SYRACUSE NY - ROUND 4 Group Grain Buy

[CidahMastah]

By the way, is there any interest in another grain order before the snow flies?

Let me know what you guys are thinking about that and I can set up a do or die round 5. i.e. if we don't close it by a certain date then we scrap it.

If there is anyone who might want to host the buy, let me know. It will be very hard for me to support it unless it were to close and ship prior to September 27 (probably not going to happen). I don't mind doing the organization, but someone would have to accept the pallet of grain at their house.


Also - I wasn't able to find cheap kegs, so I am giving up for now. If anybody turns some up - please keep me in mind!

 

[rustbucket]

i really want 1-2 more kegs too... just so i have about 7 - 8 of them.

 

[gcdowd]

So psyched there is a syracuse group buy. Not quite into all grain yet, but hope to be soon.

 

[CidahMastah]

So psyched there is a syracuse group buy. Not quite into all grain yet, but hope to be soon.

Join the AG crowd! We have lots of converts since the start of the grain buy. Many folks bit the bullet and tried BIAB AG brewing once they saw how great the prices were per lb. Far cheaper than extract!

I have said before that if you are interested and have questions post them. The guys on this thread will do their best to help you out. Lots of new guys, and quite a few experienced brewers alike.

I believe that extract is out of the group buys at this point, but I can double check as we have been able to buy it in the past (if you are interested).

 

[gcdowd]

Thanks! I think I'm going to try getting a few more extract batched under my belt (to improve my technique). Also, still need to buy some all grain equipment (mash tun, larger boil kettle, wort chiller). Once I get those three things (Christmas is coming up), I'll be ready for all grain. I'm definitely interested in joining the grain group buys, and hops too if you all do that as well. Is there a local homebrew club that any of you are in? I'd also love to get some insight from some more experienced brewers. I plan on driving a few hours to Albany in a few weeks to join a buddy who does all grain so I can shadow him on a brew day. Definitely looking forward to that!

 

[gcdowd]

BTW CidahMastah, love the pic of the Big Bone Lick sign. I drove through Kentucky a few years ago, saw the sign, and HAD to snap a pic. Some funny stuff...

 

[CidahMastah]

Just so you are aware, not to rush you into the fray either , you only need a sparge bag and a larger brew pot to brew all grain well. You will probably graduate up from there, but that is a place to start. Search BIAB here and you will see what method I am talking about.

Shadowing a brew day will be a great way to get some perspective. If you are steeping specialty grains with your extract, time wise, AG isn't that much more.

A big key to consistent brew is fermentation temp.

Good luck!

 

[CidahMastah]

Last Grain Buy Before Winter

The new link for the next grain buy is listed below. There were enough people asking to give this a shot. However there are a few caveats to this buy. I will keep track of ordering, but ordering might be delayed/postponed if I am unable to receive and process the order. If someone offers to accept the pallet load at their house or at a business address for distribution the order will not be delayed.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f174/syracuse-ny-round-5-group-grain-buy-266248/#post3221462

 

[gcdowd]

Just so you are aware, not to rush you into the fray either , you only need a sparge bag and a larger brew pot to brew all grain well. You will probably graduate up from there, but that is a place to start. Search BIAB here and you will see what method I am talking about.

Shadowing a brew day will be a great way to get some perspective. If you are steeping specialty grains with your extract, time wise, AG isn't that much more.

A big key to consistent brew is fermentation temp.

Good luck!

Thanks. I have heard about the BIAB method but will probably just go straight to the mash with a tun. I might as well go all our since I am hooked!

 

[CidahMastah]

I did three BIAB batches to demystify AG. Once I saw how easy it was.... I was all about upgrading. Right now I have a blichmann MT and my brew partner and I are upgrading our BK. I have an electric system that rocks. I say, jump in up to your neck!

I would recc a BK and MT no smaller than 15G so you have the ability to brew upt to 10G batches and high gravity barley wines, belgians etc. I am sure your friend will tell you the same.


FYI I believe that DME and LME are available in the group buys. Hops are also for sale, subject to availability. See the new link I posted if you are interested.

 

[brehuh]

Hey was my keg picked up with the grain this time cidah?

 

[CidahMastah]

yeah it was picked up - I assumed that you arranged the rest of the details for pick up on your end

 

[gcdowd]

Anyone here know about the water quality in the Syracuse area? I am in Van Buren and my water comes from Otisco and Ontario lakes. I want to start all grain soon and am wondering if I should be adding anything to the water before I mash. Anyone around here get their water from these lakes?

 

[CidahMastah]

I would just grab a water report from ward laboratories

 

[gcdowd]

Where is that and how much does it cost?

 

[CidahMastah]

it is about $25 I think, but the best way to know what is in your specific water for brewing:

I did the w-5 but I think you could get away with the w-6

http://www.wardlab.com/FeeSchedule/WaterAnalysis.aspx

the results look like this for me:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f36/ne...taste-taste-multiple-hefes-264201/index4.html

see post 39 for my water results (I am on a well).


Also, this thread is sort of dead - you may want to repost on the Syracuse grain buy #5 to see if anyone in your area has done this yet. I would say you are fine to mash unless you can't drink you water without plugging your nose If you have a water softener you would won't to address the chorine, etc., with cambden. Some other guys on here have done that, but I ahven't since I don't have that issue.

My water is clsoest to the dublin style.

 

[gcdowd]

Thanks. I know my water is hard and we have a softener but we have never used it. I'll definitely check it out. Thanks!