Brewcommune

I gave my homemade kegerator away a few years ago. Oh well! Looks like I'll have to save up and buy a new one. One more message for you, as a new brewer: If you think you're going to stick with the hobby, KEG, KEG, KEG ! Bottling sucks. It's the least enjoyable part of brewing, IMHO, and that INCLUD...

Yeah, my carboy doesn't look like there is much happening inside. I can move the carboy upstairs where it is a few degrees warmer but not much. Would that help the process or should I just leave it alone and retest it in a few days? Thank you, John I forgot that this was an extract brew so mash temp...

The temperature where the beer carboy is stored is at 67 degrees. The mash temp was around 165. Unfortunately, with all the excitement of brewing I forgot to create a log. +1 for what Marotte and Lars posted. You should be shooting for the teens and don't rush to bottle (you could wind up with bottl...

Lars, Thanks, I was planning on bottling once the two week date was up. OK, I'll check it again before Jan. 1st and bottle when the time is right. John Thank you, we bottle Jan 1 which will be the two week mark. I really do like the taste of my first batch of beer but again it's my first batch and I...

Thank you, we bottle Jan 1 which will be the two week mark. I really do like the taste of my first batch of beer but again it's my first batch and I do anticipate lots of mistakes. Thanks again and look forward to many more batches of beer, John ... 4 1/2 alcohol 8 gravity 29% sugar As for the taste...

Hi Dan, We just took a sample and as a beginner learns we did forget to take a sample before fermentation. That went down on our note book as don't forget next time. Not sure if it's too late but for what should have been our second sample read as: 4 1/2 alcohol 8 gravity 29% sugar As for the taste ...

Hi Dan, I do have a hydrometer and from what I understand is I take the top off the carboy siphon some of the beer out and with the sanitized hydrometer I take a few readings and record it? This is like learning an entire new language but with the end results being a pint of beer. Thanks again, John...

So my beer is just sitting there doing nothing. Well as far as what I can see. The other day there was so much action going on I thought I may have put too much yeast into it. The carboy was overflowing and now it settled down which is making me nervous. I tried to post a picture but can't for some ...

Thanks everyone for the advise and for letting me know about BeerSmith. I just signed up for it and feel a little overwhelmed but in a good way.

Perfect, thank you. I haven't used a pen or pencil in so long I don't think I know how to use one. John Also, check out Beersmith or Promash -- both are software utilities that can be used for tracking your brewing, creating (or logging) recipes, etc. I personally tried both and immediately found Be...

That's a great idea and when I get better I'll look into other books or magazines. Thanks for the heads up on the all grain recipe conversion. John There's a lot of great books out there, but I'd stick with Palmer and brew a few batches before doing a lot more reading. The best way to learn is by do...

Or my bank account for that matter.

John

JonGoku wrote:Welcome aboard John! Once you start brewing you never see beer in the same way again.

Cheers!

Derrin, Thanks, I have to say this is a lot of fun. I have my next recipe High Sierra Pale Ale along with the ingredients and all the equipment. I should be brewing another batch of beer this weekend. I'm almost done reading John J. Palmer "How to brew" are there any other suggestions on w...

I'm set up for extract brewing. Now that I know what the difference is I think it's best to learn the basics before diving into a more advanced brewing. Wow, I really thought I knew a lot about beer and come to realize I know nothing. John Are you set up for all-grain, or extract brewing? What kind ...

Last night I checked on my carboy and noticed that the airlock started to over flow. I spoke with Eric and bought from him a 5" of clear tubing which I sanitized and connected the airlock. The other end of the tube went into a sanitized bucket for overflow. Did I ruin my beer or am I still ok? ...