Checked on my first kegged batch this morning before work and found an empty co2 tank. Obviously, I missed a leak somewhere. I checked the gas connection and keg opening when I hooked the gas up. I didn't check everything else because it was all checked when I sanitized. Lesson learned: check everything every time, even the connections I didn't mess with.
Checked the gravities on my Cali Common and Breakfast Stout. I could have my first stuck fermentation on the stout. It's chilly in the basement right now so I added a heat belt and gave it a gentle swirl to rouse the yeasties awake. I hope that works.
Cleaned my better bottle in preperation for moving my IPA into secondary tomorrow.
Gathered equipment for bottling my Hefe tomorrow.
Researched brewing a SMaSH for National Homebrew Day.
Compared pots and kegs for my new Brew Kettle.
Drank a homebrew.
Disassembled my old, dying keezer. It hasn't been keeping temps and it was from 1982 so it couldn't be serviced for under $400 because of the R12 freon.
I'm about halfway done with my new keezer. Sadly, it's only 16 cu ft. My old one was 24. The pluses: $100 off CL, 3 years old, and frost free.
Hopefully I'll have some time to work on it tomorrow, but SWMBO is out of town and I have our two year old all to myself. Perhaps nap time...
I purchased a plate chiller off ebay, a used shirron. I am glad I finally did it and will probably use my immersion chiller as a prechiller. Taking 20-30 minutes to get down to temps in summer sucks.
went to lhbs to pick up yeast for the barleywine i'm making next sunday (wanted to step up the starter a few times)
finished attaching bulkhead and thermometer to one of the kettles
will finish sleaning up garage because that's where i'm gonna start brewing
Stepped up my bells starter for the third time (from 800 to 2000 to another 2000 ml) in anticipation of using it in my Amarillo blonde I'm making tomorrow (then gonna use that cake for a two hearted clone).
Taught a beginners brewing class at Maryland Home Brew. We brewed the Brewers Best Australian IPA with Australian Galaxy hops. Really looking forward to tasting this one in a few weeks. Too bad it won't be ready for Big Brew on May 5th, we'll just have to make do with our Pliny the Elder clone.
First batch of apfelwein done. 3 gallons in jugs (still), 2 gallons in bottles carbed. I'm a little mad at myself for not starting another batch as this stuff isn't gonna last long once its ready.
bottled and kegged six gallons of an American style brown ale (with the SRM of Newcastle) and racked an all-Centennial IPA from primary to secondary. Added an additional 1/2 ounce of Centennial for dry hop in the secondary.