Recent content by Alan_Tyson

I only have experience with Motueka, but I can definitely see it making a very good IPA along with some similarly-quirky hops. I wouldn't use dry-hopping with these, though -- I agree, toss as much into the bittering phase of the boil as possible. That will give it that strong IPA flavor.

I think your hop choice is spot-on. Fuggles has a long tradition of making very good English-style porters and stouts, and while I've never used Goldings myself, their description sounds pretty good for what you're trying to accomplish. I would personally recommend using the Fuggles as your...

I just started a very NZ-heavy Belgian wheat. I tossed 1 oz. Motueka in about five minutes into the boil, then 1 oz of Wakatu about 45 minutes in. Today is the third day of fermentation, and I gotta tell you, the scent coming out of that airlock is the best I've ever smelled while homebrewing...

Alright, I've been jotting all these suggestions down into my brewing bible. Thanks everyone for taking a look and offering advice! I think I meant to write steep instead of boil, since water doesn't boil at 155 F - should have proofread first, though. I think in my head I know the process I...

@lemon: Yeah, if all goes according to plan, I'll be trying the lager during the winter months, so we won't have to worry as much about keeping it cool. What I may do is go and get a second carboy, so I'll have a "test pail" and a "production pail," so to speak. That way I can keep my...

Me and the guys are gonna start out with a pumpkin ale kit, but I'd eventually like to move up to a few recipes I've concocted, including a mint IPA and a fruit stout made with raspberries and cranberries. I like the wilder, experimental side of beer!

@LKABrewer: Perfect! My and my partners were thinking of heading down the Freddy sometime today, but other obligations on my end unfortunately nixed that. We'll definitely put the 15th of the calender, though. @Sheldon: Yeah, I came here as an Iowan import, and I learned very quickly that D.C...

@Motleybrews: I would add them either same time as your bittering hops, OR with 5 min left or at flameout if you are just using for a mint essence, though with 2 cups, I'd imagine you're more after flavor. Something I've read and heard is that if you're more after flavor, add ingredients...

It's okay, I'm a writer. I know aaaaall about addictions.

Hey folks. Alan here, from the D.C. area in northern Virginia. Looking to start up my first batch with some friends of mine in, hopefully, two weeks or so, once we've all got some money together (read: stop spending it all on other people's beer). Thanks for having me!

Hello, folks. Nice place you got here! I'm a brand-new brewer, and I mean brand spanking new-car-smell new. So new that I only just got access to a brewkit, thanks to a friend of mine who has one, but has no idea what to do with it. Now, we're going to start off simple, probably with a kit beer...