Recent content by jja

FiveStar replied to me and agreed that their tech sheet is confusing and that "Starsan should always be used according to the label which is 1 oz in 5 gallons of water", which is the ratios I described above. The real key though is the pH of the solution, which FiveStar confirmed should be...

I got mine the other day -- thanks for the little packet of hops. The box got a little crunked which dented the screen. I was able to gently squeeze it out to near perfect so it's probably not worth a return/exchange. Just thought I'd mention that the thin box and bubble wrap didn't hold up...

That's a "bit" more than the 1.5tsp in 5Q that I use based on FiveStar's original homebrew recommendations of 2 Tablespoons per 5 gallons which converts to 0.25 teaspoons StarSan in 3.333 Cups (~26 fl oz) water (1/4 tsp in 3 and 1/3 C). But FiveStar's current (2010) recommendation for parts...

Just happened to see this in the "new posts" list. Placed order 11998. Thanks!

At first I thought they didn't separate the malt and let it drop out in the fermenter since it's pulverized to <100um, but then I see that malt removal is mentioned a couple of times as occurring before hop addition. There is a variant process mentioned involving milling and separation via a...

I'm in, thanks

When (if) the aha site ever loads, it references the link I posted. I believe *all* registrations go through regonline, even if they're wrapped in the aha site skin. The direct link to regonline avoids the slow aha wrappings. disclaimer: I don't have the original aha site page available anymore...

ahaconference.org is slow direct link is: http://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1191982

And don't try to include early days either (Sat-Tue before). They were never really available. That may have confused some people earlier. Tue is a bummer for being ready for pre-conf tours.

In my few experiences with cacao nibs in--yes--mead, the fats or oils have not been a problem. Nibs seem to give a fuller less bitter chocolate flavor than powder and the fats are not noticeable like with chocolate. Use them in secondary at no more than 4oz nibs per 5G mead, after fermentation...

Everyone is saying to leave it alone. That is certainly the safest for the homebrewer from an infection standpoint, and the dark trub will settle out and not affect the beer. But it a real open ale fermentation, the vessel is usually sized to allow the high kraesen to slough off or overflow and...

That would be fine. Only 1/2 lb might not add much, just a little color and maltiness but you might not notice unless you had a side-by-side without it. As munich is a base malt, you'll want to steep it at about 150F for 30min to convert starches to sugars. If you added 1/4 lb of dehusked...

I have used TF oat malt. Contrary to above, the husk % is higher than barley so no worries lautering. IIRC it seemed like the kernel didn't fill the husk almost. I usually did 20% in stout or ESB, but also did 80% stouts and 100% oat wine, which was quite different. Not bad but not as sweet...

Jablestein- the IPAlers in Longmont are great (iirc they meet at Lefthand), and you're also welcome to join us Hop Barley and the Alers in Boulder on the 4th Tuesdays 7:00pm at Masonic Lodge, NW corner Pine & Broadway. http://hopbarley.org/ Usually style reviews are done with study groups for...

while what BigB said is good advice, there are some subtleties. If you get some cold break in your primary and never racked off it, then it would be a good idea to rack to secondary sooner. I rack at room temperature, so I find it easier to rack while the beer is still warm (the beer won't...