Beer is good, making your own is better

[Switch]

When I got home tonight, I transferred my Xtra Hopped Brown Ale from the primary to the secondary.


I think it's been sitting in the primary for at least 4 months. Should be nice.

BONESAW BROWN ALE

Transferring:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_iWoH2wsiCF0/TA2aBZYmzLI/AAAAAAAAKms/s84LV-f0ceI/s800/DSC_0181.NEF.jpg

Siphon:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_iWoH2wsiCF0/TA2aXcqi5_I/AAAAAAAAKmw/_w8EEwFs3Uc/s800/DSC_0182.jpg

The inside of the primary:
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_iWoH2wsiCF0/TA2aa5lOCNI/AAAAAAAAKm0/Zj6MjMxHMhY/s800/DSC_0183.jpg

All transferred:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_iWoH2wsiCF0/TA2aclSMNyI/AAAAAAAAKm4/ttqxG2UX7Dw/s800/DSC_0184.jpg

I tried to capture how dark it is. Used the flash, but it wouldn't make a dent in the opacity:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_iWoH2wsiCF0/TA2aeGLUm7I/AAAAAAAAKm8/ZnRr66oQUhs/s800/DSC_0185.jpg

Last but not least, this is what I call "yeast poop". It's what is left in the bottom of the primary.:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_iWoH2wsiCF0/TA2afyZlDuI/AAAAAAAAKnA/OLObfkjxvPo/s800/DSC_0186.jpg

[VatorMan]

Just bottled a Pilsner, Belgium Dubbel, and a Kolsch myself. I will be brewing a Altbier and Porter in the next week. My typical stash:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/vatorman/DSCN2627.jpg

I usually keep a few cases on hand. :lol

[Switch]

Damn son.

I'm not that dedicated. I usually have a party when it's ready to drink and give it all away.

Though after seeing your pic, I may have to change my procedure :)

[VatorMan]

Damn son.

I'm not that dedicated. I usually have a party when it's ready to drink and give it all away.

Though after seeing your pic, I may have to change my procedure :)

I have beer drinking parties when I need bottles. I've actually sold a few cases to my neighbor for his parties. It's addicting. I'm trying to find the perfect Belgium Dubbel right now. I think I'm close.

[VatorMan]

BTW- one tip-go to Beersmith.com and get the software. You'll thank me.

[Rider]

A couple of things..

1) 4 months in the primary is way too long.

2) Use whole leaf hops and not pellet hops.

3) Why are you subjecting your beer to light? Light kills beer

and

4) You should install a tap at the bottom of your bucket and let gravity work for you rather than having to create a siphon which can introduce bacteria in the beer.

[Switch]

A couple of things..

1) 4 months in the primary is way too long.

2) Use whole leaf hops and not pellet hops.

3) Why are you subjecting your beer to light? Light kills beer

and

4) You should install a tap at the bottom of your bucket and let gravity work for you rather than having to create a siphon which can introduce bacteria in the beer.

Thanks expert.

I didn't realize I had to have it in a dark room to transfer it.

I've done it this way for about 50 gallons worth of beer, never had an issue. But please, go read more on the internet and then tell me what I'm doing wrong.

[Rider]

Thanks expert.

I didn't realize I had to have it in a dark room to transfer it.

I've done it this way for about 50 gallons worth of beer, never had an issue. But please, go read more on the internet and then tell me what I'm doing wrong.

A whole 50 gallons? wow you're a master brewer. I have 10 times that. Just trying to give you friendly advice but apparently you know it all already.

[VatorMan]

BEER SNOB FIGHT !!!:lol

Sorry dude, it's beer not sterilized milk. Did you know that the Aussies made beer by putting it in a bucket and putting cheescloth over the top?

I've got my eye on a conical. One of these days I'm gonna pull the trigger.

[NONE_too_SOFT]

ha, i'll be brewing my own batch here in a couple weeks... well actually as soon as i find a friggin kettle to boil it in. I'll have to hit you up for some advice when the time comes.

[LeeNetworX]

Every time I find one of these threads it makes me want to try this.

[VatorMan]

ha, i'll be brewing my own batch here in a couple weeks... well actually as soon as i find a friggin kettle to boil it in. I'll have to hit you up for some advice when the time comes.

Check CraigsList. That's where I find most of my stuff. I actually found my brewpot at a grocery store. It is an extra large canning pot. I have made do with a turkey fryer pot for smaller batches.

[Rider]

ha, i'll be brewing my own batch here in a couple weeks... well actually as soon as i find a friggin kettle to boil it in. I'll have to hit you up for some advice when the time comes.

Make sure to get stainless steel. Aluminum will put off metallic flavors and the ceramic coated pots have a tendency to chip and again will put off metallic flavors.

[NONE_too_SOFT]

Make sure to get stainless steel. Aluminum will put off metallic flavors and the ceramic coated pots have a tendency to chip and again will put off metallic flavors.

Yea i've read this. I'm just not trying to spend 50 bucks on a pot i'll only use for a couple hours. i keep trying to get my sister to steal something from the country club she works at.

[Switch]

Yea i've read this. I'm just not trying to spend 50 bucks on a pot i'll only use for a couple hours. i keep trying to get my sister to steal something from the country club she works at.

I got a large canning pot as well, got it @ Walmart for $20.

Of course, it's not stainless, so my beer will taste like shit, obviously.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=13377926

BEER SNOB FIGHT !!!:lol

Sorry dude, it's beer not sterilized milk. Did you know that the Aussies made beer by putting it in a bucket and putting cheescloth over the top?


I'm gonna go pasteurize my beer now.

[askmrjesus]

4 months is too long, especially if you're just now racking to a secondary. Two weeks in primary is enough to hit your gravity mark for most ales. Are you taking readings? For darker beers, I don't even bother with a secondary, since you aren't going to able to tell the difference in clarity anyway.

Whole hops are nice if you're set up for it, (strainer tube in kettle) but a lot of varieties can't be easily found outside of pellet form. Nothing "wrong" with pellets.

Get yourself an autosiphon. Just pump and go, with no germies from your pie hole. (1/2" rocks, super fast transfer).

Big yes to Beersmith software. Best 20 bucks I ever spent.

Kegging a Kolsch tonight, and bottling the Porter.

Oh, the "yeast poop" (:lol:) is called Trub.

JC

[Switch]

4 months is too long, especially if you're just now racking to a secondary. Two weeks in primary is enough to hit your gravity mark for most ales. Are you taking readings?

I know it's too long. I didn't do it on purpose. I put it in there and forgot about it. When I went in my closet to get some gear for the rally, I saw it and was like "Oh, I should do something with that"

I took some readings with the hyrdometer, if that's what you are asking.

[askmrjesus]

I know it's too long. I didn't do it on purpose. I put it in there and forgot about it. When I went in my closet to get some gear for the rally, I saw it and was like "Oh, I should do something with that"

Sounds like you kept it in the dark, so it will probably be ok. Longer ferment times do increase the risk of autolysis (dead yeast cells giving off a weird taste) but then again, some brewers offset this by re-pitching.

I took some readings with the hyrdometer, if that's what you are asking.

Yes. So what were the numbers?

JC

[Particle Man]

one of these days I'm actually going to try this. I have room in my basement for a setup but it's kinda damp down there.

[Switch]

Sounds like you kept it in the dark, so it will probably be ok. Longer ferment times do increase the risk of autolysis (dead yeast cells giving off a weird taste) but then again, some brewers offset this by re-pitching.



Yes. So what were the numbers?

JC


I'll let you know after lunch.

[Homeslice]

Make sure to get stainless steel. Aluminum will put off metallic flavors and the ceramic coated pots have a tendency to chip and again will put off metallic flavors.

Truth.......For proof, dribble something acidic like lemon juice or Worsteshire sauce into an aluminum rice cooker pot, and notice the metal taste that gets leached out of the pot.

[askmrjesus]

one of these days I'm actually going to try this. I have room in my basement for a setup but it's kinda damp down there.

In terms of fermenting, "damp" isn't really a problem, as long as you have a good air-lock (plastic thing with water in it) on the carboy (big glass thingy).

The most important thing is a stable temp. Basements are usually good for that, as long as they're warm enough.

JC

[Particle Man]

In terms of fermenting, "damp" isn't really a problem, as long as you have a good air-lock (plastic thing with water in it) on the carboy (big glass thingy).

The most important thing is a stable temp. Basements are usually good for that, as long as they're warm enough.

JC

it stays around 60 to 65 degrees down there unless it gets far below zero outside.

[VatorMan]

it stays around 60 to 65 degrees down there unless it gets far below zero outside.

Good fermentation of an ale is about 70-75 degrees. At 60 you might be able to make lager. :lol

[Switch]

Tap the Rockieeeeeeeeeeeeeeees.

Coors Light.

FROST BREWED.

[Particle Man]

Tap the Rockieeeeeeeeeeeeeeees.

Coors Light.

FROST BREWED.

Yeah but we're talking about beer here...

[tommymac]

Tap the Rockieeeeeeeeeeeeeeees.

Coors Light.

FROST BREWED.

I would ban you if I could for that comment, or just give you another wedgie :lol:

[Switch]

I would ban you if I could for that comment, or just give you another wedgie :lol:

lol.

[NONE_too_SOFT]

I would ban you if I could for that comment, or just give you another wedgie :lol:

hey hey hey, beer is beer, dont be a snob.

[Rider]

hey hey hey, beer is beer, dont be a snob.

Blasphemy!

[tommymac]

hey hey hey, beer is beer, dont be a snob.

Dont make be be enforcer and kick you in the ribs too :lol:

[askmrjesus]

Dont make be be enforcer and kick you in the ribs too :lol:

Oh, go ahead.

Ribs are ribs, right?

JC

[VatorMan]

Dont make be be enforcer and kick you in the ribs too :lol:

mmmmmm...ribs.

[Rider]

mmmmmm...ribs.

Rip tips. mmmm

[askmrjesus]

Rip tips.

Worst condom brand name ever.

JC

[Rider]

Worst condom brand name ever.

JC

LOL meant rib tips.

[tommymac]

mmmmmm...ribs.

remember these are NTS ribs here thats an entireley different animal, we dont know where those ribs have been :lol:

[Particle Man]

hey hey hey, beer is beer, dont be a snob.

What?!?!? :eek:

I think this comment just made a baby cry somewhere...