Homebrewers - Whats in the fermenter?

[BlackDog]

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?

[landhoney]

Originally Posted by BlackDog

What will you be brewing for the colder months?

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)

[Mikey202]

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?

[landhoney]

Originally Posted by Mikey202

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?

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).

[Mikey202]

Originally Posted by landhoney

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).

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

[kenstogie]

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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[BlackDog]

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

[kenstogie]

Originally Posted by BlackDog

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

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

[kaisersozei]

Originally Posted by BlackDog

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

How was it?!

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

[kenstogie]

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.

[St. Lou Stu]

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.

[JHinc]

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.

[kenstogie]

Originally Posted by JHinc

i now brew beer for a living.

Lucky dog!!!
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[kenstogie]

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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[BeerAdvocate]

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

[kaisersozei]

Originally Posted by BeerAdvocate

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

[BeerAdvocate]

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

[kenstogie]

Originally Posted by BeerAdvocate

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

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.

[kaisersozei]

Originally Posted by BeerAdvocate

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

Been a long time since I used dry yeast, but Nottingham gives great results for a no/low-profile yeast. I think I'll be making a stop at my HBS this weekend!