So I was bored....

[Gravelscratcher]

Hey all,
I've been brewing on and off for several years.
I've been in a busy season of life for the last 2-3 years (give or take), so I've not brewed for awhile. Also haven't been on the forum...I was barely on here before.
Anyway, when I stopped, I had a session IPA AG kit that's been stored up since I quit.
I had a little time on my hands, and figured I would dive back in...what the heck.
So I know this whole thing will get crushed, because it was all wrong. The yeast, hops, and grains were all approx. 3 years old (yeast refrigerated, and hops frozen, grains stored in a air tight bag/box in a closet.
Crushed my grains, mashed, brewed, and fermented. Air lock starts churning in less than 5 minutes.
I'll be honest, I didn't spend a lot of time worrying about the fermentation or quality of how it was going to turn out. I'm in the middle of a remodel, and my chest freezer is in storage, so I had to ferment at room temps. Given that the grains and hops are 2+ years old, my expectations weren't too high, and I wasn't going to invest a ton of time into this thing.
So anyway, I fermented primary/secondary for 2 weeks, cold crashed for 24 hours, and I just kegged it.
Guess what...first sample is not too bad. It might turn on me in the fridge, but it was a decent sample. I'll keep you posted, if you're interested, after it carbs and cools off.
I'll post pics in the next post, from my phone.
Anyway, it's good to be back...my next batch will be done properly, but sometimes you just do what you gotta do.
Thanks.

 

[Gravelscratcher]

Photos as promised

 

[Lefou]

LMAO at the "DON'T TOUCH" written on your lid.
I'm assuming you might have curious impulsive humans around. I have nosy felines. They are almost as naughty as small kids but they're illiterate and don't listen as well.

 

[Gravelscratcher]

Ha ha, it didn't pay attention to that when I was taking pics.
Yes, you are correct about the kiddos.
I wrote that on there a few years ago, back when I was brewing more.

 

[Lefou]

My kids are practically adults now.
If I wrote something, it would be like "DON'T DRINK", but I'm using glass carboys, wishing for steel instead.
I anticipate hiding my beer when Number Two hits 21 in about four months.

 

[Gravelscratcher]

Funny. That's what I would have done when I was that age...heck probably in junior high. (Raid my parents kegerator, if they had one).

 

[ncbrewer]

It's really encouraging that the sample was good. Here's hoping the final product will be also.

 

[jschein]

Welcome back, we missed you! Yeah, build a moat around the brew , 20 somethings will eat and drink you broke

 

[Lefou]

Beer has always been in my family. My grandfather would bring whole kegs home for the tapping ... but not for me, it was ginger ale for me then and sometimes, even now.
It was more or less a traditional, social thing with food and recreational drinking to the point of stupidity was discouraged. I push the same message now and oddly enough, the irresponsibility and curiousity isn't that much of a worry.
Cheers, and I hope your next brew has a much better foam stand.

 

[Gravelscratcher]

Well, that dreaded/expected veggie flavor came through. Its drinkable, that's about all I can say.
Oh well, good practice for the next go round.

 

[Gravelscratcher]

I'll plan to get my chest freezer out of storage, and swing by The Grain Cellar and pick up some fresh ingredients for the next batch.

 

[Gravelscratcher]

Beer has always been in my family. My grandfather would bring whole kegs home for the tapping ... but not for me, it was ginger ale for me then and sometimes, even now.
It was more or less a traditional, social thing with food and recreational drinking to the point of stupidity was discouraged. I push the same message now and oddly enough, the irresponsibility and curiousity isn't that much of a worry.
Cheers, and I hope your next brew has a much better foam stand.

Yes, it's been the same in my family...minus the home brew. It was just the stuff you buy at the store, and back yard BBQ's.
I was just kidding, but I did like beer at an early age.

 

[MaxStout]

Welcome back to HBT, and brewing!

 

[Gravelscratcher]

Just a quick update.
The beer came around a bit. Tastes more like a bitter blonde, than a session IPA.
Think I'll name it "angry wife."

Anyway, brewed another round (IPA) with fresh ingredients and a chest freezer/ ink bird to control temps.

Question is: cooled my wort down to 67, and set my freezer for 67. The range is between 65 and 68.
Fermentation is looking a little slow in the air lock, so just wondering if I'm good, or should I warm it up some?
OG 1.050 @ 67degrees.

I'm just shy of 24 hours with low activity in the air lock. Not too concerned, just wondering.

 

[Bklmt2000]

I'd leave the temp control where it is; for some reason, the yeast are taking their time getting down to business, but I'd not mess with things at this point.

 

[Gravelscratcher]

My ink bird is set for ± 1ﾟ(67 degrees). Just wondering if I should bump the setting + 2ﾟon the high temp range...or more?

 

[Bklmt2000]

I wouldn't. You're seeing some activity already, which is good. I'd just leave things alone and let the yeast do their thing.

 

[Lefou]

Foam turned out fine, I see.

 

[Gravelscratcher]

Yeah, the pace is picking up now...thanks for settling me down.

 

[Gravelscratcher]

Only regret I have, is I used 5.2 stabilizer.
Hope it doesn't make it taste like mineral water.
I've read it's not such a great thing to use.

 

[Tbagger]

I can't believe 3 year old yeast worked. Impressive!

And welcome back!

 

[Gravelscratcher]

Thanks.
It wasn't the best of outcomes...dropped some hops into the last 3rd of the keg for grins....worked out ok. Kinda looks like an ugly NEIPA.
Will dump the rest of the keg soon, as I have my new brew finishing up next week.