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Annapolis all the way. I don't do the shipping. It's easier just to go out there. Not too far for a trip every now and then and a good area. Annapolis has very knowledgable people. Cheaper than anyone else local. A large stock of supplies. Very friendly too. So, just the opposite of Extreme...

Homebrewing can take a day that's too hot to be outside to a day that's meant to be outside.

The OG was 4-6 points off of target. It was taking some fermentable enzymes but at that temps was making some non-fermentable enzymes as well. I've read where some commercial beer uses high mash temps (certainly not as high as I did) to get a desired effect of negative iodine reaction with a...

There was at least some conversion. I started noticing my problem when they ALL stopped fermenting around 1.020-1.025 gravity. I have 1 ale left that I haven't looked at yet because I mashed at 178 degrees (probably meaning to hit 158 ). Probably not a lot of fermentables in there, huh?

I don't know why I had it in my head that mash (edit) temps are supposed to be 170-178. I don't know why I didn't check my notes before making 4 batches. Cocky, overconfident, lazy, who knows. What I do know is that I have 8 cases that are going to be hard to unload. Don't get me wrong, it's...

I guess with gas prices shipping is a better option. I like walking in a shop though and talking to guys who brew too. I went to the Antique shop in Lewes last night because I had to pick up some emergency bottle caps and corks. Grabbed some grain while I was there too. A little disappointed...

+1 on the BTU. I got a small 45k BTU Brinkmann. Heats 7 gallons to boiling in about 10 min from the cold tap. I've been getting 5-6 batches off a 20# tank. Refills are $25 for a blue rhino where I'm at but haven't shopped around much since its been $5 or less per batch.

After a 5 month break due to cold weather I just brewed a good batch of beer yesterday. My friends had thought I quit, my wife was upset thinking I'd wasted all that money, even I was giving doubts that I might brew again. But old man winter has scheduled a few day off here at the end of January...

I've been going to Annapolis for brewing supplies for about 6 months now. Tired of retailers in the lower Delaware area not having good selection, knowledgeable service, or friendly people. I found this place in Annapolis that has a wide selection and great people who aren't arrogant or...

I'm having trouble believing that I didn't mix the sugar well or had a bottle infection. I gave two cases of beer to a friend and he placed it in his car while he worked (a Belgian Pale and a Porter). The temps were high 80's today and high humidity. Inside the car could have been over 100. He...

Phew. Felling a little better. Distilled water at 60 degrees read 0.992 below the meniscus which this hydrometer calls for. So my extract brew was spot on and I only missed my AG by a couple points. Hey, 60% efficiency on your first try is more rewarding than the 30% or so I thought I did. I...

Might answer my own question here but can a hydrometer just be defective out of the box? I check between 70-80 degrees figuring it might read 2 points low on that higher end. I always take my measurement when I have the full amount of water mixed in. This hydrometer consistently tells me I'm...

I can't say anything from competition experience. But from judge's tastes I'd assume that would be regional. With porters and stouts you can cover up the most mistakes. Clarity, fruity esters, strong aromas. I've been designing my beers not to be the greatest tasting but to have the fewest...

If I wanted to start a failed business I'd open up one of the hundreds of amateur microbreweries that pop up every year. Nothing against anyone with that dream but brewing is just a hobby for me. A dedicated hobby as I carefully tend to the now 30 gallons of fermenting/conditioning beer and wine...

Try this http://www.brew-monkey.com/events/events.php One in Gaithersburg next month. I heard that the one at the state fair was created because there wasn't any competitions close by. Living in Georgetown I'd probably have to drive 2-4 hours for most of the comps in MD, VA, and PA.

In preparing for next year's competition schedule I've read up on a lot of the BJCP judging requirements. When I first started home brewing I felt as if you had to be a chemist to understand the detailed art of brewing beer. While looking at the judging training/tests/requirements it feels like...

Hmmm, so a Porter took 1st BOS and a Stout took 3rd BOS. Same thing happened in 2011. It's good to know what the judges like. Won't rely on my Light Lager if I enter. I like the quote from Dogfish judge Dan Weber, "Balance is an important issue for a lot of home brewers.Sometimes they may use...

To add to this I put my extra DME in the fridge (and in airlock container). IDK just seemed like the thing to do when I did it. Does that matter?

LSD (Lower Slower Delaware). I just Googled for a local distributer and it looks like there is one down the road in Milford. I just fired off an email to them and I'll give them a call when I get off of work. The most frustrating thing is when you tell all your friends you need bottles and you...

I'm coming to my wits end here. My LHBS doesn't sell beer bottle and to buy them online would cost too much just to ship. So I went around to 5 bars and collected their bottles through the weekend. Like 90% were twist caps (damn Bud Lite). So I got 12 good bottles from that method and recycled...