Take this as a formally apology to you faithful followers of rogobeers (all 3 of you) as I've not updated things in quite a while. Let's see... an engagement to Liz, trip to New York, trip to Australia, yada yada yada. However better late than never and hopefully we (all 4 of us) can drive some google ad rev yet!
Anyway I will be postdating some entries to try and catch up on all the chronological brewing events. So check it out from June 19th until now. More to follow.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Trip to New York
Liz's cousin Erin was getting married in New York - so what better time to take a road trip to New York right? We really enjoyed ourselves going there - on the way stopped in Port Huron and had lunch at Quay Street Brewery. In tradition snapped a shot of their Cream Ale... mmm
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
August?
After finishing the IPA, I relinked the Wright to the kegerator and sampled on an off for the month. Though won't have too much time to taste as trips to New York and Australia are coming up. Though never too late to draft a homebrew now and then :)
Friday, July 31, 2009
July?
It was around this month that I kegged the IPA.
Also around this month that the keg of IPA was enjoyed... I couldn't hold out anymore even though the Wright was going down good. I had to switch the lines to the IPA to try it - and it was fantastic. So good that I never changed it back to the Wright until the IPA was gone. Charlie's secret IPA recipe proved itself many times over. He really should have his own brewery, it's ridiculous.
Thanks Charlie!
Also around this month that the keg of IPA was enjoyed... I couldn't hold out anymore even though the Wright was going down good. I had to switch the lines to the IPA to try it - and it was fantastic. So good that I never changed it back to the Wright until the IPA was gone. Charlie's secret IPA recipe proved itself many times over. He really should have his own brewery, it's ridiculous.
Thanks Charlie!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Even Beer Can't....
Convince her to say yes... but she did :)
Liz and I are officially engaged, and we celebrated with some bubbly, I guess it'll do :)
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Kegerator - Party On
So the Wright has been kegged, linked, and sampled... and oh so delicious.
After boasting to my friends this success it was time to have them over for a sampling. And sample we did! :) pictures don't do this evening justice.
(pics courtesy of Drew)
After boasting to my friends this success it was time to have them over for a sampling. And sample we did! :) pictures don't do this evening justice.
(pics courtesy of Drew)
Friday, June 19, 2009
I need to come clean with you, the devoted readers of RogoBeers.
I've been holding out on you.
Last Sunday I actually purchased a kegerator. It's truly been a long process (as disturbed as this sounds). Following Uncle Charlie's prophesy, if you really want to do homebrew then you should do it via kegs and bypass all the bottling hassle. I agree, not that bottling is bad or undesirable, but it's simply going from learner's permit to license.
So my search for kegerator started young. I wanted something with character, something that would keep the beer cold, and something that "fit"... whatever that meant. A newer, white straddle fridge/freezer combo? No. Brown or green doors? ... maybe. Floor freezer converted to kegerator? Perhaps.
But then, low and behold I'd found it. And where else to find such a gem than Craigslist! Although it hasn't been a smooth process, as I needed to upgrade some connectotrs and ancillaries... I can tell it's the "fit" I was looking for.
Only my parents knew before you, though here are her first photos.
I've been holding out on you.
Last Sunday I actually purchased a kegerator. It's truly been a long process (as disturbed as this sounds). Following Uncle Charlie's prophesy, if you really want to do homebrew then you should do it via kegs and bypass all the bottling hassle. I agree, not that bottling is bad or undesirable, but it's simply going from learner's permit to license.
So my search for kegerator started young. I wanted something with character, something that would keep the beer cold, and something that "fit"... whatever that meant. A newer, white straddle fridge/freezer combo? No. Brown or green doors? ... maybe. Floor freezer converted to kegerator? Perhaps.
But then, low and behold I'd found it. And where else to find such a gem than Craigslist! Although it hasn't been a smooth process, as I needed to upgrade some connectotrs and ancillaries... I can tell it's the "fit" I was looking for.
Only my parents knew before you, though here are her first photos.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
IPA Racked to 2nd
Finally was able to get some time today to rack the IPA into the second carboy. It's been 15 days about and the activity is done. Racking went well and had quite a bit of trub but was able to tipthe carboy enough to get most of the liquid.
Reading on the hydrometer is 1.08. Quick taste of the brew and it tastes incredible. I think I should have dry hopped it for a little more bitter but it'll do for now.
Think I'll leave it for about a week then bottle or keg it.
Reading on the hydrometer is 1.08. Quick taste of the brew and it tastes incredible. I think I should have dry hopped it for a little more bitter but it'll do for now.
Think I'll leave it for about a week then bottle or keg it.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Still Chuggin Away
Got home tonight and had a chance to rack the IPA to the secondary carboy but looking at it there still was plenty of activity. The airlock wasn't as active but the internals were. So I've decided to just leave it be for another few days then rack it on Sunday. I think I will dry hop it as well. Hydrometer is close to 1.09.
Monday, June 8, 2009
IPA Hydro Reading
Gave a good look at the hydrometer and it's sitting at about 1.010. Clearing nicely with the moss. Was tempted to rack to the secondary carboy as it's already been a week, but it's still fermenting quite a bit. Of course I have little time this week to rack it over, at best would be Saturday which would be 12 days in the primary. Hmmm.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Taste o' the Honey
Taste o' the honey... it's been sitting in bottles for a 15 days now just conditioning. I had a taste last week with Drew but was still too early. And I've been a little skeptical since the Amber Ale never really got going. But the Honey Wheat was much further fermented and I had a good feeling on this one.
I grabbed a couple of bottles and put them in the fridge to chill so Liz and I could try one. Just cracked it and immediately noticed that there was actually carbonation! And when I poured it even some head! Whoa... much different experience than the Amber Ale, and really a product of the yeast.
How to describe the taste... honey is there and the carbonation really hits. Mouthfeel is complete, not overpowering. Scent is reminiscent of the early blow off tube smell, but nothing to worry about. Taste is friendly and floral, fresh buzzing aftertaste. A deeper color than the wit beers, which you'd expect and a good wheat taste as well. Overall very nice!
Even the most critical judge (Liz) was pleased.
I grabbed a couple of bottles and put them in the fridge to chill so Liz and I could try one. Just cracked it and immediately noticed that there was actually carbonation! And when I poured it even some head! Whoa... much different experience than the Amber Ale, and really a product of the yeast.
How to describe the taste... honey is there and the carbonation really hits. Mouthfeel is complete, not overpowering. Scent is reminiscent of the early blow off tube smell, but nothing to worry about. Taste is friendly and floral, fresh buzzing aftertaste. A deeper color than the wit beers, which you'd expect and a good wheat taste as well. Overall very nice!
Even the most critical judge (Liz) was pleased.
Flash Taste - Wright Stuff
Finished at 1.09. Great color, bitter. Nice. Giving me a about a 5.8% ABV (OG = 1.054).After going back and forth on whether to keg or not I decided to just keg it. So this will be the first time kegging. I don't have a fridge, but the heck with it. Just means more pressure since the temp is higher.
Racking it into the keg couldn't have been easier. No problems there.
Took the beer thief to it to grab the SG and have a taste.... what a beer! This is easily the best so far. Just a divine taste, quite pleased.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
What... me worry?
It's fermenting fine, and nothing overly aggressive. The 6.5 gallon kept everything in place.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Wake Up!
The one thing I had failed to mention on the IPA was I didn't get the smack pack right. So overall I'm 1 out of 3 on the smacks. Of course I cut the outer package and carefully cut the inner package then shook the heck out of it before I emptied into the carboy.
I'm using the 6.5 gallon since I figure this will be a pretty violent fermentation and I'm trying to prevent having to use the blow off tube again. But what I didn't expect was nothing's really going on. Hope I didn't screw it up, but would have expected it to start fermenting pretty heavily and then tomorrow morning really give me a good look at what's going on.
Nothing really so far, a few bubbles but not like the Pale Ale. We'll see. -
I'm using the 6.5 gallon since I figure this will be a pretty violent fermentation and I'm trying to prevent having to use the blow off tube again. But what I didn't expect was nothing's really going on. Hope I didn't screw it up, but would have expected it to start fermenting pretty heavily and then tomorrow morning really give me a good look at what's going on.
Nothing really so far, a few bubbles but not like the Pale Ale. We'll see. -
Monday, June 1, 2009
Charlie's Secret IPA
So my Uncle Charlie was kind enough to package up all the ingredients to his secret IPA recipe. Of course as fate would have it I was looking for an IPA to brew so couldn't have come at a better time. And tonight I was determined to get it going.
7:05 pm
water is on, 3 gallons up
7:11 pm
Grains are in, I set the burner on low to slowly get the grains to 160 instead of shooting them up there.
7:44 pm
Still waiting, up to 100F
8:30 pm
Great grains... it's all done and squeezed the sack to get more out of it.
8:46 pm
All the malt extract is, back to a boil, then throw the hops in
9:08 pm
Still waiting for boil...
9:15 pm
Finally, now we begin.
9:25 pm
About the only thing different this time is I'm going to boil with the lid on. Seems to make a much more violent boil as you'd expect. Hopefully the end result is better. I could boil without the lid on and let it roll. Not sure which is best or if it even matters.
9:45 pm
My only alteration to the secret recipe is to put in some Irish Moss. I'm a huge fan after what it did to the Pale Ale so throwing them in here.
10:05 pm
All done, now it's time to chill in the basement.
10:28 pm
Basically all chilled, temp's reading high 80s, when I add it to the other 2 gallons should come down nicely.
10:48 pm
Trying to strain the wort into the carboy, is taking forever. Clogging up the strainer ever 2 minutes then I have to spoon it through. What a pain.
11:05 pm
All done. What a pain!
11:36 pm
Finally done, cleaning and all. Right now it's looking like a nice OG of 1.057.
Hope I didn't screw anything up.
7:05 pm
water is on, 3 gallons up
7:11 pm
Grains are in, I set the burner on low to slowly get the grains to 160 instead of shooting them up there.
7:44 pm
Still waiting, up to 100F
8:30 pm
Great grains... it's all done and squeezed the sack to get more out of it.
8:46 pm
All the malt extract is, back to a boil, then throw the hops in
9:08 pm
Still waiting for boil...
9:15 pm
Finally, now we begin.
9:25 pm
About the only thing different this time is I'm going to boil with the lid on. Seems to make a much more violent boil as you'd expect. Hopefully the end result is better. I could boil without the lid on and let it roll. Not sure which is best or if it even matters.
9:45 pm
My only alteration to the secret recipe is to put in some Irish Moss. I'm a huge fan after what it did to the Pale Ale so throwing them in here.
10:05 pm
All done, now it's time to chill in the basement.
10:28 pm
Basically all chilled, temp's reading high 80s, when I add it to the other 2 gallons should come down nicely.
10:48 pm
Trying to strain the wort into the carboy, is taking forever. Clogging up the strainer ever 2 minutes then I have to spoon it through. What a pain.
11:05 pm
All done. What a pain!
11:36 pm
Finally done, cleaning and all. Right now it's looking like a nice OG of 1.057.
Hope I didn't screw anything up.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Other Wheats
woody's wheat - sand creek
very light color, though not clear- hazy wheat. smells almost just like mine, though a bit more citrusy. explosive carbonation - very easy drinking lite wheat beer. very light taste, clear water and citrus feel
william jones el toro brewing wheat beer
- very clear, darker than woody's
- more wheat taste, not as citrusy. subdued flavor. scent is like the grain sack for my wheat. great smell. very good.
white rascal belgian style wheat ale
- light color, not as clear. looks alot like the woody's. not as citrusy, but still there. smooth wheat, wit beer. truly a home brew - ingredient list "malted barley, imported belgian malted wheat, imported czech saaz hops, coriander, curacao orange peel and belgian yeast.
woody creek white - belgian wit beer
- very cloudy, light like the other two. scent is more wheaty and citrus. similar profile as the other 2.
if i had to chose a winner I really liked the el toro. tasted like a wheat, quite nice.
very light color, though not clear- hazy wheat. smells almost just like mine, though a bit more citrusy. explosive carbonation - very easy drinking lite wheat beer. very light taste, clear water and citrus feel
william jones el toro brewing wheat beer
- very clear, darker than woody's
- more wheat taste, not as citrusy. subdued flavor. scent is like the grain sack for my wheat. great smell. very good.
white rascal belgian style wheat ale
- light color, not as clear. looks alot like the woody's. not as citrusy, but still there. smooth wheat, wit beer. truly a home brew - ingredient list "malted barley, imported belgian malted wheat, imported czech saaz hops, coriander, curacao orange peel and belgian yeast.
woody creek white - belgian wit beer
- very cloudy, light like the other two. scent is more wheaty and citrus. similar profile as the other 2.
if i had to chose a winner I really liked the el toro. tasted like a wheat, quite nice.
Racking Wright
Racked to secondary. looks pretty good. tastes nice and somewhat hoppy, not as much as i would have thought. put the dry hops in, should have had some marbles because it's floating. we'll see. went pretty smoothly.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Wright Fermenting
Now it's going - fermenting nicely and really giving off a great hop smell. I just hope I don't have to do another quick changeout to the blowoff tube. Will be monitoring.
Noticed also that the stuff on the bottom is now moving all around. Pretty amazing stuff. The inside of the carboy is moving wildly with huge chunks of goodies all over. Has to be the Irish Moss right?
Friday, May 22, 2009
Not so bad
8:53 pmSG still about 1.019.... but MAN does this taste good. nice carbonation. still quite sweet but carbonation hides it. really quite good. :) good foam, etc...
it's funny, you can taste what was before, the sweet,not fully fermented ale. but it's somewhat hidden by this other fermentation. great mouth feel, could be more but that's the perfectionist talking. funny that's it's truly been 6 weeks.
Flash Taste - Honey Wheat
6:30 pm
really seems like it's crawling. its just under 1.01, maybe 1.009 but not by much. thinking its done, should bottle tonight.
11:00 pm
first taste. very nice. sweet but hoppy and fermented enough. troubles with a few screw on bottles and should have cleaned the bottles before starting. otherwise it was good.
taste - sweet and bitter, but leaves a pleasant aftertaste. and you can tell it's been fermenting for a while. really think that after adding the priming sugar and letting it develop will be truly great. somewhat funny smell, same smell as primary fermentation with the blowoff tube.
really seems like it's crawling. its just under 1.01, maybe 1.009 but not by much. thinking its done, should bottle tonight.
11:00 pm
first taste. very nice. sweet but hoppy and fermented enough. troubles with a few screw on bottles and should have cleaned the bottles before starting. otherwise it was good.
taste - sweet and bitter, but leaves a pleasant aftertaste. and you can tell it's been fermenting for a while. really think that after adding the priming sugar and letting it develop will be truly great. somewhat funny smell, same smell as primary fermentation with the blowoff tube.
Wright Stuff American Pale
6:38 pm
It begins - decided to do a pale ale. Had just got done with the honey wheat so wanted something with a little more hops to it.
http://www.wyeastlab.com/hb_yeaststrain_detail.cfm?ID=5
6:57 pm
12 quarts
8 full pitchers = 12 quarts
2 gallons left for carboy
7:06 pm
New thermometer from the parents tonight. Fill it up to 3 gallons even though the recipe calls for 2. Shouldn't make much difference and it probably overall better anyway. Think i'll use the 6 gallon carboy so i know where to fill to.
7:33 pm
Up to about 145F, thermo works great with 3 gallons.
8:00 pm
Grains done, noticed the temps differed from new thermo to digital thermo... hmmm, it's about a 5F lag. Will have to keep an eye on it.
Anyway the extract is in, hops are in, time to bring to a boil for 50 minutes.
8:18 pm
still waiting for boil
8:28 pm
about 200f.. next time after the grains then take thermo out and just let it get to boil with lid on fully. don;t really need thermo until cooling.
9:04 pm
16 minutes left, putting in the Irish moss
9:10 pm
10 minutes left, throwing the rest of the hops
9:20 pm
Boil done waiting for 190 for the honey.
11:42 pm
Tastes good, but a bunch o stuff on the bottom
12:02 pm
whew - finally done!
not sure about the buildup on the bottom. appears to be the carryover from the hops. og = 1.054
It begins - decided to do a pale ale. Had just got done with the honey wheat so wanted something with a little more hops to it.
http://www.wyeastlab.com/hb_yeaststrain_detail.cfm?ID=5
6:57 pm
12 quarts
8 full pitchers = 12 quarts
2 gallons left for carboy
7:06 pm
New thermometer from the parents tonight. Fill it up to 3 gallons even though the recipe calls for 2. Shouldn't make much difference and it probably overall better anyway. Think i'll use the 6 gallon carboy so i know where to fill to.
7:33 pm
Up to about 145F, thermo works great with 3 gallons.
8:00 pm
Grains done, noticed the temps differed from new thermo to digital thermo... hmmm, it's about a 5F lag. Will have to keep an eye on it.
Anyway the extract is in, hops are in, time to bring to a boil for 50 minutes.
8:18 pm
still waiting for boil
8:28 pm
about 200f.. next time after the grains then take thermo out and just let it get to boil with lid on fully. don;t really need thermo until cooling.
9:04 pm
16 minutes left, putting in the Irish moss
9:10 pm
10 minutes left, throwing the rest of the hops
9:20 pm
Boil done waiting for 190 for the honey.
11:42 pm
Tastes good, but a bunch o stuff on the bottom
12:02 pm
whew - finally done!
not sure about the buildup on the bottom. appears to be the carryover from the hops. og = 1.054
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
6:57 pm
going to rack to secondary.. could let it sit more but I want to transfer it. sg is about 1.018.. 4.9% ABV :)
Blowoff tube about every 8 seconds now.
8:01 pm
done racking, had a sample, good taste, but you can tell it has a ways to go still. some off flavors but that should be taken care of in a few weeks. beer is quite cloudy, but still good. definitely has better mouth feel than the badger amber. noticed that when racking there was a lot of yeast still on the sides of the carboy. probably could have let it sit in the primary for a few more days. the air lock is bubbling away. now cleanup time.
8:39 pm
all done
Interesting to note, that the airlock bubbles happen about 45 seconds apart, versus the blowpoff hose, which was about 8 seconds. it has to do with the holes in the top of the airlock but interesting to note.
10:20 pm
fermentation definitely on... bubbles sitting on top of the brew. perfect. bubbles about 6 seconds apart. temp went from 66 since transfer to 68 with the space heater.
10:57pm
bubbles a go go. airlock about every 5 secs now.
11:33pm
1.016 about
going to rack to secondary.. could let it sit more but I want to transfer it. sg is about 1.018.. 4.9% ABV :)
Blowoff tube about every 8 seconds now.
8:01 pm
done racking, had a sample, good taste, but you can tell it has a ways to go still. some off flavors but that should be taken care of in a few weeks. beer is quite cloudy, but still good. definitely has better mouth feel than the badger amber. noticed that when racking there was a lot of yeast still on the sides of the carboy. probably could have let it sit in the primary for a few more days. the air lock is bubbling away. now cleanup time.
8:39 pm
all done
Interesting to note, that the airlock bubbles happen about 45 seconds apart, versus the blowpoff hose, which was about 8 seconds. it has to do with the holes in the top of the airlock but interesting to note.
10:20 pm
fermentation definitely on... bubbles sitting on top of the brew. perfect. bubbles about 6 seconds apart. temp went from 66 since transfer to 68 with the space heater.
10:57pm
bubbles a go go. airlock about every 5 secs now.
11:33pm
1.016 about
Monday, May 11, 2009
Honey Going
8:15 pm
cleaned the sludge/krausen from the top of the hydrometer. looking like 1.025 = 3.9% ABV, very nice...
drew was over, went through the whole setup with him. primary is still fermenting through the blow off tube. rate of about bubble per 3 seconds. was a little cold downstairs though, about 64F, fermenter still said about 68F. So turned the heater on, will see for how long
cleaned the sludge/krausen from the top of the hydrometer. looking like 1.025 = 3.9% ABV, very nice...
drew was over, went through the whole setup with him. primary is still fermenting through the blow off tube. rate of about bubble per 3 seconds. was a little cold downstairs though, about 64F, fermenter still said about 68F. So turned the heater on, will see for how long
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Honey's Going
9:30 amwell into the fermenatation. lots of activity. Temps steady at about 68F with the heater on throughout the night
7:09 pm
whoa, really fermenting now... maybe i should have used the 6.5 gallon.
9:33 pm
hmm, now i'm worried. the krausen is getting close to the airlock.
11:10 pm
had it, too much foam and was worried about it blowing of the top. So I swapped the airlock with the blowoff tube and the bottling bucket. first sanitized the tube with bleach and ran hot water through it. then filled the bottling bucket. did a quick swap - was thinking the airlock would blow off as i released the pressure but it didn't, thank goodness. shoved the tube in, gave it a good push and it seems to be working. bubbles blowing quite regularly into the bucket.
Happy Mother's Day
Mothers day surprise, had given mom one of the beers from the Amber Ale case and it tasted a lot better than the others before it. more zest and not so flat. conditioned nicely.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Honey Wheat
6:40 pm
grain sack bag... too small to wrap on lid. thought it would float. nope.
thermometer is out. using the indoor/outdoor one.
7:14 pm
Got 'er going. about 9 minutes left with the grains. outside thermo didnt stand to 170, meat thermo did though.
7:30 pm
added malt extract & hops. waiting for boil. used green spatukla
7:48 pm
boil on
8:00 pm
am noticing a lot more agreesive boil with the lid, which should be good. using wyeast liquid activator - 3068 from 31MAR09.... some threads say to pre treat the yeast a few days before, well i dont have that liberty. so it was out of the refridge about 7:40 and I "smaked" it... didn't feel any activating pouch or anything though. will see. about 30 minutes more for the boil.
8:20 pm
still no activity from the yeast. not sure about it. ah well. the boil is on, smells great.
8:30 pm
added first bump (.5 oz) of the cascade pellet hops, boil for another 12 minutes
8:35 pm
while that was on i filled the carboy using the water from the fridge and the funnel. worked very well. hope the water is good, took about 5 minutes to fill to 3 3/4 gallons. temp was about 57F
8:42 pm
2nd bump of hops, boil for another 3 minutes, during this time i setup the basement. brought the hydrometer, funnel, carboy, ice holder, and airlock down and set it on the washer. excellent setup.... need to remember this for next time.
8:45 pm
done with the hops, now need to cool to under 190F... which turned into a Celsius reading cause the thermo went nuts. 190 is roughly 87.7C. So got to there then added the honey.
8:55 pm
finally.. now adding the honey.
9:00 pm
all set, brought the wort down and put it next to the washer, added the ice and water and away we go, let's chill.
9:18 pm
chilled to about 90ish... depending where the thermo reads. very fast, very pleased.
9:20 pm
transferred chilled wort to the carboy using the funnel. then shook the carboy for a good minute or so WITH THE THIEF IN - this helped reduce the splashing alot. maybe shook for more than a minute. lots of bubbles. one thing is i didn't dump all the hops into the mix this time, left about 1/4 of it out, maybe more. will see. big thing this time was aeration.
Added the airlock... whoops, forgot to fill the hydrometer. airlock out, thief in, filled the hrydo.
9:25 pm
laid the dwarves down this time so the carboy rested on it. try to trap some of the warmth, temps are looking like 62F.
9:30 pm
all done (except for cleaning)
9:44 pm
typing it all up.
og looking like 1.056 (oh please, oh please ferment!)
9:50 pm
looks cold downstairs, should i heater it or xmas lights... ?
10:10 pm
done
12:30 am
looks like a little starting
grain sack bag... too small to wrap on lid. thought it would float. nope.
thermometer is out. using the indoor/outdoor one.
7:14 pm
Got 'er going. about 9 minutes left with the grains. outside thermo didnt stand to 170, meat thermo did though.
7:30 pm
added malt extract & hops. waiting for boil. used green spatukla
7:48 pm
boil on
8:00 pm
am noticing a lot more agreesive boil with the lid, which should be good. using wyeast liquid activator - 3068 from 31MAR09.... some threads say to pre treat the yeast a few days before, well i dont have that liberty. so it was out of the refridge about 7:40 and I "smaked" it... didn't feel any activating pouch or anything though. will see. about 30 minutes more for the boil.
8:20 pm
still no activity from the yeast. not sure about it. ah well. the boil is on, smells great.
8:30 pm
added first bump (.5 oz) of the cascade pellet hops, boil for another 12 minutes
8:35 pm
while that was on i filled the carboy using the water from the fridge and the funnel. worked very well. hope the water is good, took about 5 minutes to fill to 3 3/4 gallons. temp was about 57F
8:42 pm
2nd bump of hops, boil for another 3 minutes, during this time i setup the basement. brought the hydrometer, funnel, carboy, ice holder, and airlock down and set it on the washer. excellent setup.... need to remember this for next time.
8:45 pm
done with the hops, now need to cool to under 190F... which turned into a Celsius reading cause the thermo went nuts. 190 is roughly 87.7C. So got to there then added the honey.
8:55 pm
finally.. now adding the honey.
9:00 pm
all set, brought the wort down and put it next to the washer, added the ice and water and away we go, let's chill.
9:18 pm
chilled to about 90ish... depending where the thermo reads. very fast, very pleased.
9:20 pm
transferred chilled wort to the carboy using the funnel. then shook the carboy for a good minute or so WITH THE THIEF IN - this helped reduce the splashing alot. maybe shook for more than a minute. lots of bubbles. one thing is i didn't dump all the hops into the mix this time, left about 1/4 of it out, maybe more. will see. big thing this time was aeration.
Added the airlock... whoops, forgot to fill the hydrometer. airlock out, thief in, filled the hrydo.
9:25 pm
laid the dwarves down this time so the carboy rested on it. try to trap some of the warmth, temps are looking like 62F.
9:30 pm
all done (except for cleaning)
9:44 pm
typing it all up.
og looking like 1.056 (oh please, oh please ferment!)
9:50 pm
looks cold downstairs, should i heater it or xmas lights... ?
10:10 pm
done
12:30 am
looks like a little starting
Monday, April 20, 2009
Anything?
7:30 pm
Nothing. SG hasn't even moved. I've determined it must be an aeration problem but as the internet sites warn me this is bad after fermentation has occurred. Shook the carboy hoping would get something, all i got was a bunch of foam and beer in the airlock. Decided to shake it good for about a minute then do the beer thief and let er rest.
After some more reading this site says if SG is around 1.02 or below, tough love. http://www.bodensatz.com/staticpages/index.php?page=Fermentation-FAQ#stuck_ferm
10:30 pm
OK, shook the heck out of it, thought the top was going to blow off but it didn't. Filled the hydrometer again and cleansed the airlock. Will let it sit and see. There was a mass of bubbles covering the very top of the beer, seems to be steady, will see what happens. I think the whole cause of this is either the cool temps, or too little aeration in the wort. Thinking if nothing happens then going to bottle.
Nothing. SG hasn't even moved. I've determined it must be an aeration problem but as the internet sites warn me this is bad after fermentation has occurred. Shook the carboy hoping would get something, all i got was a bunch of foam and beer in the airlock. Decided to shake it good for about a minute then do the beer thief and let er rest.
After some more reading this site says if SG is around 1.02 or below, tough love. http://www.bodensatz.com/staticpages/index.php?page=Fermentation-FAQ#stuck_ferm
10:30 pm
OK, shook the heck out of it, thought the top was going to blow off but it didn't. Filled the hydrometer again and cleansed the airlock. Will let it sit and see. There was a mass of bubbles covering the very top of the beer, seems to be steady, will see what happens. I think the whole cause of this is either the cool temps, or too little aeration in the wort. Thinking if nothing happens then going to bottle.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Stuck Fermentation?
8:00 pm
Still no movement in sg, had enough. going to pitch new yeast. surprisingly though i tasted the hydrometer and it tasted good! But the abv would be way too low.
after i pitched new yeast i swirled the beer thief a bit to mix everything in. got some initial bubbles but now it's doing nothing, again. the bubbles may have been due to the aeration? Maybe. will see what goes on.
Still no movement in sg, had enough. going to pitch new yeast. surprisingly though i tasted the hydrometer and it tasted good! But the abv would be way too low.
after i pitched new yeast i swirled the beer thief a bit to mix everything in. got some initial bubbles but now it's doing nothing, again. the bubbles may have been due to the aeration? Maybe. will see what goes on.
Still going?
10:00 pm
Bubbles have slowed alot, the hydrometer is still about 1.018 but moving towards 1.017/6... did a lookup and ideally the sg would be to 1.004 for a 5% ABV. hmm. im tempted to repitch it but read a couple good threads saying not to. so i'm sitting tight. might not be ready for CL but am still hoping it's fermenting. it's been a week, but still progress.
Bubbles have slowed alot, the hydrometer is still about 1.018 but moving towards 1.017/6... did a lookup and ideally the sg would be to 1.004 for a 5% ABV. hmm. im tempted to repitch it but read a couple good threads saying not to. so i'm sitting tight. might not be ready for CL but am still hoping it's fermenting. it's been a week, but still progress.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
2nd Stage
7:00 pm
hmmm.. looks like it's a stalled fermentation, not sure. some minor fermentation on the top but nothing really active. took the blanket off the carboy thinking it might get more heat that way. temp was sitting around 62.. thought it'd be way more. Read online and i'm not going to worry too much. may need to pitch more yeast as it hasn't moved too much, but it is looking like 1.018, so there is hope. could be newbie blues. will wait and see what happens tomorrow.
10:14pm
temp about 66,
10:20pm
:) as soon as i write the 10:14 i'm seeing the airlock bubble through. think that the yeast was dormant, there is hope!
11:40 pm
bubbles seem to clip at about 1 minute per pop
hmmm.. looks like it's a stalled fermentation, not sure. some minor fermentation on the top but nothing really active. took the blanket off the carboy thinking it might get more heat that way. temp was sitting around 62.. thought it'd be way more. Read online and i'm not going to worry too much. may need to pitch more yeast as it hasn't moved too much, but it is looking like 1.018, so there is hope. could be newbie blues. will wait and see what happens tomorrow.
10:14pm
temp about 66,
10:20pm
:) as soon as i write the 10:14 i'm seeing the airlock bubble through. think that the yeast was dormant, there is hope!
11:40 pm
bubbles seem to clip at about 1 minute per pop
Monday, April 13, 2009
First Rack
6:40 pm
racking day, i looked at the temp and it was at 55F! huh? hope everything's alright. spent a fair bit of time figuring out how to rack. easiest way was to fill up the tube all the way with watch from the fridge.
everything was really messy. water everywhere. but i did get it racked. used the side table from the living room.
a couple of things.. need an autosiphon and something to prevent the bad stuff from getting in. cockblock or something.
think im going to leave the batch in the kitchen so as to keep it warm.
8:10 pm
done by 8:10pm, but could have been a lot sooner minus the racking issues.
i did taste it, certainly not carbonated yet, and a little bland, but seems ok. hoping for the best.
sg looks like 1.019
racking day, i looked at the temp and it was at 55F! huh? hope everything's alright. spent a fair bit of time figuring out how to rack. easiest way was to fill up the tube all the way with watch from the fridge.
everything was really messy. water everywhere. but i did get it racked. used the side table from the living room.
a couple of things.. need an autosiphon and something to prevent the bad stuff from getting in. cockblock or something.
think im going to leave the batch in the kitchen so as to keep it warm.
8:10 pm
done by 8:10pm, but could have been a lot sooner minus the racking issues.
i did taste it, certainly not carbonated yet, and a little bland, but seems ok. hoping for the best.
sg looks like 1.019
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Is it done yet?
8:30 pm
looked like fermentation is over.... bubbles and foam pretty much gone. sort of dark.
looked like fermentation is over.... bubbles and foam pretty much gone. sort of dark.
Friday, April 10, 2009
T+1 Badger Amber Ale
7:50 am
lots of fermentation, seems to be very active
11:50 pm
still lots of fermentation.. everything is moving around inside. very interesting. sg has dropped, but cant tell due to all the goo. temp at 68F
lots of fermentation, seems to be very active
11:50 pm
still lots of fermentation.. everything is moving around inside. very interesting. sg has dropped, but cant tell due to all the goo. temp at 68F
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Badger Amber Ale - First Beer
7:45 pm
Started the water - took measuring cup and filled from fridge, needed 6 quarts to boil. Put malt in sink in warm water to try and loosen it up. while waiting for the boil i sanitized 1 oz of easy clean with the 6 gallon carboy and started 2nd pot for boiled sanitzed water
8:19 pm
why did I mark this time... no idea
8:26 pm
Finally water is boiling, to boil, took about 30 minutes to get to boil using back of pizza pan, still waiting for the lid from Ryan.
9:30 pm
i think i started yeast too early, i should have waited until the cooling the wort to start it, ah well. cooling the wort takes some time but still works ok in the right ride of the sink. just fill it full of ice and let it chill. if i would have started it in the right side i probably would have been ok.
9:40 pm
themometer looks like the wort's at about 78F, so going to transfer. after i transferred then i added the yeast. gave the whole thing a few good shakes. then applied the airlock and moved into the basement
9:45 pm
used the beer thief to fill the hydrometer. looks like... 1.042 sg
9:47 pm
all complete - wrapped it up with the 7 dwarfs.
Started the water - took measuring cup and filled from fridge, needed 6 quarts to boil. Put malt in sink in warm water to try and loosen it up. while waiting for the boil i sanitized 1 oz of easy clean with the 6 gallon carboy and started 2nd pot for boiled sanitzed water
8:19 pm
why did I mark this time... no idea
8:26 pm
Finally water is boiling, to boil, took about 30 minutes to get to boil using back of pizza pan, still waiting for the lid from Ryan.
9:30 pm
i think i started yeast too early, i should have waited until the cooling the wort to start it, ah well. cooling the wort takes some time but still works ok in the right ride of the sink. just fill it full of ice and let it chill. if i would have started it in the right side i probably would have been ok.
9:40 pm
themometer looks like the wort's at about 78F, so going to transfer. after i transferred then i added the yeast. gave the whole thing a few good shakes. then applied the airlock and moved into the basement
9:45 pm
used the beer thief to fill the hydrometer. looks like... 1.042 sg
9:47 pm
all complete - wrapped it up with the 7 dwarfs.
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