "water quality issues."

From him I got all the data I was looking for (Bru'n water spreadsheet) and the nitty gritty on where my tap water is actually sourced from. Plus he guarantee no chloramines are being used, and none of the county's water comes from open reservoirs (like Baltimore City/County), only deep local wells.

It could still leave a few question marks as to any change of water composition by the time it gets to my faucets, such as where iron or lead pipes are used. I don't think that's an issue here, the water is soft and tastes fine, except for chlorine, and it's worse during the summer. So Campden tablets take easy care of that.

The water companies don't have to report the mineral composition beyond what is federally required (EPA), but they have the analysis data, and I'm sure they test it more than once a year.

 

[sweetcell]

Off topic: Anyone here brew with Rockville City water?

yes, in fact i've only ever brewed with R'ville city water

detailed water report: http://www.wsscwater.com/home/jsp/misc/genericTapWaterAnalysisReports.faces

we're on the potomac, not patuxent, plant so see second half of the report.

you're welcome

 

[reddskinnfan]

I wonder if you send your own labeled bottle, you can still get this test done (May 2013):

W-5A Brewers Test .................................................................................$27.25
Sodium Nitrate Total Hardness (Lime)
Calcium Carbonate Total Alkalinity
Magnesium Bicarbonate Iron
Potassium Sulfate Phosphorus
Chloride Electrical Conductivity
pH Est. Total Dissolved Solids

Instead of getting the Ward test, I called the water authority in my county (Anne Arundel) and was directed to "Water Operations" and spoke with a very knowledgeable gentleman in charge of "water quality issues."

From him I got all the data I was looking for (Bru'n water spreadsheet) and the nitty gritty on where my tap water is actually sourced from. Plus he guarantee no chloramines are being used, and none of the county's water comes from open reservoirs (like Baltimore City/County), only deep local wells.

It could still leave a few question marks as to any change of water composition by the time it gets to my faucets, such as where iron or lead pipes are used. I don't think that's an issue here, the water is soft and tastes fine, except for chlorine, and it's worse during the summer. So Campden tablets take easy care of that.

The water companies don't have to report the mineral composition beyond what is federally required (EPA), but they have the analysis data, and I'm sure they test it more than once a year.

Yes, you can!

 

[joshindc]

yes, in fact i've only ever brewed with R'ville city water

detailed water report: http://www.wsscwater.com/home/jsp/misc/genericTapWaterAnalysisReports.faces

we're on the potomac, not patuxent, plant so see second half of the report.

you're welcome

Unfortunately (at least for finding out about the water online) I'm in the part of Rockville that isn't serviced by the WSSC.

Or were you implying that since all of Rockville is watered from the Potomac that it'd be the same? I'm wondering how valid that is. I'm pretty sure the mains are all connected, so maybe?

If no one has the info I'll call the city and pay to get it tested if that fails.

Thanks for the link though!

 

[reddskinnfan]

Both my beer (IPA) and my wife's (Blonde) have been officially dropped off for BBM!

 

[sweetcell]

Unfortunately (at least for finding out about the water online) I'm in the part of Rockville that isn't serviced by the WSSC.

well, crap. there i was, thinking that i had swooped in and saved the day. thanks for dashing my superhero delusions.

who does provide your water? whereabouts are you in R'ville?

Or were you implying that since all of Rockville is watered from the Potomac that it'd be the same? I'm wondering how valid that is. I'm pretty sure the mains are all connected, so maybe?

i wouldn't assume it's the same... so maybe those numbers are better than nothing, but i'd continue trying to get your specific water report.

 

[robfar]

The Ward Labs Household Minerals Test W-6 gives you everything you need for $10 less than W-5A. That other test might be of use to pro brewers, giving far more than you need for BrunWater

 

[shoshin]

Hey all, also off topic (sorry about that) but Brian and Jill at Nepenthe Homebrew Shop in Baltimore experienced severe flood damage two nights ago. The scheduled Big Brew this weekend has been pre-empted by a cleanup effort. If you are in or near the Baltimore area, you may know that Brian and Jill are friendly, helpful, and generally great people. If you live in Bmore an are free, stop by this Saturday to give them a hand!


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[shoshin]

Also off topic, but how common is it to have to submit your recipe to a competition? I dropped off my pale ale to the flying barrel last night for BBM. This is my first competition! Seemed odd to also have to provide my recipe.


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[reddskinnfan]

Also off topic, but how common is it to have to submit your recipe to a competition? I dropped off my pale ale to the flying barrel last night for BBM. This is my first competition! Seemed odd to also have to provide my recipe.


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Good luck!

 

[IslandLizard]

The Ward Labs Household Minerals Test W-6 gives you everything you need for $10 less than W-5A. That other test might be of use to pro brewers, giving far more than you need for BrunWater

That's an even better deal! Same test except for fluoride and iron. It was listed as $21, May 2013 (pdf). Unless you're on a private well or have known iron problems testing this ion may not be important. I don't know about the impact of fluoride for brewing.

One more note on tests, like Ward Labs, they only provide a snapsnot. The actual daily water composition may vary depending on the water resources and seasons. So get the water tested that is representative of your typical (brewing) habits. We know they use more Chlorine during the Summer months. The yearly reports by the water company show a minimum and maximum detection level, so chances are you'll be within that range during the year.

 

[shoshin]

Both my beer (IPA) and my wife's (Blonde) have been officially dropped off for BBM!

Nice, good luck!! Don't worry (not that you would worry much, but) you have no competition from me. My beer dried out waay too far, didn't clear, and my hop aroma fell way off (I suspect b/c I didn't make any mineral additions). C'est la vie.

 

[masonsjax]

After seeing the prizes, I'm wishing I had entered. Maybe next year. I should have some sours just about ready at least.

 

[funnycreature]

Good luck!

When's the deadline? Also, can all categories be dropped off at Flying Barrel?

 

[masonsjax]

They must have filled all entries because registration is closed now, a few weeks early.

 

[rwagner23]

Also off topic, but how common is it to have to submit your recipe to a competition? I dropped off my pale ale to the flying barrel last night for BBM. This is my first competition! Seemed odd to also have to provide my recipe.


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Same here. I'm not one to compete, but I'm curious as to comments on the barelywine I did so I entered it.

I didn't realize we could drop off to flying barrel now.

 

[funnycreature]

Same here. I'm not one to compete, but I'm curious as to comments on the barelywine I did so I entered it.

I didn't realize we could drop off to flying barrel now.

It might be dependent on the style. I had to send it to CO while a fellow brewer sent it to FL...

 

[rwagner23]

It might be dependent on the style. I had to send it to CO while a fellow brewer sent it to FL...

Right on. I already sent two bottles to CO also. I think drop off for the local testing is on the 16th on site.

 

[ewrzesinski]

You all are correct - it depends on style. I am judging as part of our FOAM contingent of BJCP judges. We are judging only IPAs, Pale Ales, and Porters here in Frederick. All other beer styles would have to be shipped elsewhere. The judging is next Saturday. Good luck to all who entered.

 

[ewrzesinski]

Correction - we have wheat beers too.

 

[shoshin]

Yeah so again, what's the deal with recipes? Is this a common requirement for a homebrew competition? how do people feel about that?

 

[reddskinnfan]

You all are correct - it depends on style. I am judging as part of our FOAM contingent of BJCP judges. We are judging only IPAs, Pale Ales, and Porters here in Frederick. All other beer styles would have to be shipped elsewhere. The judging is next Saturday. Good luck to all who entered.

Ed, is the BJCP scoring/judging determining the winner or is there a component of the competition that is dependant on the "celebrity" judges.

And thanks for the luck!

 

[stuppy]

Great idea! It's a split now, you're on for 25#.

I guess my iPad hadnt updated google docs, sorry for the mistake



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[stuppy]

Both added.

And it closes the White Wheat split.



That's a lot of hulls!

If you change your mind and decide to split, let us know. We have one of those slated for splits already. It's going to be fun.

I guess my iPad hadnt updated google docs, sorry for the mistake

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[stuppy]

I guess my iPad hadnt updated google docs, sorry for the mistake

 

[novahokie09]

Ed, is the BJCP scoring/judging determining the winner or is there a component of the competition that is dependant on the "celebrity" judges.

And thanks for the luck!

Each category will push forward a winner to the BOS round where live judging will take place on May 18th. The $6k winner is a BJCP formed panel. The $1k prize is a celebrity judging panel.

Here's a link:
http://beerbaconmusic.com/homebrew-competition/

 

[ewrzesinski]

Yes - this is a BJCP sanctioned competition. That being said, there are a lot of unorthodox things going on such as the recipe requirement (not typical), the quantity of bottles required to enter, celebrity judging (separate from the BJCP judging), etc. The guy who is running BBM works for Wantz Distributing out of Hagerstown (and formerly for Flying Dog) He is a bit of an arrogant know-it-all and came up with a bunch of this stuff on his own and then came to FOAM asking how to run a BJCP comp after the fact. There is A LOT of tension up here right now over him stepping on everyone's toes and trying to overshadow Frederick Beer Week, which is non-profit and run by volunteers. Nonetheless, we don't want to see a craft beer/home brew event in our city crash and burn, so we are continuing to help with BBM. Hope that lends some clarity.

 

[rwagner23]

Yes - this is a BJCP sanctioned competition. That being said, there are a lot of unorthodox things going on such as the recipe requirement (not typical), the quantity of bottles required to enter, celebrity judging (separate from the BJCP judging), etc. The guy who is running BBM works for Wantz Distributing out of Hagerstown (and formerly for Flying Dog) He is a bit of an arrogant know-it-all and came up with a bunch of this stuff on his own and then came to FOAM asking how to run a BJCP comp after the fact. There is A LOT of tension up here right now over him stepping on everyone's toes and trying to overshadow Frederick Beer Week, which is non-profit and run by volunteers. Nonetheless, we don't want to see a craft beer/home brew event in our city crash and burn, so we are continuing to help with BBM. Hope that lends some clarity.

Wowzers! Yea I was kind of wondering if there was something to the timing of this event, being so close to the BAM craft beer festival. Also, I wonder if this is why Flying Dog backed out of sponsoring the Strong Ales.

meh. Either way I'm going to both festivals and enjoying some fine ale with my friends and Joan!