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So far, I brew only extract w/ steeping grains. I consistently get FG's below 1.012, some below 1.006. I aerate my wort a lot and pitch healthy yeast, typically liquid yeast. IMO, getting FG's @ 1.020 and above for normal recipes (stouts, porter, IPA's, Hefeweizens...) means you're not doing...

I typically aerate both before and after pitching liquid and dry yeast. Why? If I've added water to my carboy, I want to make sure that it's thoroughly mixed with my wort so I get an accurate OG reading. I pitch my yeast, then aerate again to mix the yeast through the wort. When I add my...

Reviewed my recipe for an Irish Red Ale that I'm brewing tomorrow.

I have fermented this recipe at 70-72 degrees F, and I'm getting more banana aroma from the esters than cloves, which is OK. That's what I like. I have been using only one Wyeast 3068 smack package when pitching and getting very good results, but BeerSmith2 is telling me to use 3 packs instead...

I have a Hefeweizen recipe that I'm developing/modifying in BeerSmith2 using Wyeast 3068. In the "Starter", I selected a 1 liter starter size, select stir plate, and enter a package date of yesterday (fresh yeast). It calculates that I will need one package for the starter (that seems...

Thanks everyone. I think I'll try using a mallet and block to try to seat the lid better first. I just get a little anal about keeping the inside of my fermenter clean and bug free. I couldn't picture how I could get a good seal, but I'll try the mallet. If I buy a new lid, I'm probably just...

I've been homebrewing for about a year. I have a Brewers Best fermenting bucket that appears to have a minor leak. During fermentation, I'm seeing the water level in the airlock move, but no bubbles. There appears to be a leak somewhere. It's not coming from the grommet around the airlock. I can...

I would check with your local appliance retailers/repairs (not the large national chains like Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot...). I have a local outfit that reconditions trade-in refrig's and freezers and sells them. I've seen 17-21 cu. ft. refrig's for about $150-$200. They move fast. They also...

I'm a new brewer and I'm having a similar problem with a Coffee Stout I just brewed. It was slow to start fermenting, but it finished OK. Fermentation temperature started out a little cool, about 60 -65 degrees. I moved it to a warmer spot, about 65-70 degrees, and everything went well. OG was...

I'm a new brewer so I'm not sure I can help you. I just finished my third 5 gallon batch and it was a coffee stout. I added 4 ounces with the specialty grains prior to boil. I thne added 4 ounces at flame out. I strained the grounds and hops while adding the boil to the fermenter. I thought...

I brewed a Hefeweizen for my first 5 gallon batch back in September, and experienced the same thing (I'm on my 3rd batch now, so I'm also a newbie). I took it all the way through, bottled, conditioned, and chilled it. It tasted great. My daughter liked it a lot and she spent 12 months in...

I have a big quilted blanket that gets draped over the carboy. I even cut a slit for the airlock to poke out thru. Even with the blanket, it's still stays 64 degrees.

Thanks "Big Floyd" adn "Hello" for the advice. I just got a little nervous when I messed up pitching my yeast for this batch. I'm still learning a lot, every batch helps. I just have to learn to not panic, "relax, don't worry, have a homebrew". For my next 5 gallons, I'm leaving my bucket...

My day job is a vibration analyst and my hobby is home brewing. It sounds like you brew isn't being shaken hard enough to cause any sloshing or splashing so you should be OK. A little sway is OK. I would agree with Brycel about lack of compaction of your sediment; be very careful when you rack...

Thanks everyone for your help. I feel better about sticking with my bucket. BigFloyd asked: "Just curious. Why would you bother racking a stout to a secondary? Don't do something just because a recipe sheet says to do it. Sometimes the info on those is really outdated or was even wrong to...

I'm a newbie and I'm just finishing up my 3rd 5 gallon batch (a great coffee stout). I have a Brewer's Best 6.5 gallon plastic fermenter bucket. I've noticed that on my first batch my airlock was very active for the first 3-4 days. I was brewing a Hefeweizen. I have a temperature strip down...

A final happy note. I checked the SG today and its was 1.016 @ 66 degrees. The recipe I'm following gives a predicted FG of 1.015. I'm going to wayt 2-3 days and take another reading. If my SG is 1.016 to 1.015, I'll probably get ready to bottle this batch. It looks like everything turned out fine.

Milk Chocolate Stout is the brew this weekend. Plus we're still drink the last few bottles of Hefeweizen. I have a coffee stout in the fermenter.

My water is HEAVILY chlorinated, so I've resorted to using bottled spring water. It has made a big difference in the way my brews taste.

Welcome to home brewing. I started out about a year ago with my son giving me a Mr. Beer as a present. I've moved up to 5 gallon batches and having a blast. I have a coffee stout in the fermenter right now. Someday I'll step up to all grain. I live over on the east side near Paradise...