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decant is a fancy word for pouring off the water/liquid and leaving the solid (yeast) mass

Very well done. Could someone please take this tutorial another step further and explain how to build up a starter for lagers and/or big beers, please ? I seem to have a mental block with that procedure, although I think that it is quite similar.

SORRY, I meant BEERSMITH not BREWSMITH...

I just wanted to give Brewsmith kudos for a few reasons : It's very easy to use when designing recipes, there are also a ton of recipes available via the website. You can also get free add-on/updates regarding ingredients, equipment and style guidelines. I recently downloaded the 2015...

I do both BIAB and also single infusion and occasionally a double decoction. Right now I'm doing mainly BIAB because it is less work, and I can also step mash via direct fire of the wort. I am also very close to finishing a (low tech) HERMS. I like to practice all the brewing techniques.

I highly recommend this class (if/when it is offered again). I have taken the class twice, and I still have issues remembering much of the technical material. However, there is a lot of reference material covered, & (more importantly), the class & study materials are archived, and I have access...

HEY EVERYONE, Just a reminder as hop growing season commences that dogs can die from eating hops ! They basically overheat from the inside-out and die. I forget the correct medical terminology, but I think it important that we all remember how dangerous hops are to our...

I've had similar hop-growing experiences. I have just added 7 giant bags of miracle grow veggie soil to my hop areas. I have tried to grow hops since 2008, and only 1 plant out of 5 really produced anything. Today I have 9 varieties (13 plants - about 8 are new rhizomes) - I just received...

In the beginning, I never measured gravity. Nowadays I take a lot of measurements & notes, but then I lose the paperwork & have no clue about what my notes said.

I am very intrigued with the whole CYBI podcasts on the Fullers ESB/London Pride. I just listened to both podcasts & then stumbled upon this particular thread. It amazes me that this thread was started about 5 years ago, and that it is still active ! I've never done a party-gyle mash, and the...

Thanks, Doug - I'll give this a shot. Appreciate the advice. Cheers ! :rockin:

The reason I ended up leaving so much wort in the brew kettle is because I used a keggle with a false bottom and the wort just stopped draining. I probably could've physically drained & strained the remaining wort to improve my efficiency. If I did that then I wouldn't have added so much extra...

how deep do you plant your rhizomes ? Do you amend your soil ?

Hello, I have a half dozen hop plants that I planted a few years ago, but 2/3rds of them barely grow. I suspect that I need to amend my soil, and that time is fast approaching. I have a black thumb when it comes to gardening, but I am determined to make this work. My plan is to dig up the...

Yeah, I know 17 Lbs is pretty huge for a 1060 beer. I think I can improve my efficiency, but I did like being able to basically steep all my grains & then just go into the boil in the same vessel. Plus the control of mash temp was pretty cool for me. I think there's a trade off with systems &...

Hey Phinney, My name is Marco, and I also just did my 1st BIAB today ! I've done several types of brewing since 2008, extract, extract w/ steeping specialty grains, AG single infusion, step mash & decoction - all with an insulated cooler. I've employed the fly-sparging, batch sparging & no...

Don't forget to buy "DampRid" or some other comparable moisture absorption crystals to suck up the moisture created inside the keezer. Over time, moisture & air can create rust inside the chamber. At least that's what happened to me. I ended up emptying out the keezer and painted the inside...

Welcome Big Benny ! I love Scottish Ales ! My mother's maiden name (and my middle name) is Scott. I have Scots-Irish heritage. Best of luck to you with your brewing. This website is one of THE BEST sources for info regarding beer & homebrewing.

Welcome Aboard ! I think that the actual process of fermentation is where all the action is - and whether you are an extract brewer or all grain brewer is secondary to your fermentation techniques. Consider learning how to make yeast starters and review "Mr Malty" (website) to learn more about...

I have an old school "Oklahoma Joe" stickburner which requires constant attention to maintain the proper temp. This is not a set it and forget it smoker so I can't brew & smoke simultaneously - especially if I am alone. I do have an electric smoker that I haven't used - so maybe that would...