Home brewing thread anyone?

[EbS-P]

Wife had one of the brews the other day and really enjoyed it. I think I might tap into the last bottle tonight. I ordered some ingredients for a slightly different wheat beer with cranberries. Pilsner and wheat malt with some Citra hops and probably the rest of the Willamette I had from the peach wheat. Hopefully neutral US-05 yeast. My goal is a test run and then a larger batch for Thanksgiving. One of my favorite local breweries does a Cranberry Wheat so I am trying to get close to it. Maybe even some orange peel in the boil for depth.

Huge goal of mine is to eventually be able to use my homegrown fruit for these beers. Considering they are small batches, I am confident I could do a raspberry wheat (or any raspberry beer) next summer with my own Heritage berries which would be really cool. Still on the hunt for that fool proof recipe but I think I got close with the peach.

Anybody brew anything recently?

Real fruit is hard. It can be done. I went with flavor extracts. Why? It was simple. I could make a wheat batch and then flavor half of it. I don’t like fruit beers. I need a shirt that says “Don’t fruit my beer!” My wife in the other hand only drinks fruited beers.

 

[djlew]

Real fruit is hard. It can be done. I went with flavor extracts. Why? It was simple. I could make a wheat batch and then flavor half of it. I don’t like fruit beers. I need a shirt that says “Don’t fruit my beer!” My wife in the other hand only drinks fruited beers.

Ha, I like that and I have heard that term before on some brew sites. I love fruited wheat beers. Not a big fan of sours though. A lot of my local breweries use real fruit in their wheat beers and I've had more success than failure with real fruit too. Some of my favorite local beers use flavor extracts, but mainly for things like blueberry and watermelon to get that familiar flavor that the real deal doesn't often give especially in beer. I did an extract brew from a kit and added some pureed raspberries to the secondary and it was my favorite brew I ever made. It tasted just like the Abita raspberry lager which is one of my favorites. Definitely trying to chase that high again all grain BIAB.

 

[kborndale]

Raspberry extract is pretty easy to make.

 

[djlew]

Absolutely, my wife makes extracts all the time and they are great. In fairness, pasteurizing and tossing a batch into the secondary is pretty easy too. 😁

 

[djlew]

Brew day was Sunday for the cranberry wheat, went smoothly and did a 2 gallon batch (split between two 1-gallon carboys). Miscalculated my efficiency and pre-boil strike water amount so had a lot of evaporation loss. Topped off with some water which may have put my OG a bit under. Before adding water to top off my OG was 1.052, a bit higher than I was aiming for. I'm sure it will still be delicious. What's the saying? Relax, don't worry, have a hombrew (RDWHAHB)...

The airlocks had activity when I woke up yesterday so I was pleased with that. Smelled amazing at flameout since I brewed with the orange zest. I am keeping one gallon plain to see if the orange comes through. The other I will actually make a cranberry tincture this time to try it out and even if it raises the ABV by a quarter percent if I undershot the ABV I will take it...

I'll give it 2 weeks in the primary to make sure fermentation is done and check gravity at that point. Not going to rush it this time. I'll add the tincture to the secondary and give it another 2 weeks before bottling. I got a good amount of ingredients this time so I can make more batches to have a flowing supply of homebrew.

 

[Whitenuckler]

Brew day was Sunday for the cranberry wheat, went smoothly and did a 2 gallon batch (split between two 1-gallon carboys). Miscalculated my efficiency and pre-boil strike water amount so had a lot of evaporation loss. Topped off with some water which may have put my OG a bit under. Before adding water to top off my OG was 1.052, a bit higher than I was aiming for. I'm sure it will still be delicious. What's the saying? Relax, don't worry, have a hombrew (RDWHAHB)...

The airlocks had activity when I woke up yesterday so I was pleased with that. Smelled amazing at flameout since I brewed with the orange zest. I am keeping one gallon plain to see if the orange comes through. The other I will actually make a cranberry tincture this time to try it out and even if it raises the ABV by a quarter percent if I undershot the ABV I will take it...

I'll give it 2 weeks in the primary to make sure fermentation is done and check gravity at that point. Not going to rush it this time. I'll add the tincture to the secondary and give it another 2 weeks before bottling. I got a good amount of ingredients this time so I can make more batches to have a flowing supply of homebrew.

That sounds great. I myself like hoppy ale. Here is what I am brewing now. I was really happy to pick up some kits on sale. The regular price has been climbing due to inflation and it almost $35 CAD now. I am using 850g of corn sugar and 150g for bottling. It calls for 1kg, but I'm happy with what I believe is just a bit over 4% ABV.

 

[djlew]

That sounds great. I myself like hoppy ale. Here is what I am brewing now. I was really happy to pick up some kits on sale. The regular price has been climbing due to inflation and it almost $35 CAD now. I am using 850g of corn sugar and 150g for bottling. It calls for 1kg, but I'm happy with what I believe is just a bit over 4% ABV.

Really nice score! I use the Coopers carb drops for bottling, they work great from my experience. Nothing wrong with dissolving corn sugar either just a tad bit more work.

 

[Whitenuckler]

Really nice score! I use the Coopers carb drops for bottling, they work great from my experience. Nothing wrong with dissolving corn sugar either just a tad bit more work.

I actually I find it's no problem and cuts down on costs. I always transfer to a bottling bucket anyway, and all I do is weigh out 150g, boil some water, mix it up and add to the full bucket. I remember in my learning days having little funnels and a tablespoon to prime each bottle ! I guess I was too cheap to get the tablets, then I got onto this method and it's great. The next step for me would be kegging, but it's a major step, and I should have started out that way in the beginning.

 

[djlew]

I actually I find it's no problem and cuts down on costs. I always transfer to a bottling bucket anyway, and all I do is weigh out 150g, boil some water, mix it up and add to the full bucket. I remember in my learning days having little funnels and a tablespoon to prime each bottle ! I guess I was too cheap to get the tablets, then I got onto this method and it's great. The next step for me would be kegging, but it's a major step, and I should have started out that way in the beginning.

That's how I've done it too, it works really well. I find the drops just give me so much consistency and little room for error that I am a full believer now lol. I agree though, I want to get into kegging next. Probably for the holidays. Still on the hunt for a fool proof recipe of delicious beer that would make kegging 5 gallons worthwhile. Learn something new every brew!

 

[Whitenuckler]

That's how I've done it too, it works really well. I find the drops just give me so much consistency and little room for error that I am a full believer now lol. I agree though, I want to get into kegging next. Probably for the holidays. Still on the hunt for a fool proof recipe of delicious beer that would make kegging 5 gallons worthwhile. Learn something new every brew!

Also since you are doing all-grain, you don't need corn sugar by the pound. I recently bought a new duct fan for my circulation loop between the basement and main floor. That frees up the fan I was using for my all grain brewing hood fan. I might try some all-grain just to get back into it. My on-line store has a selection of ready to ship kits. I've tried them before and it turns out good. The amount of work involved is probably 3 times and requires a lot of space. Cooling 5 gallons of hot wort down to 22C from 80C in 20 minutes is the difficult part. I can do it, but it's not easy.

 

[kborndale]

Cooling 5 gallons of hot wort down to 22C from 80C in 20 minutes is the difficult part. I can do it, but it's not easy.

I never had an issue using an immersion chiller. In the winter when my tap water temperature is lower I could do it in less than 15 minutes. That said even before I had the chiller and did the ice bath in the sink version it could take 30-45 min to get the temp down and I never had an issue because of that.

 

[EbS-P]

The next step for me would be kegging, but it's a major step,

Best step ever! Never having to wash a bottle ever again is amazing.

 

[Whitenuckler]

I never had an issue using an immersion chiller. In the winter when my tap water temperature is lower I could do it in less than 15 minutes. That said even before I had the chiller and did the ice bath in the sink version it could take 30-45 min to get the temp down and I never had an issue because of that.

I have the Brewzilla system (which is in storage). It comes with a stainless steel chiller coil and tap connections. I was hooking it up to my basement faucet and the return was going down the drain (city water/drain system). Yes I do remember that taking a long time and a lot of water. Then I bought another copper chilling coil that fits in a 5 gallon bucket. I operated the two in series. The water I used in my 5 gallon bucket came from a number of clamato containers that were in the fridge for a day so it was about 5C. Then I used less water and was quicker. There is a guy on Utube, some inventor phd type, and he has a big still. He bought a freezer and filled it halfway with water and then froze it as a source of cold.

 

[djlew]

I think it took me about 15-20 minutes to chill my wort with a small immersion chiller. It was only a 2 gallon batch (less really since my yield was lower). It does use a lot of water. I don't love it even though it works. I've tried the ice bath and it takes a lot longer or I need to get a TON of ice. I'll probably have to upgrade my chiller if I plan on moving to larger batches. I still need to watch more videos on kegging. Just reading tutorials makes it seem a bit more intimidating than it probably is - mainly carbing properly. I do have a one gallon pressurized growler with a tap that takes the small co2 cylinders. I wonder if I could practice on one of those without spoiling the beer.

 

[kborndale]

Carbing is the easy part, set it to 10#, if it's not carbed enough increase the pressure to 12# and check back tomorrow. Rinse and repeat. If carbed too much than do the opposite.

 

[djlew]

Carbing is the easy part, set it to 10#, if it's not carbed enough increase the pressure to 12# and check back tomorrow. Rinse and repeat. If carbed too much than do the opposite.

Out of curiosity, have you ever just transferred wort into a keg, kept it cold but let it sit for a while (weeks even months) before carbing? Even though I have looked into kegging, I still have a hard time wrapping my head around how exactly people or breweries use them. That would be a nice way to store beer for a while, then get the equipment to carb and tap later on.

 

[kborndale]

No, I just carb them as soon as they are ready. I've had 4 corny kegs in my chest all carbed and they lasted 6+ months and still tasted just fine. Carb it as soon as it's ready and it will last.

 

[djlew]

Awesome, that's good to hear. I'll probably take the keg plunge during the holidays. Maybe I'll try out the little pressurized growler too. I mainly think it's meant to top off carbonation of beer that maybe was already carbonated but would be a fun experiment to know what to expect. The regulator can go pretty high on it but the higher I go, I bet I would fly through those little cylinders. Maybe I will try and "keg carb" one of my 2 gallons and use the drops on the other and bottle.

By the way, loving the activity on the hombrew thread today! Between this and my garden I have my non-wood stove activities handled here on hearth.

 

[Whitenuckler]

I think it took me about 15-20 minutes to chill my wort with a small immersion chiller. It was only a 2 gallon batch (less really since my yield was lower). It does use a lot of water. I don't love it even though it works. I've tried the ice bath and it takes a lot longer or I need to get a TON of ice. I'll probably have to upgrade my chiller if I plan on moving to larger batches. I still need to watch more videos on kegging. Just reading tutorials makes it seem a bit more intimidating than it probably is - mainly carbing properly. I do have a one gallon pressurized growler with a tap that takes the small co2 cylinders. I wonder if I could practice on one of those without spoiling the beer.

I wonder if that would be a good starting point for me too. I have not problem getting it to the bottling stage now, so really I just skip the corn sugar and go right into "bottling" in those mini kegs. Then I guess some hoses/valves/regulators one for each? I would need 5 of them or could just start with 1 and bottle the rest as usual. I may go talk to my local brew guy. He has a good shop.

Also, I remember watching a utube video (as usual for me) of a guy in NZ, and I believe he had some container that he put his hot wort in overnight to cool down and then pitched the next day. It was airtight, so all he did was spray it down and transfer it into another fermentation vessel before he pitched. Risky, but if no other yeast can get in, it should be OK.

 

[kborndale]

Amazon.com: Homebrew Keg Kit Includes Everything to Get Started New 5 gallon keg 5lb CO2 Tank CO2 Regulator and Accessories: Beer Kegging Equipment: Home & Kitchen

Shop Beverage Elements at the Amazon Home Brewing & Wine Making store. Free Shipping on eligible items. Everyday low prices, save up to 50%.

www.amazon.com

This is all you need to get started minus the fridge or freezer. I use a chest freezer with a temperature controller.

 

[Whitenuckler]

Amazon.com: Homebrew Keg Kit Includes Everything to Get Started New 5 gallon keg 5lb CO2 Tank CO2 Regulator and Accessories: Beer Kegging Equipment: Home & Kitchen

Shop Beverage Elements at the Amazon Home Brewing & Wine Making store. Free Shipping on eligible items. Everyday low prices, save up to 50%.

www.amazon.com

This is all you need to get started minus the fridge or freezer. I use a chest freezer with a temperature controller.

I couldn't find that on amazon.ca but found this kit:

VEVOR Beer Kegerator, Dual Tap Home Draft Beer Dispenser for Ball Lock, Full Size Keg Refrigerator with 5lbs CO2 Tank, Hold 2 Sixth / 2 Slim / 3 Ball lock keg, 162L : Amazon.ca: Home

VEVOR Beer Kegerator, Dual Tap Home Draft Beer Dispenser for Ball Lock, Full Size Keg Refrigerator with 5lbs CO2 Tank, Hold 2 Sixth / 2 Slim / 3 Ball lock keg, 162L : Amazon.ca: Home

www.amazon.ca

The one plus for me trying smaller kegs is I might be able to fit them in the small fridges I use already. I could also bring a little keg with me in a cooler on a road trip.

 

[djlew]

Yeah, that's why I like this little 1 gallon guy, fits in the fridge nicely. Although, at least in my case, the jump from this 1 gallon thing to what I saw some keg sites call the "whole enchilada" with everything included for a 5 gallon keg is not that much. We are talking about 100 USD difference. Something to think about.

 

[Whitenuckler]

No, I just carb them as soon as they are ready. I've had 4 corny kegs in my chest all carbed and they lasted 6+ months and still tasted just fine. Carb it as soon as it's ready and it will last.

Oxebar Mono Keg 8l​

I was just looking at these little PET kegs. I could fit two in my mini fridge although I not 100% how high the tapping heads is.
I have never kegged before, so I wondering about the process.
After I have made my beer, would I fill 3 x 8l kegs and then just let them sit at room temperature to mature with a cap on?
Then after a week take one and put the tapping head on and get a CO2 tank and carbonate?
If I get it carbonated, can I then disconnect the CO2 and put it it my fridge overnight?
Then bring it out and put a "dispensing tap" on it and the CO2 again?
I gather unless I add a hole to the top of my fridge to run the liquid tube and CO2 in I would then disconnect the CO2
and put it back in the fridge. Probably not a good idea to plan it that way. Mini fridges are pretty cheap so I wouldn't mind modifing one.
The big issue appears to be the cost of the tapping head and other items. The keg itself is not that expensive. Just not sure if I can put the beer in them at room temp and leave them like that until I want to use it.
Thanks

 

[kborndale]

When my brew is finished fermenting I transfer it to the keg, put it in the chest freezer and hook up the CO2 which stays on until the keg is finished. I leave the CO2 tank in the chest freezer with the kegs. I would not want to take the keg in and out as you would lose all the CO2 in the lines when you disconnect it, and have to fill the lines back up when you reconnect. I also wouldn't want my beer to keep going thru temperature swings.

 

[Whitenuckler]

When my brew is finished fermenting I transfer it to the keg, put it in the chest freezer and hook up the CO2 which stays on until the keg is finished. I leave the CO2 tank in the chest freezer with the kegs. I would not want to take the keg in and out as you would lose all the CO2 in the lines when you disconnect it, and have to fill the lines back up when you reconnect. I also wouldn't want my beer to keep going thru temperature swings.

So there is no way I should plan on filling a mini keg, putting a cap on, and then letting it sit around until I'm ready to pressurize and refrigerate. I guess it would go stale. The only real difference to my bottling at this stage is that my bottles get pressurized (by fermentation) after I bottle. They sit around for weeks until I put some in the fridge to start drinking that batch.