Recent content by dave_h

If you are interested in something simple have a look at Mangrove Jacks cider kits (craft series), they are supposed to be quite good. Ive bought one but not used it yet. Brew shop did say they can take a while (month or two) to mature (sulfur byproduct of the yeast).

When I keg hop I always tie some (non flavored) dental floss to the ball and then through the lid to a post. Then if I need to remove the hops I can. The lid still seals well.

Maybe use some less fermentale suggars like lactose?

Maybe leave a bit (say 3-4cm) so if/when you whirlpool there is a bit of space at the bottom to help it settle? One of my pots, I put the element a bit too high and its a pain as it takes longer when I drain the mash before I can turn the element on.

Thanks Koshari, I will get one in the next week or two unless other comments come up before hand.

Could someone give me a comparison between a beer engine and a valterra RP 800 pump As far as I can see they should work the same. Obviously a beer engine looks nicer but I can get a new valterra pump compared to an older second hand beer engine. The valterra pump I assume also has a smaller...

How are you measuring the gravity? Assume you know if you are using a refractometer you need to adjust the value.

Does the Valterra pump need a non return valve between it and the keg/bag? Also, are there any other pumps beside beer engines people recommend? Thanks

I use a big cheap whisk to stir the mash, cant believe how much easier it is to get rid of dough balls fast

Are you allowing for boil off? I typically lose over 3L as my pots are wide

I'm not sure if this was the correct way but in spring when the plant started growing again I just dug down from a new bine that was growing off from the side. Just make sure you get a node and have some root material and it will grow.

I have had pretty lousy efficiency so I have set the mill to grind quite fine. A fair few people suggest 0.6mm was ok for biab. There does not seem to be too much flour but i suppose this could be it. Its just not consistent. I can always open it upto 0.9mm and see if that makes a different...

I am currently mashing in a bag (swiss voile) in a coolbox. I have a plastic sheet with holes in that the bag sits on keep the bag off the bottom of the cooler to help it drain. My problem is that sometimes the bag refuses to drain, even when i lift the bag it wont drain. Last time i had to...

Thanks for the replys Coodgee and Lionman, I think you are both right. Ive tried a couple more NEIPAs and although I think they are ok im not quite sure I want 20L of them. I might do a APA with the hops but not go overboard with the bitterness (I just cant drink the super bitter ones any more...

Ive only tried one or two New England IPAs and I was quite impressed. I was thinking of trying to make one with what ingredients I have (need to use them up) and was thinking of using the following hops; Cascade Centennial Chinook (homegrown) In most of my research online people say that its...