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What I did for beer today

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Went to town to do a little grocery shopping this afternoon, and since I had a real crappy day the day before, my wife tells me to go ahead and get some beer to help me de-stress. So, I picked up a 6 pack of Strongbow Hard Cider with honey.(Yeah, I know, it's not beer, but hey, it's still a potent potable!). Tried one after dinner tonight. Maybe it's just my taste buds and my nose, but I really didn't taste or smell much in the line of honey. The flavor profile and aroma was more tart apple than anything. However, it did get me thinking about trying my hand at brewing a batch of hard cider this fall when the local cider mill opens for the season. I'm leaning towards something sweet, but not so sweet that it masks the alcohol content and sneaks up on you later. :mug:
 
I Decided Iodine was needed to preserve against some Aerobic Microbes like Cooling towers can make. Just a Few drops to each.

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made a homemade stirplate. Made a 1.75L starter, running on stir plate now.

Bottled 5 Gallons of Oatmeal Stout - testing a bench capper a friend gave me (he moved on to begging), works great, very efficient.

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Filled barrel #2 (on the left) with a sour stout last night. Now i just wait. :)View attachment 299043

Maybe its been asked before, but how do you sanitize those barrels before filling? I might be able to get my hands on a couple that are used for some kind of home-made whiskey, for about $50 each. The outside looks to be in great shape, it is a restaurant that is changing its ownership and they want to simply offload them next month. Thought the first couple batches might make for some interesting flavors but the sanitation aspect is making me doubt things.
 
Maybe its been asked before, but how do you sanitize those barrels before filling? I might be able to get my hands on a couple that are used for some kind of home-made whiskey, for about $50 each. The outside looks to be in great shape, it is a restaurant that is changing its ownership and they want to simply offload them next month. Thought the first couple batches might make for some interesting flavors but the sanitation aspect is making me doubt things.

Pretty simple if you do it right. If it was just recently emptied of the spirit and has been sealed since, you shouldnt have any issues and could fill it up no problem. For the barrels I had, I went ahead and added a few bottle of rye whiskey to sanitize and also to keep the barrels hydrated until I would fill them. I emptied all the whiskey out before filling them. After the first fill, as long as I empty them and fill them back up the same day, there shouldn't be any worry of infection.
 
Pretty simple if you do it right. If it was just recently emptied of the spirit and has been sealed since, you shouldnt have any issues and could fill it up no problem. For the barrels I had, I went ahead and added a few bottle of rye whiskey to sanitize and also to keep the barrels hydrated until I would fill them. I emptied all the whiskey out before filling them. After the first fill, as long as I empty them and fill them back up the same day, there shouldn't be any worry of infection.

Thanks! What size are your barrels? How much headspace is acceptable in them? I need to get a better idea on the capacity of these things. If they are too huge, I might have to pass on it.

This opens up a whole new world of potential brews! I might needs to upscale my equipment, though.
 
Thanks! What size are your barrels? How much headspace is acceptable in them? I need to get a better idea on the capacity of these things. If they are too huge, I might have to pass on it.

This opens up a whole new world of potential brews! I might needs to upscale my equipment, though.

Those barrels are 15 gallons each. I dont have any heads pace in them and wouldn't recommend any. If you are able to upgrade your gear to fill the barrel, do it! You will thank me later.
 
My 8% Belgian Tripel is into week 4 of bottle-conditioning. Not. Even. Close. to being ready; on the slightly-sweet/alcohol-y side. Definitely needs much more time to dry out.

New brew: Cardamom Ale recipe from Brooklyn Brew Shop's "Beer Making Book". It took only 12 of those little, eensy-weensy, tiny seeds in the boil for an entire 3 gal. batch! Wort sample was fantastic! OG'd at 1.046 -- should be a great early fall ale! Stay tuned.
 
You bought pre-sliced and frozen mango, right? It was Dole IIRC? I probably need to try that combo soon. Was this your brett saison or a clean one?


Yeah, Dole frozen chunks. Already sterilized and so much easier than cutting that much fresh. This was just the 3726 yeast. That stuff has always fermented to 1.000 or 1.001 for me.
 
Kegged the blonde (yesterdayish) and the "not so" pale ale today. First time adding gelatin to the keg, I usually do it in primary.
 
Traveling for work, so after I took care if all the work stuff, I opened up Brewers Friend on the ol' work laptop in the hotel and worked through the water calcs for the dubbel I'll do next weekend. When I get home, my Columbus IPA should be carved up and ready to go.
 
Measured out my ingredients for my Cascadian dark wheat I'll brew tomorrow. Made the starter of wlp090. Drank a few.
 
Put away some bottles, hop sacks, grain bags & stuff. Outta boxes for beers my son says he'll have to wait till next year to brew. Damn.
 
Brewed Arrogant Bastard Ale Clone today.
Making a starter for Oktoberfest to be brewed early next week.
 
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