Monday, March 2, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Holy Flocculate!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
New Equipment
Been making some upgrades for the home brewery. First, I moved from a bucket to a glass fermenting tank. I also upgraded the aeration process with a 5 micron stone and aquarium pump for heartier fermentation. Bought a carboy top and stainless racking cane to round out the fermentation upgrade. Nice Kraeusen action a few days into the brew! Don't think I'll need the double air lock next time.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
2nd Stage for the APA
Siphoned the APA out of primary into 2nd stage Better Bottle on Monday. It is a nice rich brown color, 25 SRM. There was good fermentation after the re-pitch though not nearly as vigorous as I would have preferred with a propagated liquid yeast. The taste is good, though I worry about off dialectal flavors developing later on due to either too soft water or overheating the grains in the steeping stage.
Once the weather warms up a bit I plan on brewing a Porter kit that I got from Northern Brewers.
Once the weather warms up a bit I plan on brewing a Porter kit that I got from Northern Brewers.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Water
Water is important! All grain brewers have to "condition" the water but I'm talking about the water us partial mash brewers use. In the past I have bought filtered spring water from Walmart. Not to be confused with reverse osmosis. As a result, I've never been happy with the finished beer. After all what is important here? I simply used tap water for batch of American Ale I brewed last week. Our tap water tasted pretty good so I poured 6 gallons 48 hours before the boil. I am told the chlorine evaporates resulting in usable brewing waters.
I do add a tablespoon of gypsum to harden the water which I'm told is preferred. Any comments are appreciated!
I do add a tablespoon of gypsum to harden the water which I'm told is preferred. Any comments are appreciated!
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