Recent content by BPO

I have grow hops in San Antonio. I had plant for 3 years and then they died. The second and third year I got a good amount off of two plants. Every year I fought off spider mites. They really do thrive here and love hops. I never saw the spider mites anywhere else in the yard. They can kill the...

I'm in Thanks

Just want to make sure. How did you measure you FG. If you use a refractometer you need to adjust with a calculator. If you used a hydrometer everything above is valid.

Nice. That is very cool. Are you putting yours in a refrigerator? If so what does that look like. I have to lift mine about a foot off the ground and it just barely fits.

You could use a pump. You would have to make sure to clean it well. Or you could put the drum on a pallet. Jack the drum up and use the gravity syphon. Send pictures when you figure it out.

Second brew pitched on last batch of yeast. Oktoberfest. I pitched on top of the yeast again. Currently in the fermenter is a MaiBock. Should come in around 7%.

I add the recommended salts that were recommended by the water calculator to the mash. After the first few minutes I check the pH. Depending on the results I add 1 % Lactic acid malt per 0.1 pH. For example if pH is 5.5 and I used 17 lbs of grain in the recipe I would add 0.51 lbs of acid malt...

Here is the first brew. Dunkel. Currently an Oktoberfest is in the fermenter.

I do 12 gallon batches in a 15 gallon keggle with no issues. I agree with using the fermcap. I hardly use fermcap but when I have it works. http://brulosophy.com/2014/10/02/fermcap-s-the-magical-cure-for-boilovers/

I have a friend that is always on the look out for brewing stuff. He found it at a flea market. The down tube for the sankey coupler was all beat up and useless as a keg but perfect for brewing. I also cleaned the keg up with green abrasive ball from harbor freight.

I believe it would work with a smaller keg as well. I would use a 4in or 6in tri clamp. These sizes are easier to find and are cheaper. Also when you weld the ferrule on make sure to weld from the inside. This will ensure it is a sanitary seal. I also want to pressure transfer. I have seen...

First brew day. First time using the new fermenter.

I have also bought from a local brewer before. It makes the grain cost around $0.40-.$050 a lb. Last time we bought grain this way, there was a group and we tried to make it as painless as possible for the brewery. we tried to buy the same stuff they used and we bought enough for a year. I still...

Please post updates after you use as few time. Cool idea.