Recent content by doctor strangebrew

Not exactly on topic (but I got an e-mail asking why I haven't been around) I love home brewing, and the cooler weather in the off months would have been ideal (just that I'm unemployed and have no funds) Now, even if I could afford to order some stuff, it way too hot (predicted 104 deg F today)...

This is hard to believe, but I think I did too good a job. I couldn't see what was happening in the jug with the towel over it, and was so obsessed with trying everything, after 5 days I went to bottle it and it wasn't done... had not cleared yet. Oh well, it was a good experiment and learned a...

Got over 100 degrees today! Added some ice... worked great, but lucky I am around most of the day to play with this. I have found that with the fan it actually dries the towel out too fast, so what is really needed is a small water pump to keep the towel wet (looking into that, only need small...

Wow! That little fan did the trick (3 speed set on low) Anyone wanting to try this technique get a small fan. Don't have a way to check temp, but it feels very cool. Can't wait to try this on my 3 gallon glass carboy.

I'm testing this on a 1 gallon jug of cider. Working good, but adding a fan today (scored a closeout deal... 4 inch rechargable fan $3)

I have no funds at the moment... lucky if I can even buy supplies to make beer. Small window AC units are fairly cheap and a good solution for my bedroom, but living with my elderly mother (long story) and she would ***** about the electricity used. She did say I could use all the ice I need.

I'll try one of those simple temp strips on side of fermenter. I'm determined to brew beer this summer, even if I have to add ice cubes to the water.

I've been very lucky that the weather hasn't been too hot, but had out first 100 degree day recently, so going to do the "swamp" cooler method (cloth wrapped around carboy sitting in water) Had an idea to make this work better (besides a fan which really helps!) I'm going to use a towel that is...

I tend to be more serious when making beer, but I'll admit sometimes I rush a quick 1 gallon batch of apple cider (like I'm drinking right now) One week in fermenter, added priming juice... 2 days in bottles... damit, stressed out, no funds, threw it in the fridge and getting a buzz on (it's...

Just wondering... what is the CO2 level of soda from the store? I'm guessing 3.0 (I pour mine in a glass and let some of the carb escape) I know you will all be disappointed, but for reasons I'd rather not explain, I could not wait. 2 days in the bottle, threw it in the fridge and drank some. No...

I might make a tincture as a backup plan. I can sample when kegging and add some tincture if needed (might use some in a 1 gallon batch of cider too... just for kicks)

I had some issues siphoning, so ended up with one full 2-liter bottle (added just under 1/2 cup juice for priming) and one partial bottle, so I just drank the partial. It was surprisingly strong! My "oakie hydrometer" says 7-8 % (judging by the buzz I got) The cider was very sour for my taste...

I looked at the juice label... 27 grams sugar/8 oz. Used a priming sugar calculator (for 1 gallon batch) and got CO2 a2.0 = 16g, CO2 at 3.0 = 30g. Two 2-liter bottles is a bit more than 1 gallon (adding some water to reduce head space) and shooting for about 2.5 CO2 so just under 1 cup (8oz)...

I could also tell the difference between just sour taste and actual contamination by the smell. Can't describe it in words, but I could tell. Most likely is just the "cidery flavor" as mentioned... didn't mean to get you worried.

I agree... do this with a different batch with wheat. If you use bottles (instead of keg) you could do as suggested (boil/steep and strain) and somewhere towards the end of bottling add this to the bucket and bottle a few "testers" to see if you like the flavor. Not too much though. Make sure to...