Home brewing thread anyone?

[djlew]

That looks great. You are brewing in a bag, does that stain out all the wort solids, or is there lots left causing all the trub?
It's hard for me to compare, as I was doing 5 gal batches and did the sparging ect with the brewzilla.

Thank you! So there's a chance that because I strained out the grains and just did the boil without the bag and used basic hop bags that it created a lot of trub. I have to imagine that with some better equipment and even straining before going into the primary would've helped me out!

Added the peaches and into the secondary. Took another gravity reading, 1.027. Got some different numbers with ABV calculators so need to plug into a generic formula and figure out. Looks like we are sitting at around 2% ABV right now. Maybe the peaches will bump that up a little bit and I hope so because it's a little low but will leave it for another week! I'll let it sit for a few more days, check flavor, give it another week maybe and then off to bottling to be ready for my annual camping trip I take with the family.

 

[Whitenuckler]

Thank you! So there's a chance that because I strained out the grains and just did the boil without the bag and used basic hop bags that it created a lot of trub. I have to imagine that with some better equipment and even straining before going into the primary would've helped me out!

Added the peaches and into the secondary. Took another gravity reading, 1.027. Got some different numbers with ABV calculators so need to plug into a generic formula and figure out. Looks like we are sitting at around 2% ABV right now. Maybe the peaches will bump that up a little bit and I hope so because it's a little low but will leave it for another week! I'll let it sit for a few more days, check flavor, give it another week maybe and then off to bottling to be ready for my annual camping trip I take with the family.

I have lots of equipment I'm not using, but it's all bulky, and in Canada. You will have a hard time calculating the %ABV as most assume that the sugars are dissolved, plus you need the final reading. I have some that show up at 27 down to 6, and the RAPT pill says 3%. Do you have a nice temperature controlled spot to ferment? I have mine in the basement with seedling heaters wrapping the buckets with Inkbird controllers set to 22C. The temperature is flat all the way through.

 

[djlew]

I have lots of equipment I'm not using, but it's all bulky, and in Canada. You will have a hard time calculating the %ABV as most assume that the sugars are dissolved, plus you need the final reading. I have some that show up at 27 down to 6, and the RAPT pill says 3%. Do you have a nice temperature controlled spot to ferment? I have mine in the basement with seedling heaters wrapping the buckets with Inkbird controllers set to 22C. The temperature is flat all the way through.

It's true, I am really just using a refractometer to get my numbers. I am fermenting in a dark, temp controlled closet at 70F. I will give it time and see if the final gravity shifts downward. I wouldn't even be mad at a low ABV but would want to know why!

 

[Whitenuckler]

It's true, I am really just using a refractometer to get my numbers. I am fermenting in a dark, temp controlled closet at 70F. I will give it time and see if the final gravity shifts downward. I wouldn't even be mad at a low ABV but would want to know why!

Excellent. I have one of those too, it seems to match pretty well. Maybe if it tastes a bit sweet, it might be a lower ABV, or if you don't see the peaches ferment. There should be more activity in your airlock and more sludge. My last basement go too hot, so I made a fridge out of 1 inch hard insulation board with a 12V solid state cooler. Also had the seedling matts in there in case it needed heat. I love this basement the highest I've seen is maybe 21C with no AC down there.

 

[djlew]

Brew is bottled and carbonating. Tried some of the uncarbonated beer and is really hoppy and peachy. Really happy with the result! Excited to try it cold and carbed. I think we hit around 4% ABV. Not mad at the lower ABV, but I think I ended up having a little stalled fermentation. Might try a different yeast next time. Once carbed and cold and verified decent I'd love to share the recipe!

 

[djlew]

Funny anecdote... Decided to try some of the homebrew early and cracked a bottle with the wife. HATED IT. She didn't think it was so bad. Family came over and was interested to try so I cracked another. They loved it. I said WTH and tried a bit. It was amazing. Must have gotten the trub in the bottle I tried. Needs to carb more obviously but I think it's a winner. I have a swing cap bottle to bring to the camping trip and a few hand capped bottles and those are what we tried. I'll give it another week and crack into it again but another lesson on racking and bottling properly!

 

[Whitenuckler]

Funny anecdote... Decided to try some of the homebrew early and cracked a bottle with the wife. HATED IT. She didn't think it was so bad. Family came over and was interested to try so I cracked another. They loved it. I said WTH and tried a bit. It was amazing. Must have gotten the trub in the bottle I tried. Needs to carb more obviously but I think it's a winner. I have a swing cap bottle to bring to the camping trip and a few hand capped bottles and those are what we tried. I'll give it another week and crack into it again but another lesson on racking and bottling properly!

That's weird? Usually they would be all the same. How do you carbonate for bottles? I boil water and add corn sugar, then add that to my 5 gallons. I do find some bottles seem to be more carbonated than others. I use swing tops on 750ml. They are great. All I need is a regular bar fridge and I can fit about 8. Right now I have two bar fridges on the go and there is no pop in them
I'm glad it was only that one that spoiled. Sounds like a great experiment.

 

[djlew]

That's weird? Usually they would be all the same. How do you carbonate for bottles? I boil water and add corn sugar, then add that to my 5 gallons. I do find some bottles seem to be more carbonated than others. I use swing tops on 750ml. They are great. All I need is a regular bar fridge and I can fit about 8. Right now I have two bar fridges on the go and there is no pop in them
I'm glad it was only that one that spoiled. Sounds like a great experiment.

It was weird! I carb with Hoopers carbonation drops. One for each 12oz bottle and two for the swing tops. Wonder if it didn't dissolve properly yet, usually says to wait 2 weeks. Just glad they all didn't taste like that! LOL

 

[kborndale]

Bottling was what I hated most about home-brewing. Very messy and you only get one shot at getting the carbonation correct. I invested in a kegging setup with the 5 gallon soda kegs and it made life so much easier. Pour a 5 gallon batch into a keg and let it sit for a few days. If it is under carbed turn the CO2 up or down if overcarbed. Very convenient and I vowed to never bottle again. If you want to bring some with you just fill some growlers. Put the kegs in a chest freezer and I used a Ranco temperature controller to set the temp.

 

[Whitenuckler]

Bottling was what I hated most about home-brewing. Very messy and you only get one shot at getting the carbonation correct. I invested in a kegging setup with the 5 gallon soda kegs and it made life so much easier. Pour a 5 gallon batch into a keg and let it sit for a few days. If it is under carbed turn the CO2 up or down if overcarbed. Very convenient and I vowed to never bottle again. If you want to bring some with you just fill some growlers. Put the kegs in a chest freezer and I used a Ranco temperature controller to set the temp.

It is certainly not fun. I tried to make it easier on myself by getting 750ml swing caps. My carbonation is always the same as I add 150g to each batch which is always exactly 32 bottles. I would say I can be done bottling in under 2 hours start to finish including cleaning everything. I am saving time on the front end by making kits. I can get a batch going just in my spare time and no cleanup.
I can have the beer clear in under 3 days as I have a tent with a heater in it and it stays at about 26C.
One problem with my bottles is that they get heavy when I take them to the beach. I had to get a cart to haul everything.
It's lighter on the turn trip though, although even an empty 750ml bottle has some weight.
I would probably trade my Brewzilla setup for a CO2 system, but I usually don't get rid of anything once I get it "just in case"
I could certainly get a small freezer. I use the wifi Inkbird controllers which have heat/cool.
Edit - just thought of something based on your message. I should get some plastic beer bottles and do half and half in the summer.
That would be cheap and knock the weight down quite a bit.

 

[djlew]

Agreed with bottling. The swing caps have been a lifesaver in comparison. I do like the convenience of the carb drops and they work really well in my experience. I've done the corn sugar method and that worked too but just some extra steps with having to create the solution.

Getting a small corny keg is in my future. I think this batch might be the batch I go for a full 5 gallon brew next time so I don't waste any. Something about kegging intimidates me. I have seen a lot of resources online but it's hard to teach someone who knows nothing about kegging with a brain that does it all the time. I'd love to learn some tips and tricks and kind of where to start with my first keg of a 5 gallon brew. The only thing I've tried is one of those little 1 gallon "mini kegs" with a tap system attached. It works well to freshen up beer but didn't have a lot of success force carbing a homebrew. Live and learn!

 

[Whitenuckler]

Agreed with bottling. The swing caps have been a lifesaver in comparison. I do like the convenience of the carb drops and they work really well in my experience. I've done the corn sugar method and that worked too but just some extra steps with having to create the solution.

Getting a small corny keg is in my future. I think this batch might be the batch I go for a full 5 gallon brew next time so I don't waste any. Something about kegging intimidates me. I have seen a lot of resources online but it's hard to teach someone who knows nothing about kegging with a brain that does it all the time. I'd love to learn some tips and tricks and kind of where to start with my first keg of a 5 gallon brew. The only thing I've tried is one of those little 1 gallon "mini kegs" with a tap system attached. It works well to freshen up beer but didn't have a lot of success force carbing a homebrew. Live and learn!

Yes I really like the swing tops. I was actually afraid of using a capper. There is more chance of making a mistake and having the bottle tip over. If I remember they have two handles so the bottle is free. I believe there are better cappers but I decided to pay more up front for big bottles and swing tops. I did some research on kegging and you have to buy CO2. I guess that's not a big deal. Then all the hoses regulators ect. Plus I believe there are many options now for the type of keg. Then a "special" large capacity "fridge". The proper fridge for a keg is very expensive so like the poster said you have to make your own. I think I will just get some plastic bottles until I win the lottery.

 

[kborndale]

A 5lb co2 tank costs around 40 bucks and costs me $15 to fill. A full tank lasts 7-10 kegs.

 

[djlew]

Yes I really like the swing tops. I was actually afraid of using a capper. There is more chance of making a mistake and having the bottle tip over. If I remember they have two handles so the bottle is free. I believe there are better cappers but I decided to pay more up front for big bottles and swing tops. I did some research on kegging and you have to buy CO2. I guess that's not a big deal. Then all the hoses regulators ect. Plus I believe there are many options now for the type of keg. Then a "special" large capacity "fridge". The proper fridge for a keg is very expensive so like the poster said you have to make your own. I think I will just get some plastic bottles until I win the lottery.

Yeah, my mini keg uses the really small cheap CO2 canisters and I've even seem some adapters that allow you to use the soda stream ones? I don't even know if that's viable LOL. The swing tops have treated me well in the past. I have the two handle style capper and it does work fine but it's so much easier sanitizing half of the amount of equipment even if volume is the same. I'm lucky to have a full size beer fridge but still, might be tough to get a 5 gallon keg in there without modification.

All of the local homebrew stores closed near me. I'd have to travel out of state from the looks of it. The online retailer I use is usually really good and they have "keg starter kits" which is what I was going to go for. I'll have to watch a start to finish brew to keg video to get the idea. I'd love to hear any resources you folks have if you get any good information on the internet.

 

[kborndale]

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/

The people at homebrewtalk are just as helpful as the people here at hearth.

 

[djlew]

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/

The people at homebrewtalk are just as helpful as the people here at hearth.

Thank you! I'll give that a look.

 

[djlew]

Funny enough, I didn't try the beer on the camping trip but did try it the day before we left and I do think it's a winner! Definitely didn't carb as much as I would like, but the flavor is really good. I used Willamette hops, but I think next time I'd use something like a Mittlefruh to get maybe a little more bite that I'm used to in the beers I try to clone. I used a little honey malt as a specialty grain to bring a hopefully different mouthfeel and body. Not sure if it did, but overall the peach flavor came out really nice. I might use this recipe with a different fruit, or maybe even throw in some peppers for a spicy/peachy wheat. I'm actually glad I didn't finish the swing top bottle, because I feel like it will age nicely while I make another small batch of something for Fall.

 

[Whitenuckler]

Funny enough, I didn't try the beer on the camping trip but did try it the day before we left and I do think it's a winner! Definitely didn't carb as much as I would like, but the flavor is really good. I used Willamette hops, but I think next time I'd use something like a Mittlefruh to get maybe a little more bite that I'm used to in the beers I try to clone. I used a little honey malt as a specialty grain to bring a hopefully different mouthfeel and body. Not sure if it did, but overall the peach flavor came out really nice. I might use this recipe with a different fruit, or maybe even throw in some peppers for a spicy/peachy wheat. I'm actually glad I didn't finish the swing top bottle, because I feel like it will age nicely while I make another small batch of something for Fall.

https://app.atlanticmobi.com/v2/preview/QSDzS3fxwCARb3wb2y2U

A store here carries these all in one beer kits. They are more expensive than what I can make with a lower end kit that
I have to add corn sugar too. He gave me sample of an IPA, and it was really good. They are $75 CAD. Too bad I can't loan
you my Brewzilla setup !

 

[djlew]

https://app.atlanticmobi.com/v2/preview/QSDzS3fxwCARb3wb2y2U

A store here carries these all in one beer kits. They are more expensive than what I can make with a lower end kit that
I have to add corn sugar too. He gave me sample of an IPA, and it was really good. They are $75 CAD. Too bad I can't loan
you my Brewzilla setup !

That's neat! I see a lot of Cascade hops, must be a really balanced hop to use. I've used those cheaper extract kits on Amazon and they were OK. I like being able to get creative and change things up. You can do it with a kit, but sometimes they are pretty dialed in. I will say, you all have inspired me to start Googling (and getting ads as a result) these all grain systems and kegging. Something to look forward to and save for!

 

[begreen]

I haven't done much brewing since my sons grew up and left home. We bottled a few cases a year of ales and ciders for about 5 yrs. and had it down to a science. We never had a cabonation failure, but did have one batch of Irish Red that I overcarbonated. It still produces a prodigious head. Our trick when bottling was to do it on the open dishwasher door with the carboy on the counter above. Any spillage went into the dishwasher. It worked pretty well as long as I had a helper but you had to watch him so he didn't drink the profits.

 

[djlew]

I like that idea! Bottling day ends up being a big laundry day for me because I just put a bunch of towels on the ground! 🤣

 

[Whitenuckler]

I haven't done much brewing since my sons grew up and left home. We bottled a few cases a year of ales and ciders for about 5 yrs. and had it down to a science. We never had a cabonation failure, but did have one batch of Irish Red that I overcarbonated. It still produces a prodigious head. Our trick when bottling was to do it on the open dishwasher door with the carboy on the counter above. Any spillage went into the dishwasher. It worked pretty well as long as I had a helper but you had to watch him so he didn't drink the profits.

View attachment 339887

Ha Ha! I love that picture. When I first arrived here in PEI I was not set up too well. I actually had to buy beer. Soon I got my "lab" setup. I already had everything I needed really it just took some setting up. I have one of those portable tables setup next to sort of a standup level work bench that was already there in my laundry room. So once the beer is ready I lift it about 10 inches or so on a very strong overbuilt screwed and glued "table" It is big enough forme and the beer. Then from there the next lift up to the workbench. Then one more lift from there to another "table" that sits on the workbench. That gives me enough rise to bottle on the portable table standing up.
I used a bottling wand with the valve in the bottom. I now don't spill a drop unless my mind wanders. I have a serving tray that is plastic in case of a spill that I fill each one with. What I need is either to start kegging or get a platform lift.

 

[begreen]

I like that idea! Bottling day ends up being a big laundry day for me because I just put a bunch of towels on the ground! 🤣

We had it down to a science with very little cleanup needed. I'd put the sterilized bottle upside down in the dishwasher on the plate holding tongs so he just needed to pick them. Once filled he would hand me the bottle to be capped.

 

[djlew]

Enjoying a peach wheat homebrew tonight... told my wife about your bottling method begreen and she said... "Well that's a good idea......." 😂