Hey from Dallas, TX

[Nagorg]

Hello everyone!

I'm new to the forum and to home brewing as well. I just started with Mr. Beer (surprise) in December of 2011. I'll have to say that my last few batches have been pretty good but they have been well beyond the basic booster refill.

I have taken a step up by getting a 5 gallon kettle and my first extract w/specialty grains IPA (Batch # 9 for me) is fermenting right now. I just started a dry hop last night and will be bottling it Easter weekend. I guess it will be a "Hoppy" beer?

Looking forward to progressing through partial mash to all grain and learning from this forum and my own trials.

I just need to get some fermentation temperature control figured out real soon. These Texas summers wont be too friendly to my beer otherwise...

-Nagorg

 

[TXCrash]

Hey at ya from the other side of the Lewisville lake bridge.

 

[Nagorg]

Thanks TXCurtis! Good to know someone from the forum is so close by. I'm looking for a used fridge to help me keep brewing through the sweltering heat. If this year is anything like last, I might look for a freezer instead.. lol

-Nagorg
(South Side of Lewisville Lake)

 

[TXCrash]

You aren't kidding about last years heat.

If worse comes to worse, I have a fridge that you can have. It'll of course need a temp controller - I'm keeping the one that's in it. Its drilled through the side. It struggled a bit last year during the heat in the garage but seemed to keep up alright at ale temps. (Translation: the fridge is far from perfect)

If you don't want it, i'll toss it on craigslist for free and a scrapper will probably take it.

I got a fridge I think will do a lil better but if I hadn't found it I'd be using this one again this year.

 

[Sarge]

Welcome Nagorg.

 

[Pdeezy]

Hey Nagorg, glad to welcome another DFW brewer.

I'm just south of Curtis, and west of Nagorg in Valley Ranch, TX.

I had pretty good luck last summer just keeping my bucket in the coldest corner of the apt with a few frozen jugs and a towel.

There is a great toutorial on partial mashing in the Beginners section. I'm not sure how much research you've done on PM, but if you're already steeping grains you're about half way there. Check it out when you have a few minutes:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/easy-partial-mash-brewing-pics-75231/

Good luck!

BTW, are either of you guys going to the Big Texas Beer Fest? I'll probably be there.

 

[drkaeppel]

Welcome to the Forum! I live just down the road at 407 and I-35.

Last summer was a bear. I managed to keep my beers pretty stable by putting them in a water bath and swapping out ice packs about twice a day. I would love to have a fermentation chamber tho.

 

[Nagorg]

@TXCurtis: Thanks for the offer. I might take you up on that fridge if you still have it in a few weeks. My wife is making me clear space for it in the garage even though there is plenty of space in the living room. If you need to toss it, go ahead. No need to hold it.

Thanks for the Partial Mash link Pdeezy. That looks easy enough and all I need is an extra 5 gallon kettle!

The Texas Beer Fest in Dallas on 04/14 looks like it could be fun. The tickets seem a little spendy. I might have to consider it though. Has anyone ever been? Is it worth the entrance fee?

 

[Pdeezy]

I've never been, but I went to Brew at the Zoo last year. I think it was about the same price. Well worth it IMO. I think if I was at a bar with all of those beers on tap I would spend much more than $35 in 4-5 hours of drinking. Plus a lot of the reps will be there so you can discuss their beer with them. Lots of beer geeks to talk to as well.