Recent content by troysoy2

You could do secret option C: Replace the 20 minute spalt addition with a 15 minute simcoe addition, then dry hop with the 0.5oz of spalt. Granted, I've never dry hopped with spalt before, but it could be nice.

The first thing that comes to mind is a stir plate, assuming you don't already have one. But you could easily make a DIY one for cheap. I'm in a similar spot right now, and even though I (like yourself) don't mind bottling, I think my next step is going to be a kegging setup. If anything, for...

BeerSmith2 has a hop age tool which will estimate the alpha acids lost over time for different hop varieties. You can even specify the storage method and temperature. One of the options is for storage in "poly/plastic bags". Anyone know if BeerSmith offers an accurate estimate? Even so, I...

Nice! Thanks for the very detailed feedback, EyePeeA. Very appropriate username, by the way. Interesting that you would hold off on adding the bittering addition until 60 minutes, even with a 90 minute boil. I'll have to do some research on the subject. I hadn't thought about it making much...

Hello fellow HomeBrew Talkers, I'm getting ready for a move from Pittsburgh to Seattle at the end of May, and I figured I may as well go out with a bang -- you know, give my friends something to remember me by or whatever. I figure, what better style to brew than a double IPA? I recently...

Food service industry: I can haul off a ton of ice whenever I need it. Makes for quick cooling times on the brew day. Yep, that's about it. I get to eat smoked salmon whenever I want, too, I suppose. Mmm.

My only advice is that your grain bill has a little too much crystal malt for my taste. To each his own, of course. At the very least, I think you'll find the 2% carapils to be unnecessary. It's my understanding that rye is relatively high in proteins and whatnot (much like wheat), and will...

This looks a lot like the session CDA I've got in primary right as we speak! Cool. I like that all of your hop additions come late in the boil. I did almost the same exact thing, except that I'm currently experimenting with hop stands after flameout. Have you considered adding the Carafa III...

I've only used palisade once, but I'm definitely planning on using it again. To me, it has one of the more interesting aromas right out of the bag. However, be careful not to be too heavy handed with it. I added an oz. late in the boil, along with ahtanum, and then dry hopped with an oz. more...

That's true about a half inch being a bit too big. Biggest they get is about the size of an apple seed. Still, I would err on the side of caution.

Good call. It may also be good form to mark the freezer as bed bug infested, if you plan on getting rid of it. That way, dumpster divers and the like don't make the mistake of taking it home. I agree that you should be fine, and that they were mostly contained inside the freezer. Just get...

Running the freezer at a low temperature may kill bed bugs, but it could take weeks. They're much more resistant to low temps than they are high temps.

Ok, disclaimer: Do not freak out until you have a professional identify whether or not they are in fact bed bugs. There are a couple bed bug look-alikes out there. However, I would also suggest getting that freezer outside ASAP. The last thing you want is bed bugs. Unfortunately, the only...

I would make sure they aren't bed bugs before bug bombing anything. Pesticides are generally ineffective on bed bugs, and will just cause then to spread further into your house, resulting in a difficult to treat infestation. Bed bugs are on the rise lately. I'd hate for anyone to get them...

Hey everyone, Random 23-year-old Pittsburgh home brewer here. I've been lurking quite a bit on here, and really must say that this site is awesome. I've only got 5 batches down so far, but I've already been inspired to do a bunch of great d.i.y. projects by Home Brew Talk. Thanks! I...