PicoBrew Pico users

[VagueSkunk]

Hmm undrinkable? Something is going on. Fermentation time? I'm using a tilt to verify fermentation is complete, using the fast fermentation adapter at 74'. The quickest batch to complete was party porter, the smallest ABV of the 5 batches I've used tilt, took 7 days. The longest was Plinius at 11 days. The others were around 8-9 days. I always give them another day or two after fermentation is complete to start a 2-3 day cold crash. If your fermenting standard at cooler temps I can see that taking a couple more days than my warmer fermentation. Other than that I can only think of infection, which is pretty rare, or you just really don't like the fruity esters US-05 produces.

Good luck I hope you can figure it out, I know you can. On the Facebook group it's pretty much all happy now with the modified procedures.

I've always used standard fermentation, and all my batches but one have fermented for at least 14 days.
I have a chest freezer/inkbird/heating mat combo so I can control fermentation temps.
I'm thinking that I may try a different yeast next time, just for ****s and giggles. I dont mind spending a few bucks if I can identify the source of the problem, though I dont really suspect the yeast as being the cause since my extract batch using US05 came out fine.

 

[Anyhowe]

The machine does a great job of producing wort, but there are still plenty of ways to screw things up.

Idk. Put it on the counter to ferment for a week. Cold crash and rack. I guess if you got creative anything is possible.

 

[jrb03]

http://www.brewpost.com

New site from Picobrew, looks like where we will see announcements etc. there is an interesting article from Annie on fermentation.

 

[Ewelady]

http://www.brewpost.com

New site from Picobrew, looks like where we will see announcements etc. there is an interesting article from Annie on fermentation.

how did you find that out? I've been following their Facebook pages the best I can and I've not seen a thing about that site! Interesting brew belt...

and they certainly know my email address because I've contacted them enough times.

 

[jrb03]

how did you find that out? I've been following their Facebook pages the best I can and I've not seen a thing about that site! Interesting brew belt...

and they certainly know my email address because I've contacted them enough times.

It was posted on their official Facebook page yesterday. They don't tend to send many emails for whatever reason.

 

[bobbob911]

Alright!! Now I'm in business. Just tapped the Kermode after 2 days of dry hopping in serving keg at fridge temp, and it's great - already much more hop nose and character than any other batch so far.

I think in another 2-3 days it'll be perfect.

I am still tasting a hint of the same yeast flavor ( surprising because I used the liquid yeast for this one) but it's completely inoffensive and to be honest I probably wouldn't notice if I hadn't drank so many batches with the flavor more prominent.

Very excited to see how the Pliny turns out next!

 

[DrGMG]

Alright!! Now I'm in business. Just tapped the Kermode after 2 days of dry hopping in serving keg at fridge temp, and it's great - already much more hop nose and character than any other batch so far.

I think in another 2-3 days it'll be perfect.

I am still tasting a hint of the same yeast flavor ( surprising because I used the liquid yeast for this one) but it's completely inoffensive and to be honest I probably wouldn't notice if I hadn't drank so many batches with the flavor more prominent.

Very excited to see how the Pliny turns out next!

How much yeast did you add? What yeast?

 

[bobbob911]

Half a vial of the WLP001. I'm not entirely convinced that the liquid yeast is a game changer over the US05, although it's probably incrementally better.

My next two batches I'll switch back to the dry yeast and retest.

 

[jrb03]

Alright!! Now I'm in business. Just tapped the Kermode after 2 days of dry hopping in serving keg at fridge temp, and it's great - already much more hop nose and character than any other batch so far.

I think in another 2-3 days it'll be perfect.

I am still tasting a hint of the same yeast flavor ( surprising because I used the liquid yeast for this one) but it's completely inoffensive and to be honest I probably wouldn't notice if I hadn't drank so many batches with the flavor more prominent.

Very excited to see how the Pliny turns out next!

Great! There is a definite difference in liquid and dry yeast, but it's not like you can't make a good batch with dry. I have always dry hopped in the serving keg, it's the way to go imho. Did your kermode come with the new hop pouch material?

 

[bobbob911]

Yes, new filter pouches. I'll report back in a couple days but I'm pretty happy already with the hop nose.

 

[jrb03]

That's great news. I have my first batch with the new pouches going and i expect them to be a great improvement.

 

[VagueSkunk]

How would one know if they had a pack with the new hop pouches? Is there an obvious difference between the old and new?

 

[jrb03]

Those of you who use the included regulator and co2 cartridges, do you get a quick burst of pressure release when screwing in a new co2 cartridge? I've only used it twice and have had a "leak" both times. The second time I made sure the regulator was in off position before screwing in cartridge, but still had a release. I'm surprised if this is normal.

 

[Denny]

Those of you who use the included regulator and co2 cartridges, do you get a quick burst of pressure release when screwing in a new co2 cartridge? I've only used it twice and have had a "leak" both times. The second time I made sure the regulator was in off position before screwing in cartridge, but still had a release. I'm surprised if this is normal.

It's normal. Screw it on fast.

 

[jrb03]

Ok thanks. Faster next time it is.

 

[jrb03]

How would one know if they had a pack with the new hop pouches? Is there an obvious difference between the old and new?

Yes, obvious difference. The new ones are much lighter and thinner material, can see the hops through the pouch. And they have perforations.

 

[bobbob911]

All picopaks for at least the past month have had the new hop filter paper. Unless your sitting on a stockpile of paks you probably have the new by now.

 

[jrb03]

A lot of us are sitting on a stock of packs. Between the 10 from kickstarter and the 6 or 8 from Christmas sale I'm just about through them, 3 old ones left. I purchased a half squeezed on Amazon to try the new paper though.

 

[Lbarouf]

Yes, obvious difference. The new ones are much lighter and thinner material, can see the hops through the pouch. And they have perforations.

Old/New comparison pictures would be great.

 

[Lbarouf]

A lot of us are sitting on a stock of packs. Between the 10 from kickstarter and the 6 or 8 from Christmas sale I'm just about through them, 3 old ones left. I purchased a half squeezed on Amazon to try the new paper though.

I'd try more packs if they had more sales like that on during Christmas. I'm sure they'd sell a lot more.
Perhaps, even to help discover new packs, give some for free with the purchase of some other ones. @ 200%+ profit on their own packs....

Anyhow, we can keep dreaming.

 

[hopsaurus]

Anyone getting drastically low (.8 gallons) out of their keg after transfer? It has happened to me the last two brews. Kill a 'lil keg in one night (can do that anyway, with a bit of extra effort

 

[jrb03]

Anyone getting drastically low (.8 gallons) out of their keg after transfer? It has happened to me the last two brews. Kill a 'lil keg in one night (can do that anyway, with a bit of extra effort

Not at all. Where is the rest going?

 

[petelaw]

Got my Pico today , very happy and excited!
Looked at the serial number, it may be produced in January 2017.

 

[jrb03]

Got my Pico today , very happy and excited!
Looked at the serial number, it may be produced in January 2017.

Welcome! Couple beginners tips, only pitch 1 tsp of yeast, no more. And ferment twice as long as the instructions tell you to. Good luck with your first brew!

 

[Ewelady]

Anyone getting drastically low (.8 gallons) out of their keg after transfer? It has happened to me the last two brews. Kill a 'lil keg in one night (can do that anyway, with a bit of extra effort

put a scale under that keg when you put it in the fridge... Someone is snitching while you aren't looking!!!

 

[bobbob911]

Anyone getting drastically low (.8 gallons) out of their keg after transfer? It has happened to me the last two brews. Kill a 'lil keg in one night (can do that anyway, with a bit of extra effort

When I did the buffalo sweat I adjusted the ABV up by a few notches. It did seem to me that the resulting keg was lighter on liquid. I assumed that the way they get higher ABV is to produce less liquid and I haven't done it again since.

 

[jrb03]

Ah good point. I had assumed they would adjust the mash schedule to move the abv and ibu but adjusting the water is a possible way. I haven't touched that dial yet sounds like a trial is warranted.

 

[Pelikan11]

I'd try more packs if they had more sales like that on during Christmas. I'm sure they'd sell a lot more.
Perhaps, even to help discover new packs, give some for free with the purchase of some other ones. @ 200%+ profit on their own packs....

Anyhow, we can keep dreaming.

I'm starting to see the more common ones pop up on Amazon. I'm hoping that continues because the free and fast shipping with Prime is nice

 

[petelaw]

Welcome! Couple beginners tips, only pitch 1 tsp of yeast, no more. And ferment twice as long as the instructions tell you to. Good luck with your first brew!

thanks!
Question:
how to open brewing keg lid?
first of first rinse is rinse brewing keg (page 28) .

 

[hopsaurus]

put a scale under that keg when you put it in the fridge... Someone is snitching while you aren't looking!!!

darn cats! Seriously, I noticed this during transfer so it's not the neighbors. Seem to recall seeing 3/4" wort left below the pico pack... Still, not enough volume to explain it.

Only thing I can think of is loss during boil-off. Once I forgot the black silicone strip and had some loss, but not the last two times where I experienced this again.
I'm cutting of the transfer when I see bubbles (but no trub).

 

[Denny]

When I did the buffalo sweat I adjusted the ABV up by a few notches. It did seem to me that the resulting keg was lighter on liquid. I assumed that the way they get higher ABV is to produce less liquid and I haven't done it again since.

No, it's by altering the mash schedule.

 

[Denny]

Ah good point. I had assumed they would adjust the mash schedule to move the abv and ibu but adjusting the water is a possible way. I haven't touched that dial yet sounds like a trial is warranted.

No it's the mash schedule. How could they adjust water amount? Not only does it not hit a boil (so they can't boil it off) the boil time is consistent.

 

[Pelikan11]

Finally got around to tapping my Dead Guy. This one was done with a half pack of yeast. Naturally carbonated with DME. It is absolutely fantastic. The natural carb sets up such a nice creamy head. I had forgotten how good natural carb is after force carving for so long. The "weirdness" is barely there in this batch at all. It's very close to the real thing

 

[jrb03]

No it's the mash schedule. How could they adjust water amount? Not only does it not hit a boil (so they can't boil it off) the boil time is consistent.

Like I said I figured it was the mash schedule. I don't know exactly how the Pico works, I have wondered if some of the water reservoir water makes it into the batch. I seem to finish with damn near the 1 gallon 6 cups we start with. Taking the liquid absorbed by the Pico pack and grains into account I have wondered if some water from reservoir was making it in. But haven't cared enough to really pay attention. It works that's all that matters!

 

[jrb03]

Finally got around to tapping my Dead Guy. This one was done with a half pack of yeast. Naturally carbonated with DME. It is absolutely fantastic. The natural carb sets up such a nice creamy head. I had forgotten how good natural carb is after force carving for so long. The "weirdness" is barely there in this batch at all. It's very close to the real thing

Dead guy has been my favorite pack so far, very close to the original and I love dead guy.

 

[Pelikan11]

I'm gonna kill this keg tonight it's so good. I'm brewing Kermode right now. Will do the tsp of yeast in this one. I'm going to go natural carb in the keg from now on though. I'll still disp. With CO2 but this Dead Guy just reminded me of why carb with DME is so damn good. The mouthfeel on this beer is insanely good

 

[Denny]

Like I said I figured it was the mash schedule. I don't know exactly how the Pico works, I have wondered if some of the water reservoir water makes it into the batch. I seem to finish with damn near the 1 gallon 6 cups we start with. Taking the liquid absorbed by the Pico pack and grains into account I have wondered if some water from reservoir was making it in. But haven't cared enough to really pay attention. It works that's all that matters!

I'm 99% sure it doesn't.

 

[bobbob911]

No it's the mash schedule. How could they adjust water amount? Not only does it not hit a boil (so they can't boil it off) the boil time is consistent.

Well then I can't explain what happened - there was obviously less liquid in the keg than when I started. I measure the fill every time using the racking hose.

 

[bobbob911]

By the way, an update on my Kermode batch - my enthusiasm has waned a little. The hop character has not really intensified with the extra days of dry hopping, and the same peachy yeast character I feel is starting to develop. I don't really know if my mind is playing tricks on me though!

On the positive side it's still a very tasty beer - still certainly the best of my efforts so far.

For the Pliny I may use a hop sack, haven't decided yet. Would it be a bad idea to throw the hops in loose?

And for my next 2 IPA batches I think I'm going to try Wyeast 1318 just to mix it up a bit.

 

[jrb03]

Don't throw them in buy a hop sack they are really cheap and reusable. The hops make a mess and could clog your serving spout if you use the serving kegs.