OK we were using similar but the pot was too deep. Maybe we'll use a smaller pot (we used a small turkey fryer.)
Ok I need a tip... We are 3 batches deep, 2 bottled. Bottling has been an adventure, yesterday mostly due to the p.o.s. wand kept sticking at first. I finally figured out the plastic tip had plastic strips stuck in it jamming the spring and stopper. Question 1: are there better bottling wands than the cheapies that comes in these starter kits? Second problem is even after letting the bottling bucket settle for about half an hour, we still get plenty of solids in the last few bottles. I figure this is normal, but would like to add a screen. Question 2: anyone ever rigged a screen up? Amber, Irish Red ale in the books, and the Porter is now fermenting.
Filtering isn't an option unless you have a pump. For the hassle and time you save going to some sort of bulk serving system is the best option IMHO. Kegs, bigger bottles, or some other solution is something you should look into. I brew more often now that I don't have to deal with bottles Edit to add the old GE loaded to the gills for friends tomorrow, Home brew in the 2L bottles at the bottom left. All Michigan microbrews but the Bud Heavy
Does your bottling bucket have a spigot? I find it easier than a bottling wand. Also wrapping a sanitized paint strainer bag around your racking cane while racking from fermenter to bottling bucket helps keep the sediment out.
Uncle Augie how long does the beer last in the plastic 2L? Unfortunately we can't really keg as it is a 3 person effort. My buddy has suggested going to bombers, but those aren't free until we scrounge up enough. Todd yes on the spigot and thanks for the advice.
Just had a couple of belgian doubles that were bottled into 2l plastic clear in early September, aged until early November in the basement in rubbermade tubs to keep any light out, then put into the beer fridge and force carbed the first week of November. So we have three months, most of my beer never lasts that long. Any longer I bulk age in the 5l metal kegs. Have a belgian quad waiting till the new year. That has been aging since the fourth of July.
Haven't brewed for months and the holiday break provides the time to get a few batches in. I'm going to attempt my first true lager and try to clone one of my favorites, Yuengling. My brewing buddy has a spare fridge so I bought a temperature controller today when I got my grain. I'm making a starter of Wyeast 2035 American Lager yeast and going to step it up once.
5gl all grain to a Cornelius keg , CO2 purged. Since 1990. I grow Cascade hops (the mother is 12yrs old)
The Taddy Porter clone is bottled and our Killian's knockoff is surprisingly very good. Our very first batch was just kind of meh... So I think our standards were set very low.
Big day yesterday as we kegged our last brews....Yuengling Lager clone and an Irish Stout.....and brewed two more batches and pitched onto the yeast cakes after transferring to kegs. This is my first true lager and was our first time kegging. I brewed a Munich Dunkel and we brewed a Russian Imperial Stout for my buddy. That Russian Imperial is a "big beer" with original gravity goal of about 1.096. The 22lb grain bill was way more than we've ever done and presented some issues with stuck sparges, but we still got 1.083 OG and this beer will finish at about 9% ABV. Lagering has begun on my Yuengling clone and I'm hopeful for some crisp, clear lager in about 10 or 12 weeks.
That is beyond SLICK~! What a great idea, those dudes are going to make big $. I just ordered one.....
Really nice bud your growing! Training: Once they legalize it everywhere (not long from now), you'll know exactly what your doing! Amazing you guys are growing your own hops,....
Hey, I'm talking to myself now. The Porter was very good as well! We have upped the ante and are double brewing... up for bottling this Friday is an IPA and an Oatmeal Stout. The brew menu consists of a blond ale (my buddy insists spring is coming and we need lighter stuff) and a Cold Snap (Witbier) attempt.
Sounds good. I'm still chugging away at the beer that I brewed. But I need to get back into another batch or two. I'd be interested in the IPA, since my taste buds are starting to like them.
I don't dig them, but I was the odd man out. However, I did get to pick the recipe and it's a Sammy's Rebel knockoff which actually is pretty low on the IBUs for an IPA and one that I do enjoy. I'll let you know in about 3 weeks how we did. The stout is a 6 week minimum in bottles so it will be a wait.
