Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

National Homebrew Day is coming upon May 7th, and this Saturday is AHA's "Big Brew:"

http://www.homebrewersassociation.or...l-homebrew-day

May not be enough time to coordinate something in line with what they're doing, but one of the recipes they've chosen this year is an American Wheat Beer. That could be a good cigar beer.

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

Well the yeast is alive kicking and bubbleling like a mad man. I hope my dunkelweizen turns out well I am bringing it to a herf! home brew always turns out good as long as you follow a coulpe "rules" ;)
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Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

I vote RIS. Maybe paired with Triple Maduro? Hah. I still need to try that. Like I said I love big Stouts and nice Maduros.

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

I could be wrong but I was reading May 1st...
Title: AHA Big Brew: Celebrating National Homebrew Day

Date: 05/01/10 12:01 AM - 05/01/10 11:59 PM

In 1988, May 7th was announced before Congress as National Homebrew Day. The American Homebrewers Association created Big Brew as an annual event to celebrate National Homebrew Day not only in the United States, but around the world. Big Brew is held each year on the first Saturday in May.

http://www.homebrewersassociation.or...vents/calendar

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

Right: National Homebrew Day is May 7th, but the first Saturday in May (May 1 this year) is "Big Brew" day. So I was suggesting we could sync our Cigar Asylum brew with Big Brew day.

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

That's cool just wanted to understand and have others understand too.

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

Well, 8 days with a half tsp of amylase enzyme seems to have helped a good deal. Or perhaps it was just 8 more days of settling. In any case, my beer seems to look like "beer" now rather than wallpaper paste. Picture comparison below.

I just racked it over to a clean carboy, added a Tbsp of Biofine Clear, and will give it another week before bottling. It's down to one small bubble every 2 minutes in the airlock.

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

Much better! I was worried for you...! :tu

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

Hopefully brewing my first lager in a loooong time this weekend, Oktoberfest. Got the kegerator set-up to just under 50F (which is the low end for the yeast), so I figure cracking the door every so often and the heat from fermentation (maybe a degree or two) this one will be OK.
Any lager experts? Will 48F be OK to ferment at?

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

I am not a lager expert but after last night I am a lot better at cleaning up after a spillover. ARRRRGH!
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Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

I racked my Ferocious (Surly Furious clone) over to secondary last night, it gets dry-hopped with 3 oz. of hops. I harvested the yeast for a batch of ESB I plan to make in the next week or two. Tastes good now, should taste great once it's dry hopped and carbonated.

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/h...ferocious1.jpg

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

Did my first bottling tonight. Here is my first bottle (22 oz) and a glass of uncarbonated beer. It's a cream ale, so I think it came out a little cloudier than it should have. This picture makes it look a little pink, but it's really a nice orange/yellow color. I dry hopped it with an ounce of Cascade hops, and it tastes really nice. Now I'll let it sit for a couple weeks to carbonate. :tu

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

Lookin' good :tu It should clarify even more in the bottle, so you may be happier with the results after a few weeks

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

So true, plus (in the future I mean) you can let it clarify in the primary or secondary for a while plus theres things to add for clarification too if need be.

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

I got the beer to clear up in secondary, but then I dry-hopped it, and just put the hop pellets directly into the beer. The cloudiness is a little "debris" from the hops. When I moved the secondary carboy to the kitchen I stirred up the hops, and some of them siphoned over to the bottling bucket. Next time I need to let the beer settle a while after moving the carboy before bottling. I figure once I chill the bottles before drinking the residue will "cold crash" to the bottom, and I can leave it in the bottle when pouring into a glass.

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

I kegged my dry hopped Pale Ale last night. I too use pellet hops. Here is what I do in order to keep the pellet hop debris out:

1. Take a grain bag and cut it in half. Keep the closed end and sanitize it and a rubber band.
2. Use the rubber band and attach the bag to the tube end of your siphon
3. The grain bag will catch all of the hop debris and the beer will filter through the bag = clear beer!!!

Works like a charm!!!!!
If you dont have an extra grain bag to cut, you can go to Lowes or Homedepot and purchase 1 gallon paint strainer bags.

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

Gotch Warren, I should've paid closer attention. I have heard using a muslin (sp)?) bag works great.

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

Mesh bag = brilliant. Thanks for the tip guys!

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

I prefer nylon to muslin in this case. You want them to spread out as much as they can, and the muslin being stretchy will tend to hold them together more. The nylon is also reusable.

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

An alternative to dry hopping is to make a hop tea which you then add to the bottling bucket. It works okay, but I get much more satisfaction out of seeing those hops floating in the carboy.

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

Stuck fermentation what to do? So I am brewing a wheat stout and been in the primary for a week. OG 1.060. Current Grav is 1.030 but shouldn't have dropped more? It didn't seem to bubble much like usual brews. I used liq Ale yeast. I took a quik taste, it wasn't bad and had what I would describe as a fizz to it. Does this mean it's still fermenting?
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Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

You're going to have to give some details of the recipe to make a better determination, but I would say just give it some more time, one week is not that long. The fizz is dissolved CO2 which is and indication that it has been fermenting recently or currently, even after the beer is done fermenting though there will still be some dissolved CO2 in the beer. I think you just need to wait a while longer, it's hard to make hard and fast rules about homebrewing, like "primary fermentation will be done in a week, two weeks in secondary and three weeks to bottle carb. " Doesn't always work exactly like that. :tu Let's see the recipe and keep us updated, but don't check the gravity every day, wait at least a few before trying again, then if it is still at 1.030 we can look for a fix.

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

You are probably right. It always seems to work out. :)
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Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

Liquid yeast, did you make a starter? How fresh was it? How well did you aerate? It's possible it ran out of steam. What yeast are we talking about, anyway?

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

:tpd: I'd leave it alone for awhile. It may sneak CO2 bubbles out of the airlock when you're not looking :D

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

Yep. Definitely leave it for a couple more weeks. If it's still stuck, dump it on to a yeast cake of a bigger beer. Let that sit for a couple weeks. If it's still stuck use some Amalyse Enzyme.

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

I was just wondering what you guys are brewing, or planning to brew, for the colder autumn and winter months. I've never brewed a heavy gravity beer that needs a long time in secondary, but am thinking of doing something like an imperial stout or porter with the additions of oak, vanilla and bourbon. Midwest has an interesting kit, their Power Packed Porter, wghich I may do with my additions, or something like Denny's Vanilla Bourbon porter.

What will you be brewing for the colder months?

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

Doesn't get that cold here, but I still like to brew big beers.....

Barleywine (bourbon barrel aged)
'Dark' Saison (trying to 'perfect' a Saison for each season, a'la Fantome)
Smoked Wee Heavy (a'la Hair of the Dog Adam -also bourbon barrel aged)

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

Just bought a brew kit. Got a Dark and Stormy Night Stout. I'm on vacation next week, so that's what I'm going to do one of the days.
I have one question.... the yeast packet I have is a pack, that you bust a bubble inside. I'm used to using yeast in a tube (White Labs). This packet that I have, says that I have to make a starter, ect. Seems like alot of extra work. Can I just activate the yeast pack and then just add it to the wort when the time comes to add the yeast, or do I have to make a starter first?

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

It depends on the original gravity of the beer (what is yours?), and how fresh the yeast is really. But the short answer is that yes you can just smack it and pitch it into the wort. If the gravity of the beer is high, or the yeast is not that fresh making a starter is a good idea. Also, once you make a starter or two it's easy, I make one for just about every batch. Pitching the right amount of yeast will make your beer better, sometimes a 'smack pack' is enough, but other times not (like in high gravity beers or when the yeast is not fresh)

And actually there are two types of Wyeast packs; Activators and Propagators, which do you have? If it's a Propagator Pack then you really should make a starter, they are designed with a lower active cell count to make a starter with, the Activators are designed to be pitched into lower gravity beers without a starter (but should use a starter in the above instances).

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

Well called Austin home brew and it is indeed "stuck". Real friendly great knowledgable guy to deal with explained what to do. Oxygenate and add a yeast fuel. He also explained that my OG (1.060). was a touch high for the ueast just to dump in there. He said 2 things will help improve your beer considerbly
1-consistant accurate temp
2-oxygenating (not aerating per se)

I think that's thje jist I took notes but don't have them here.
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Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

Here it is! My very first glass of homebrewed beer! :)

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/h...bcreamale4.jpg

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

Looks good to me. I am sure it tasted great.

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

NICE. I wish everyone brewed there own beer and no one bought that watery stuff.

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

How was it?!

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

It's a Wyeast Lab Propagator. Do I just use some of the malt extract for the starter?

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

Yep, around 1/2 a cup dry malt extract in two cups of water should do it. Just do a search online for any and all instructions you may need, but you're basically just making a tiny little batch of un-hopped beer for the yeast to grow in. :tu Good luck.

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

Brewing/herfing short anecdote...

Was at Birthday herf sharing some Homebrew with an individual (and anyone else that wanted one) who owns a company or two and he was (i think) joking when he said
"tell your current job to go f$%k off, and start a brew house, I'll back it. No I'm serious." Aint no way I a quitting the good gig I got now but that compliment was sure nice. It was just a Dunkelwiezen. :)

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

Thanks.

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

A 1 pint starter is nowhere near enough to grow up enough yeast from a Propagator. That would barely be enough to grow up to the point of the Activator, and that's assuming optimal oxygenation. I would probably be doing closer to a 2 liter starter, and I use a stirplate.

Anyone using liquid yeast cultures should really read up on starters and pitching rates. There's a great article here: http://www.mrmalty.com/pitching.php

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

After a long discussion with Tristan this weekend, I'm commencing the Keggle build this week.
I figured I'd start simple and just do a 1/2" x 4" stainless welded nipple and I could add a sightglass or anything else later.
I'll post up some pics as I progress or finish.

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

Ah awesome some homebrewers!

I used to brew at home aswell. But well seeing how i now brew beer for a living the homebrewing has become a little less intresting lol.

Lucky dog!!!
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Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

Un stuck my wheat stout (which I am told is a heavy duty version of a dunkelwzn) and it started bubbling almost immediately.
A- made a starter yeast out of an Ale yeast pkt I had, let sit for 5 hours (smelled like bread)
B-mixed/pitched in W/yeast energizer ans stirred up the bottom.temp at 72 df
C- recovered
This is by no means the "correct" way (although maybe it is, I dunno) just the way I did it based on various info I have gathered.
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Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

He never said what the OG of the beer in question was, or the date on the yeast pack, so that could be overpitching. But one pint is probably too small for a Propagator, you are correct (forgot how small they are, I think I have only used them with Brett and Pedio cultures as that is the only way they come, and in those cases they were not used for primary fermentation so I didn't care what size the starter was). :tu

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

I brewed the American IPA kit from AustinHomebrew last night. 4 ounces of hops and smells wonderful so far!

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

:dr:tu

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

Im brewing a Centennial Blonde tonight in order to have on hand for the family at 4th of July. Perfect for the BudLight crowd, yet good enough for the microbrew crowd.
Here is the Very Easy & Simple extract recipe:

5.00 lb Extra Light Dry Extract (3.0 SRM) Dry Extract 83.3 %
1.00 lb Cara-Pils/Dextrine (2.0 SRM) Grain 16.7 %
0.25 oz Centennial [9.50%] (45 min) Hops 7.8 IBU
0.25 oz Centennial [9.50%] (20 min) Hops 5.1 IBU
0.25 oz Cascade [7.80%] (10 min) Hops 2.5 IBU
0.25 oz Cascade [7.80%] (5 min) Hops 1.4 IBU
1 Pkgs Nottingham (Danstar #-) Yeast-Ale

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

Love those kinds that are good for all crowd and sometimes it brings em over to t he dark side. I may have to try this.

Re: Homebrewers - Whats in the fermeter?
 

Ya know. It's been a few months since I brewed. I've been looking at the Austin Home Brew Six Malt Amber.