Homebrew Beer Howto

BaZmO* · 04-03-2014 10:51AM

irish_goat wrote: »

A 3.5l starter seems far too much to me. There's a chance you picked up an infection when it bubbled out and all over your wardrobe. That would explain why it could still be bubbling.

While I agree with you about the 3.5l starter probably being too much, vigorous fermentation does not equate to having an infection.

drumswan · 04-03-2014 10:57AM

Thought of infection had crossed my mind alright. Theres no off smells or flavours at this point, we shall see. I swapped out the bung and airlock for a fresh santised one a couple of times.

I was looking to hit Brewersfriends' 'Pro Brewer 1.0' target pitch rate of 300+ billion cells for high gravity ales. Using their 0.75 target pitch rate lines up with Mr Malty and Beersmith, so Id be fairly confident in the calculation. All my larger batch beers have tasted 'sugary' so far, hope I havent gone too far the other way. Its all part of the fun anyway.

drumswan · 04-03-2014 11:13AM

Heres the Brewersfriend yeast pitching rate calculator explained for reference.

http://www.brewersfriend.com/2012/11/07/yeast-pitch-rates-explained/

irish_goat · 04-03-2014 11:15AM

BaZmO* wrote: »

While I agree with you about the 3.5l starter probably being too much, vigorous fermentation does not equate to having an infection.

If the krausen spewed out of the fermenter and wasn't handled properly it could cause one.

drumswan · 04-03-2014 11:20AM

irish_goat wrote: »

If the krausen spewed out of the fermenter and wasn't handled properly it could cause one.

Agreed, the krasuen filled the airlock at one point making a 'bridge' from the outside back to the beer, meaning contamination is a possibility. Interestingly, i had the carboy in a basin which I swapped out and forgot about. There was a horrific smell from the basin which is not present at any level in the beer itself so hopefully I got away with it. There is no visible sign of infection in the beer either (the carboy is see-through). I sanitised the replacement airlocks/bungs and mouth of the carboy with Starsan a couple of times.

BaZmO* · 04-03-2014 12:19PM

irish_goat wrote: »

If the krausen spewed out of the fermenter and wasn't handled properly it could cause one.

It's unlikely though, as once the fermentation has occurred (as indicated by the vigorous krausen) the presence of alcohol tends to keep away the nasties.

The_Pretender · 06-03-2014 04:12PM

I've got a Canadian Blonde Kit which I'm hoping to start soon. Just looking for advice on what to do with it?

I'm think of putting in a brew enhancer (Coopers BE1 or BE2?) and if I do that do I still need to add in a malt as well? Advice on yeast would be appreciated as well.

Thinking of dry hopping with Cascade in the secondary as well.

BeerNut · 06-03-2014 04:21PM

The_Pretender wrote: »

I'm think of putting in a brew enhancer (Coopers BE1 or BE2?) and if I do that do I still need to add in a malt as well?

No, that'll do instead. BE2 has a higher malt content, but a kilo of spraymalt would be better than either.

The_Pretender wrote: »

Advice on yeast would be appreciated as well.

May as well use the one supplied with the kit.

The_Pretender wrote: »

Thinking of dry hopping with Cascade in the secondary as well.

Go for it. 20-30g for a week before bottling should do it.

drumswan · 11-03-2014 12:24PM

BaZmO* wrote: »

It's unlikely though, as once the fermentation has occurred (as indicated by the vigorous krausen) the presence of alcohol tends to keep away the nasties.

No infection in this anyway. Racked off a quarter to a raspberry/chocolate secondary, left the rest in primary another week as it was still bubbling away half way through week four and its not quite at target FG. Had a little sample and its tasting good.

Did another brew last night, an Apollo & Amarillo 80 IBU IPA with a recipe hastily thrown together after thehomebrewclub shipped me the wrong grain AGAIN. Plan on dry hopping it to hell with Columbus. First time Ive done an extract brew without including any crystal malt in the steep, its a lovely golden yellow colour.

drumswan · 19-03-2014 03:18PM

Well I bottled this today and its still tasting too sweet, driving me nuts.

Im going to look at replacing a portion of DME with Dextrose in my next batch to dry and get a dryer tasting beer. Anyone any insights on how much of a recipes 3KG of extract to replace?

ian_m · 21-03-2014 02:56PM

Anybody used Youngs Body bru before? When is the best time to add? At the beginning or at bottling? Any experiences?

cletus van damme · 14-04-2014 01:25PM

novice here...

Question on dry hopping and adding additional flavour.

I'd like to dry hop and maybe add some other items during fermentation.

Do you just lob them in or put them in something (imagining an enclosed tea strainer or something) or does it matter?

BaZmO* · 14-04-2014 02:16PM

cletus van damme wrote: »

novice here...

Question on dry hopping and adding additional flavour.

I'd like to dry hop and maybe add some other items during fermentation.

Do you just lob them in or put them in something (imagining an enclosed tea strainer or something) or does it matter?

Either way is fine but putting them into something like a muslin bag helps to fish them out once you're done.

cletus van damme · 14-04-2014 02:29PM

BaZmO* wrote: »

Either way is fine but putting them into something like a muslin bag helps to fish them out once you're done.

nice one. actually that was the original genesis of my question.

BeerNut · 14-04-2014 02:40PM

Remember that, with the exception of hops, anything you add will need to be sanitised. Most things can be boiled in a small amount of water for five minutes to sanitise them.

rubadub · 15-04-2014 04:56PM

Tesco value thin bleach is now only 1.5% strength :mad:

I got stung last night. Sneaky gits have the usual "less than 5%" on it, making you think it would be normal, as most bleaches say less than 5 or 6% on them. I gave it a whiff and thought it was really weak, it had a manufacture date which was very recent. Of course "less than 5% is true", but should really be "less than 2%" if they did not intend to deceive.

http://www.tesco.ie/groceries/Product/Details/?id=260550096

Tesco Everyday Value Thin Bleach 2 Litre

Tesco Everyday Value Thin Bleach contains amongst other ingredients: Less than 5% Chlorine based bleaching agent,Disinfectant: Sodium Hypochlorite 1.5g per 100g

http://www.tesco.ie/groceries/Product/Details/?id=257841394

Tesco Citrus Thick Bleach contains amongst other ingredients. Nonionic Surfactant,Anionic Surfactant Less than 5% Also contains: Disinfectant: Sodium Hypochlorite 4.5g per 100g ,Perfume

So its probably 1/3 the strength it used to be, I think I read diluted bleach is more unstable too though. I am pretty sure it used be stronger as I remember the stink off it.

People would have to adjust their ratios if mixing with vinegar.

baron von something · 15-04-2014 10:17PM

can anyone help me out as how to get around lagering temperatures.there's a few recipes i found that i'd like to try but they're all types of lager requiring lower temperatures

i wouldn't fit my fv in a mini fridge and i've no room (or money) for a regular fridge.any other ideas at how to keep the temperature down?

would using an ale yeast and having it at a slightly higher temperature work.room temperature or something like that

alastair · 16-04-2014 09:16AM

baron von something wrote: »

can anyone help me out as how to get around lagering temperatures.there's a few recipes i found that i'd like to try but they're all types of lager requiring lower temperatures

i wouldn't fit my fv in a mini fridge and i've no room (or money) for a regular fridge.any other ideas at how to keep the temperature down?

would using an ale yeast and having it at a slightly higher temperature work.room temperature or something like that

There's no way around the need for a refrigeration if you want proper lagering. Faux lagers with ale yeast can offer a decent substitute all the same. I'm just coming to the end of lagering in a fridge bought secondhand for fermentation purposes (€50 on Adverts - great quality fridge that holds two 25 litre buckets. Squeezed it into the utility room), but I've completed two faux lagers as well; a Better Brew 'Pilsner' and a Brewers Spring 'Mexican cerveza'. Both turned out pretty well - the second one in particular. Both just needed regular fermentation/conditioning temperatures.

baron von something · 16-04-2014 11:11AM

alastair wrote: »

There's no way around the need for a refrigeration if you want proper lagering. Faux lagers with ale yeast can offer a decent substitute all the same. I'm just coming to the end of lagering in a fridge bought secondhand for fermentation purposes (€50 on Adverts - great quality fridge that holds two 25 litre buckets. Squeezed it into the utility room), but I've completed two faux lagers as well; a Better Brew 'Pilsner' and a Brewers Spring 'Mexican cerveza'. Both turned out pretty well - the second one in particular. Both just needed regular fermentation/conditioning temperatures.

i'll give adverts a look.what kind of size/dimensions of fridge should i be looking for or will any auld one do

alastair · 16-04-2014 01:22PM

baron von something wrote: »

i'll give adverts a look.what kind of size/dimensions of fridge should i be looking for or will any auld one do

Measure your buckets, and establish the precise inner dimensions of the fridge - the exterior dimensions are the ones usually quoted, but don't really help for fermentation purposes. I got an integrated double height Liebherr larder fridge (you don't want a freezer section, so better to get a fridge without), that had removable door shelves, so it's pretty roomy inside once they're gone. Cut a strong shelf for the top bucket, rigged up a bar heater and a STC-1000 temp controller, and Bob's your uncle.

rameire · 01-05-2014 09:49PM

a question if I may.
I am keeping 5 bottles of every brew that I make for long term storage.
how long can I keep bottles in storage before they will start to go bad.
Oldest is from Nov 13.
the rest never last more than 6 weeks after bottling, think I need to increase the amount for long term storage from each batch.

Still doing kits, trying to find what I really like so currently brewing batch number 11 at the moment, but will move up the brewing ladder soon.

Cheers

adamski8 · 01-05-2014 10:18PM

Why are you keeping them? I think maybe you should be asking how long should you keep them before they stop becoming better and then drink them!

rameire · 01-05-2014 10:22PM

that would have been a better way to put the question yes.

rameire · 01-05-2014 10:26PM

I am keeping them so that I can hopefully drink them at their best

BaZmO* · 01-05-2014 10:29PM

rameire wrote: »

I am keeping them so that I can hopefully drink them at their best

It depends on the style tbh. Like wine, some beers age well and some are best drunk young.

rameire · 01-05-2014 10:42PM

ok, so probably best if I just continue to drink, and if I feel it needs more time, then best to let it sit and try again at a later stage.

BeerNut · 02-05-2014 12:13AM

It's an unfortunate side-effect of home brewing that beers are sometimes at their best just as you get to the last bottle. Anything with a bright, fresh hop aroma or flavour will lose that after a few months. Strong beers, and dark ones especially, seem to improve indefinitely, as long as they're sealed and stored properly. And yeah: if something isn't tasting good, the best option is to put it aside for a couple of months and then come back to it. The change can be dramatic.

rubadub · 02-07-2014 07:30PM

1.2kg of sugar is €1 in dealz
http://www.dealz.ie/whitworths-white-sugar-1-2kg

rubadub · 25-07-2014 01:01PM

I was in a healthfood shop looking for yeast and/or kits. They had none but the guy brewed himself and said a off licence in blackrock (dublin) now supposedly stocks kits.

He wasn't sure which, I was suggesting the shop where oddbins was, think it is now called blackrock cellar.

http://iloveblackrock.ie/directory/off-license/blackrock-cellar/

I will email them.

rubadub · 25-07-2014 03:23PM

So the owner got back to me, they only do the "beer machine" it is €100, and they have 8 types of refill for it, which are €16 each. No other kits or accessories.

http://www.beermachine.com/

Here is the off licence facebook page, they have a wide variety of beer.
https://www.facebook.com/blackrock.cellar

Homebrew Beer Howto

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