South Carolina SC midlands area brewers

[TravelingLight]

Brewvival in Charleston last weekend was, once again, phenomenal. I had a goal of not drinking a single IPA/pale all day and succeeded. Had mostly barrel aged sours, BA stouts, and some funky saisons. Didn't even stand in Westbrook's line because it was absolutely the longest line consistently all day long. I was very impressed with Almanac. Hadn't had their beers before but they had some great mixed fermentations.

 

[Poopsmitherson]

Ok guys, I'm looking for input. I'm working on a new project, and I need to know what you think about your current recipe software of choice. Namely, what is it missing?

What's something you wish your recipe software/website of choice did that it currently doesn't do? What's it missing?

Bonus question: what software do you use and why?

 

[GammaRay4130]

I use beersmith mainly because it was the first program I came across when I first started brewing. As far as what I wish it could do, well one would be to tell me not to drink too many homebrews on saturdays since it makes brewing on sunday morning a pain.

But really the only thing I can think of I would like it to do has to do with water chemistry. I know it will tell you what to put in for additions but it would be nice if you could tell it what you have on hand and it could spit out how much of those to use to get closest to target profile. There actually might be a way to do that I have no idea I typically use brewers friend for salt additions but you have to play with amounts yourself, which is still not hard but if it could somehow be automated it would make life and brewing just that much easier.

 

[TravelingLight]

I use beersmith mainly because it was the first program I came across when I first started brewing. As far as what I wish it could do, well one would be to tell me not to drink too many homebrews on saturdays since it makes brewing on sunday morning a pain.

But really the only thing I can think of I would like it to do has to do with water chemistry. I know it will tell you what to put in for additions but it would be nice if you could tell it what you have on hand and it could spit out how much of those to use to get closest to target profile. There actually might be a way to do that I have no idea I typically use brewers friend for salt additions but you have to play with amounts yourself, which is still not hard but if it could somehow be automated it would make life and brewing just that much easier.

I use the Bru'n Water spreadsheet for my water adjustments. Do you mean something like integrating a spreadsheet like that into a program?

 

[SHAIV]

I've been using brewers friend for recipe design and calculators but I just use the website and it's free there might be some better stuff. My buddy bought the beer smith app and he said it's complicated to use

 

[Morrey]

I use the Bru'n Water spreadsheet for my water adjustments. Do you mean something like integrating a spreadsheet like that into a program?

Yeah, I kinda agree with GammaRay that BS (which I use) is strong in design but weak in water chemistry management. I use BS and Bru'n Water, but this means I feel I am wasting time to put my grain bill in both...redundant.

 

[GammaRay4130]

I use the Bru'n Water spreadsheet for my water adjustments. Do you mean something like integrating a spreadsheet like that into a program?

I've used Bru'n water too, I just find brewers friend to be a little better of an interface for me. Beersmith has water adjustment in it but it's not the best.

 

[SHAIV]

Hey guys I just kegged the quad I brew in January, it smelled pretty good. It's about 9.5% abv

 

[TravelingLight]

Hey guys I just kegged the quad I brew in January, it smelled pretty good. It's about 9.5% abv

Nice! When can I come get a pour?

Brewed my third attempt at an NEIPA this weekend. And I was reminded how much I don't enjoy brewing IPAs. All my hoppy beers have extended whirlpools/hop stands. Usually adds at least an hour to my brew day.

 

[SHAIV]

Ah yes. I love me some IPA. We'll have to get up and swap haha. The "quad" I have isn't as dark or as high gravity as it's supposed to be it also finished kind of dry at 1.005. So hopefully it's good even though it didn't turn out the way it was supposed to be

 

[catdaddy66]

I'm in Columbia between 2 notch and decker. Been brewing for around 3 years, brew a lot of different styles depending on what I feel like making. Currently have a munich dunkel and a pale ale on tap with a kolsh fermenting. DIY homebrew on 2 notch was doing monthly homebrew tastings on the last saturday of the month, not sure if they are still going on or not.

They ARE still having them! I am typing this on Sunday the 26th so I missed this weekend's tasting.

I live in Lugoff, about 15 min from DIY Brewhouse. Great guy running it and so helpful. He has expanded the inventory tremendously.

 

[GammaRay4130]

They ARE still having them! I am typing this on Sunday the 26th so I missed this weekend's tasting.

I live in Lugoff, about 15 min from DIY Brewhouse. Great guy running it and so helpful. He has expanded the inventory tremendously.

Yeah I was at the one last month, actually went yesterday to pick up supplies for my brew this morning without realizing it was the monthly tasting. Oh well theres always next month.

 

[SHAIV]

So I tasted my quad and it tasted kind of like a 9.5% bud light quad lol. So I dropped in an oz of simcoe and an oz of Amarillo. Maybe that'll save it

 

[Toona79]

just popping my head in to say Hi. Live in Eastover area, between Cola and Sumter. Been brewing for almost 7 years now. I've been to DIY, different guy in there than last year? But inventory has improved. I need to swing by this week actually. I'll post a pic of my setup later.

 

[catdaddy66]

just popping my head in to say Hi. Live in Eastover area, between Cola and Sumter. Been brewing for almost 7 years now. I've been to DIY, different guy in there than last year? But inventory has improved. I need to swing by this week actually. I'll post a pic of my setup later.

Yes, JP was the original owner and sold it last summer. Kevin is the new owner and is also the president of the Columbia brewing club. He has done a great job building up the stock and is so helpful with all phases of brewing. He really goes above and beyond!

 

[Toona79]

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1492105902.103401.jpg. Ok that's what happened? Here's my setup just for kicks. I'll talk to Kevin about that brew club. Always needing feedback on brews and how to improve.

 

[SHAIV]

Welcome toona! Nice setup! I guess you're the only one on here with a pump. I think someone else here was gonna try to get some pumps soon and had some questions or wanted to see it in person or something.

Also it looks like you don't have burners, so I guess ur all electric? How do you like that?

 

[Toona79]

Love it, took me a while to get here but just recently added the 2nd pump and a herms coil. Built the control panel 2 years ago, used Kal's instructions on http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/ with a few tweeks for what I wanted. You guys doin all-grain? Would love to get a group buy for some 2-row sacks one day.

 

[SHAIV]

Yeah I think everyone here is does all grain. I sometimes do extract still because it's quicker and I don't get a lot of time to brew these days in fact I just made some apfelwein because its quicker. I dry hop mine then keg it. It's pretty good and I don't have to spend a lot of time on it

 

[Morrey]

I have an appt at Dorn VA in Columbia next Tuesday and wondered if y'all knew of a place that will fill 5# CO2 tanks for me? Only thing we have in Florence is AmeriGas who charges $26.95 for a 5# CO2 tank swap out. My tanks are new plus this seems darn high to me. Thanks!

 

[SHAIV]

During the week you have more options. Theres caraway fire and safety on Augusta rd in west Columbia. Or there's praxair and airgas on bluff rd in Columbia right off i77 probably easier to get to those from the VA

 

[Morrey]

During the week you have more options. Theres caraway fire and safety on Augusta rd in west Columbia. Or there's praxair and airgas on bluff rd in Columbia right off i77 probably easier to get to those from the VA

Any idea if the ones you mentioned on Bluff Rd are fill stations or swap out only?

 

[SHAIV]

I've never been but they are full service gas companies you could call and ask

 

[GammaRay4130]

I've been to airgas on shop road and they have always swapped out tanks. However I never had a new tank so I never cared or asked if they would refill, you'd probably have to call or ask unless someone else knows.

 

[Morrey]

I called Carolina Fire and Safety on Rosewood. They do either fill or swap for $16.50 (5#) plus tax so this is $10 cheaper than AirGas in Florence who swaps only. If they fill my own they need it a couple of hours so they can pre-chill the tank first. Since I'll be at the VA anyway, I get to keep my new tanks.

 

[SHAIV]

Hmm interesting, i bet they aren't open on saturdays though which means they can't earn my business lol

 

[TravelingLight]

Morrey, I've used AirGas and Praxair in Cola. They've always switched out my tanks. Damn thing is, I swear they charge you whatever they feel like that day. I've paid everything from like 19 up to 25. I think it's a racket.

 

[TravelingLight]

Welcome toona! Nice setup! I guess you're the only one on here with a pump. I think someone else here was gonna try to get some pumps soon and had some questions or wanted to see it in person or something.

Also it looks like you don't have burners, so I guess ur all electric? How do you like that?

Twas me! I'm gonna be friends with this guy...

View attachment 396416. Ok that's what happened? Here's my setup just for kicks. I'll talk to Kevin about that brew club. Always needing feedback on brews and how to improve.

Fantastic setup. I've been wanting to incorporate a pump(s) into my system. I'm tired of lifting heavy ass liquor tanks and such. But I still can't wrap my head around some of the nuances of using a pump. I really want to see one in person. We are about to become good friends, buddy!

 

[Morrey]

Hmm interesting, i bet they aren't open on saturdays though which means they can't earn my business lol

Yeah, they mentioned M-F. I will drop off on my way to Dorn so they can have time to chill the tank before filling. Pick it up on my way home. Best deal I found so far.

Morrey, I've used AirGas and Praxair in Cola. They've always switched out my tanks. Damn thing is, I swear they charge you whatever they feel like that day. I've paid everything from like 19 up to 25. I think it's a racket.

Ok honeymoon man! OMG you are back and I hope you weren't wounded in action!!

AirGas in Flo is for sure a ripoff. I think they decide the price based on what color shirt you are wearing that day. At least the Fire Extinguisher place on Rosewood gave me a firm price of 16.50 that I can count on.....at least for this week.

 

[Morrey]

Morrey, I've used AirGas and Praxair in Cola. They've always switched out my tanks. Damn thing is, I swear they charge you whatever they feel like that day. I've paid everything from like 19 up to 25. I think it's a racket.

BTW...thanks for the NEIPA tips. I used my (new to me) Chugger SS pump after adding a whirlpool arm in my kettle last week.

I did the FWH addition as you suggested. No more hops til FO so WP'd 3 oz GMC for 20 min, dropped down to 160F and WP'd 3 more oz GMC for 20 min before chilling on down. Love that pump!

WY1318 is bringing the SG down quickly. I pitched at 1.060 (67F) on Sat afternoon. I am reading 1.026 at lunch on Mon. I am watching closely since I'll add another dosing of GMC hops in the primary during active fermentation. What SG do you suggest I bring it down to before the next addition?