What I did for beer today

[Garrett_McT]

Kegged the bulk of my rye Saison and transferred some to a secondary to condition on blueberries as a test batch.

Nice! I love saisons. It was my first summer time light beer that I brewed. And now I have my recipe down to a good repeatable set up. Maybe next time I will incorporate some fruit

 

[seatazzz]

Hose and hardware for the NG conversion arrived! Since I can't split it I ordered another kit to be here on Tuesday, so all I have left to get is a 1/2" to 1/2" male elbow so I can install the quick disconnect on the house side. This way I can still use both burners. Very very carefully drilled out the orifices on the burners, per a lot of research only had to go up to 5/64 drill bit. Won't know if it works until I can get the whole thing set up but I am super stoked. YES I have plenty of yellow gas tape, and a working fire extinguisher.

 

[gbbeer]

Nice! I love saisons. It was my first summer time light beer that I brewed. And now I have my recipe down to a good repeatable set up. Maybe next time I will incorporate some fruit

Saisons of all types are my favorite. It's only been a couple days and the fermenter smells amazing. I'll post some updates once the time comes to get it out of the fermenter. I may start using fruit more often if this turns out well. Give it a go, too!

 

[seatazzz]

I am just sitting here amazeballs at what I can do with a lot of research, help from a stranger at HD, and my own ingenuity. Brewstand is now fully natural gas, or will be once the second hose and adapter gets here tomorrow. Thought I had plenty of yellow gas tape but it went somewhere in the wind when cleaning the garage; had plenty of blue monster tape though. Standing in the plumbing aisle at HD with a handful of brass fittings, stranger comes up and asks what I need; I said I have all the fittings I need I just need to know where the yellow gas tape is in this place. He asked what I was working on, and I fibbed a bit and said converting propane burners to natural gas. He said, Barbecue? I said, Kinda. Same concept but for brewing. He's apparently a contractor and said he only ever uses the blue monster tape, I said I have plenty of that, and he said you're good to go. $55 later with my handful of brass, and home to put it together. Fully tested for leaks with soapy water, connections tight but not too since I know brass can crack if you crank on it too hard. Took ten minutes after I had it together to work up the cojones to actually turn on the gas an give it a go. We have blue flame! Not as high as propane, but if I have to take a little longer with a brewday I do not give a sh*t if I don't have to run to the corner store for propane every couple of weeks. Ran a test with 4 gallons of cold water from the tap, went from 75° to 163° in about 10 minutes so I am one happy brewer tonight. Cannot wait to put it to the real test this weekend!!

 

[bracconiere]

Cannot wait to put it to the real test this weekend!!

me either! looking forward to a report back, then a second one on your gas bill...betting this will save you around $4 a batch or, 90 cents a twelve pack!

 

[seatazzz]

me either! looking forward to a report back, then a second one on your gas bill...betting this will save you around $4 a batch or, 90 cents a twelve pack!

At least that! I figure I go through 1.5 propane tanks a month; at $24 a pop at HD after tax (I hate going to the corner store, if I get there and only one person is working I may have to wait up to 15 minutes before they can come out and exchange the tank), not to mention the time and gas getting there, I'm going to save at least $200/year on fuel alone. And the times I've put off a brewday because I just didn't feel like schlepping empty tanks to get exchanged...who knows what could have happened. Also there's the ultimate satisfaction of upgrading my brewery by myself. OH yes my arms are tired tonight from patting myself on the back!

 

[bracconiere]

OH yes my arms are tired tonight from patting myself on the back!

just be careful, the boogie man doesn't like DIY drugs....take it slow

 

[seanjwalker1]

Ok so today, gathered all the tools to drill my new kettle, last item I needed was the auto punch for the pilot hole. Was stoked! My 1st kettle drill ever! ☺......Not! Wife kept poking her head in the garage, shaking her head, warning me if I mucked it up, it's a waste of a good kettle...great confidence booster.........after several of these barbs launched at my no experience drilling a kettle self...heavy sigh...i crumbled. Yet again I was forced to swallow my brewing pride and call my old HS buddy who works in a machine shop who is gonna do it Saturday for a 6 pk Guinness Blonde. Oh the shame...

 

[beermanpete]

Ok so today, gathered all the tools to drill my new kettle, last item I needed was the auto punch for the pilot hole. Was stoked! My 1st kettle drill ever! ☺......Not! Wife kept poking her head in the garage, shaking her head, warning me if I mucked it up, it's a waste of a good kettle...great confidence booster.........after several of these barbs launched at my no experience drilling a kettle self...heavy sigh...i crumbled. Yet again I was forced to swallow my brewing pride and call my old HS buddy who works in a machine shop who is gonna do it Saturday for a 6 pk Guinness Blonde. Oh the shame...

Have your freind teach you how so you can do the next one on your own. Give him a second 6-pack for the lesson.

 

[seatazzz]

Ok so today, gathered all the tools to drill my new kettle, last item I needed was the auto punch for the pilot hole. Was stoked! My 1st kettle drill ever! ☺......Not! Wife kept poking her head in the garage, shaking her head, warning me if I mucked it up, it's a waste of a good kettle...great confidence booster.........after several of these barbs launched at my no experience drilling a kettle self...heavy sigh...i crumbled. Yet again I was forced to swallow my brewing pride and call my old HS buddy who works in a machine shop who is gonna do it Saturday for a 6 pk Guinness Blonde. Oh the shame...

I felt the same way when I did both my HLT and my BK. Scared to death I was going to mess them up, but take heart my friend; that's why they make plugs. It is really easy to do, and if this old lady can do it so can you! Instead of using a punch for the pilot hole you might want to consider getting a hole saw, that has the punch integral to it. That's what I used and it worked a treat.

 

[seatazzz]

Up at this crazy hour on a Wednesday because I decided to call out so I can finish my NG build. Nobody here from work so I'm safe. Ran a test last night and while I did have good flame, it just wasn't powerful enough to get my HLT up to strike in less than 30 minutes. I don't mind a bit longer brewday, but it also wouldn't get to a boil no matter how long I waited. So this morning I took it apart again, and increased the hole in the orifice to 7/64. Just started it up again, and THIS time I've got beautiful blue flame just as high as it was with propane, with no "blank" spots on the burner, and the temperature of the water has risen 76° in 15 minutes! Folks, I think we have a winner!

 

[seanjwalker1]

I felt the same way when I did both my HLT and my BK. Scared to death I was going to mess them up, but take heart my friend; that's why they make plugs. It is really easy to do, and if this old lady can do it so can you! Instead of using a punch for the pilot hole you might want to consider getting a hole saw, that has the punch integral to it. That's what I used and it worked a treat.

Im not afraid I was ready and stoked!!! And I already had the plugs picked out and on standby on Ama Almighty Zon if I needed them . But the wife didn't want me to. So I deferred. But I do have an old pot or 2 I can practice on. It's so much easier for my friend to do it with all the shop amenities available to him. Next time heh heh heh

 

[Immocles]

Brewed a Dunkelweizen (yesterday).
Bottled a rye pale ale today. Centennial, Citra, and a dash of Idaho 7 that was leftover from a previous IPA.

 

[Saunassa]

I brewed a Hefeweisen using crystal to bitter and liberty for aroma/flavour. Munich Classic for yeast.

 

[slurms]

Kegging a blonde ale. Cascade and a little northern Brewer. Experiment but hopefully good.

 

[seatazzz]

And the brewstand is...complete. Husband ran to hardware store for me for the oil drain pan I wanted as a heat shield for the mash tun, and a little use of the sawzall and some brute strength got it configured the way I want it (could not completely cut out the flap I made with the sawzall since I don't have a vise, so folded it underneath and used a mallet to pound it flat). Here's the completed view, with the gas lines coiled neatly underneath waiting for this weekend's first brew on natural gas (yes I know my BK on the right is gross on the outside but nice and clean on the inside):

 

[seanjwalker1]

I am just sitting here amazeballs at what I can do with a lot of research, help from a stranger at HD, and my own ingenuity. Brewstand is now fully natural gas, or will be once the second hose and adapter gets here tomorrow. Thought I had plenty of yellow gas tape but it went somewhere in the wind when cleaning the garage; had plenty of blue monster tape though. Standing in the plumbing aisle at HD with a handful of brass fittings, stranger comes up and asks what I need; I said I have all the fittings I need I just need to know where the yellow gas tape is in this place. He asked what I was working on, and I fibbed a bit and said converting propane burners to natural gas. He said, Barbecue? I said, Kinda. Same concept but for brewing. He's apparently a contractor and said he only ever uses the blue monster tape, I said I have plenty of that, and he said you're good to go. $55 later with my handful of brass, and home to put it together. Fully tested for leaks with soapy water, connections tight but not too since I know brass can crack if you crank on it too hard. Took ten minutes after I had it together to work up the cojones to actually turn on the gas an give it a go. We have blue flame! Not as high as propane, but if I have to take a little longer with a brewday I do not give a sh*t if I don't have to run to the corner store for propane every couple of weeks. Ran a test with 4 gallons of cold water from the tap, went from 75° to 163° in about 10 minutes so I am one happy brewer tonight. Cannot wait to put it to the real test this weekend!!

Serious Mad Fermentationalist stuff !!!

 

[jcav]

I brewed a American Dark Lager today. Smooth brew day but so very humid out. Jumped in the pool as soon as I got done cleaning up!

 

[RCope]

(yes I know my BK on the right is gross on the outside but nice and clean on the inside):

In brewing, as in life, it's what's in the inside that counts
Brewed a Bitburger Pils clone this morning, did some hot side LODO stuff. Takes a lot more time...

 

[JAReeves]

Shared out some Perry with the neighbors. Trying to finish a bunch of house projects so I can justify making a batch of something. ANYTHING! My creative desires are waaay to frustrated!

 

[davidabcd]

Bottled an 8.5 month batch of Belgian Triple (12.5% ABV). I used a pack of MJ-41 in 2 cups of water and 1/4 cup sugar and let it ferment until today. I'll add 1/2 cup of priming sugar the usual way for bottling.

 

[seanjwalker1]

Bottled an 8.5 month batch of Belgian Triple (12.5% ABV). I used a pack of MJ-41 in 2 cups of water and 1/4 cup sugar and let it ferment until today. I'll add 1/2 cup of priming sugar the usual way for bottling.

Im not a triple expert but why 8.5 months ? I got a pal who makes Triple Terror and it's 3 weeks ferment 3 weeks lager.

 

[seanjwalker1]

Up until the MegaPots I now use with induction, my HLT was a 5G stockpot from my cheffing days.

What kind of induction unit ? I bought an 1800w about 5 years ago and still have not tried it out, just to heat up the HLT. I use my electric stove top and though with one kettle it's great, , 2 kettles at the same time is alittle hard on the Juice . Bought a turkey burner too but very reluctant to boil outside, our air quality is not the best...always something floating around . I may dig out the Induction and give it a try.

 

[davidabcd]

Im not a triple expert but why 8.5 months ? I got a pal who makes Triple Terror and it's 3 weeks ferment 3 weeks lager.

That's what I normally do too. I tweaked my back and other things came up. I'm interested in how this one will turn out. FG read 1.000. Should have read 1.004. Smelled great. I paid attention to the aroma and it was very nice. I re-yeasted with 2 C of water and 1/4 C sugar and let that turn into a starter-type deal. Then the usual 1/2 C of priming sugar.
Edit: By the way, the super Kroger at Nine and Harper has KBS, Backwood Bastard, Dragon's Milk and a beer called Bourbon Barrel Quad by Boulevard (12% ABV). I'm in a little bit of heaven going to Kroger now.

 

[seanjwalker1]

That's what I normally do too. I tweaked my back and other things came up. I'm interested in how this one will turn out. FG read 1.000. Should have read 1.004. Smelled great. I paid attention to the aroma and it was very nice. I re-yeasted with 2 C of water and 1/4 C sugar and let that turn into a starter-type deal. Then the usual 1/2 C of priming sugar.
Edit: By the way, the super Kroger at Nine and Harper has KBS, Backwood Bastard, Dragon's Milk and a beer called Bourbon Barrel Quad by Boulevard (12% ABV). I'm in a little bit of heaven going to Kroger now.

Wow I have not been down to 9 mile and Harper in a few years. I mainly do all my shopping in Rochester Hills, Troy sometimes Royal Oak, everything 16 mile and North and East and far East of Woodward. Sounds like that Kroger is much better than the beers in all my local Krogers. Would love to taste that Boulevard Quad. One of my daughter's graduated U of Kansas and I got a chance to visit Boulevard brewery. Fell in love with their Boulevard Wheat. That was 4 years ago and I still have 2 left !

 

[JAReeves]

What kind of induction unit ? I bought an 1800w about 5 years ago and still have not tried it out, just to heat up the HLT. I use my electric stove top and though with one kettle it's great, , 2 kettles at the same time is alittle hard on the Juice . Bought a turkey burner too but very reluctant to boil outside, our air quality is not the best...always something floating around . I may dig out the Induction and give it a try.

I use a 3500W for the boil and an 1800W for the HLT. It takes about 1 1/2 hrs to heat up 8 Gallons for mash, but only about 15 minutes to bring 7 gallons up to a boil from mash temp. I only had the one 220 outlet, but I may upgrade later on.

 

[seanjwalker1]

I use a 3500W for the boil and an 1800W for the HLT. It takes about 1 1/2 hrs to heat up 8 Gallons for mash, but only about 15 minutes to bring 7 gallons up to a boil from mash temp. I only had the one 220 outlet, but I may upgrade later on.

Wow 1800w takes 1.5 hours to reach sparge temp ? I thought maybe 45-60 min. Guess I better invest in a stronger Induction unit.

 

[DBhomebrew]

Bottled a best bitter. Harvested two 1/2 pints of 4th generation Pub.

Rather clear after three weeks in the fermenter.

 

[seanjwalker1]

That's what I normally do too. I tweaked my back and other things came up. I'm interested in how this one will turn out. FG read 1.000. Should have read 1.004. Smelled great. I paid attention to the aroma and it was very nice. I re-yeasted with 2 C of water and 1/4 C sugar and let that turn into a starter-type deal. Then the usual 1/2 C of priming sugar.
Edit: By the way, the super Kroger at Nine and Harper has KBS, Backwood Bastard, Dragon's Milk and a beer called Bourbon Barrel Quad by Boulevard (12% ABV). I'm in a little bit of heaven going to Kroger now.

Man we were running for cover last night from the tornado passing near by. I've been all over the world, endured training in every kind of weather but last night was the loudest thunder and lightning I've ever experienced. Did you guys get the same where you are?

 

[davidabcd]

Did you guys get the same where you are?

I was tracking that storm and it looked like we were going to get walloped but it was no more than a moderate to below-moderate storm. We live in the NE corner of the city and it's odd that really bad weather, deep snow, etc. skirts north or south very often.
We were actually prepared to take our pets and ourselves to the basement under the stairs but we got lucky.