Screwdriver Ale

jgaepi · Oct 4, 2009

I have officially named my first batch of brew - Screwdriver Ale. If the batch actually comes out and is drinkable, I will name my future personal brew company - Screwdriver Brewing Company.

Why you ask? Cause I dumped a screwdriver in my boiling pot when the wort was cooling down, approx. at 140 degrees. I went to put my wort chiller in and just before turning on the water, I realized that I forgot to put the clamps on the tubing. So I slid the clamps on and without even realizing, I started tightening the screws and the stupid screwdriver fell in. I was flawless in sanitizing everything. My hands are cracking from all the sterilizing and washing. But then the stupid screwdriver.

Everything else went as planned. Any one convinced everything will turn out all right? Any one convinced it will be a total disaster?

Also, I have my batch in the plastic fermenting bucket. But it is a white bucket and won't be able to see bubbling. Any way else to tell that things are fermenting?

Thanks.

iXanadu · Oct 4, 2009

What kind of screw-driver was it?

A phillips head adds more bittering than a flat head.

Stainless steel adds more gravity (ABV) than chrome plated.

A "Made in USA" is sweeter than "Made in China"

A "Craftsman" makes a beer that is 100% guaranteed.

All kidding aside - I wouldn't worry about the beer. It doesn't sound like you ran water into the partially assembled chiller and pumped a gallon of well water into your wort.

Don't worry about bubbling, I have some batches that take off in 4-6 hours, and some in 3 days and I always use big starters. If you are in a big hurry to taste this one, wait 7-10 days and take a gravity reading. Then take a reading ever 3 days, when you get the same reading back-to-back your ready.

triggerman72 · Oct 5, 2009

Add screwdrivers to the list of things not to keep handy when brewing. Toothpaste is also on that list (I'm not kidding).

See the thing is guys, when you drop stuff into your wort and ask this board if it will affect the beer, the only person who can answer that question is you. You're the one blazing the trail here. You are the one bravely going where no brewer has gone before. The important part is following up with the outcome of your "research".

Yooper · Oct 5, 2009

Oh, thank goodness it was a tool! I thought "screwdriver ale" meant you added orange juice and vodka and were going to ask, "Did I ruin my beer?"!

As long as it was just a screwdriver, and not orange juice, I think it'll be ok.

Bluelinebrewer · Oct 5, 2009

Don't know about a screwdriver, but I can tell you that a pair of pliers will not have any ill effect on your beer.... don't ask how I know.... just trust me.

Tripod · Oct 5, 2009

YooperBrew said:
Oh, thank goodness it was a tool! I thought "screwdriver ale" meant you added orange juice and vodka and were going to ask, "Did I ruin my beer?"!

I thought the same thing! I was wondering why he would do that? Maybe drinking a little too much and spilled the "screwdriver"?

-Tripod

ChshreCat · Oct 5, 2009

hehe I was opening the thread expecting vodka and OJ beer too!

cellardoor · Oct 5, 2009

I can personally attest that a 'friend' of mine had a screwdriver drop into his cooling wort with no ill effect. Now that 'friend' double checks the IC clamps before he puts it in the boil kettle.