RayW
enthusiast
Posts: 1230
Loc: Allen, Tx, USA
Reg: 12-18-01
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06-22-09 04:01 PM - Post#88162
In response to RayW
BTW – anyone need a counter pressure bottle filler? I don’t need it since my kegging system was destroyed. It just needs a good cleaning and new rubber stoppers.
I am not a cat man, but a dog man, and all felines can tell this at a glance - a sharp, vindictive glance.
James Thurber
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RayW
enthusiast
Posts: 1230
Loc: Allen, Tx, USA
Reg: 12-18-01
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06-22-09 09:14 PM - Post#88184
In response to denisew
OK I don’t really know why I bookmarked this page but I must have had a good reason. Who knows? Check it out there may be some useful info.
http://www.tastybrew.com/
I am not a cat man, but a dog man, and all felines can tell this at a glance - a sharp, vindictive glance.
James Thurber
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Joe Schirmer
enthusiast
Posts: 1360
Loc: SE Allen
Reg: 06-30-08
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06-23-09 03:02 PM - Post#88228
In response to RayW
I'll second the opinion on the glass carboy. The plastic buckets are really only good for one or at the best two uses.
I'll also second the opinion on the blowoff hose (Papazian did mention it in first edition, but it is buried on page 171).
Just stick one end into the opening of the glass carboy (it should be big enough to fit snugly in the opening) and the other end just stick into a small bucket of water (I use one of the malt buckets from HBS). When the fermentation takes off, the yeast produce enough CO2 that the wort will bubble and the bubbles will be directed into the bucket of water. It should also take any solids (spent yeast, left over mash and hops) which should also improve the taste of your beer.
RayW: What is a counter pressure bottle filler?
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RayW
enthusiast
Posts: 1230
Loc: Allen, Tx, USA
Reg: 12-18-01
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06-23-09 09:27 PM - Post#88259
In response to Joe Schirmer
RayW: What is a counter pressure bottle filler?
If you have one of these.
http://www.homebrewhq.com/ProductDetails.aspx?prod...
and you want to fill bottles you will need one of these
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/products/ProdByID.a...
Actually if I had it to do over again I wouldn’t waste money on a keg system. One of the best things about home brewing is sharing it with friends. If all of your beer is in kegs this becomes a problem. I took a keg of beer to a Super Bowl party several years ago and all we got out of it was foam. If you agitate a keg by moving it, it needs to set still for at least 24 hours.
But if you already have a keg system and want to go through the hassle of bottling kegged beer I will dig through my garage and find my bottle filler.
I think bottle conditioned beer is better that force carbonated beer anyway. I like the yeast in the bottom of the bottle.
I am not a cat man, but a dog man, and all felines can tell this at a glance - a sharp, vindictive glance.
James Thurber
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Edited by RayW on 06-23-09 10:06 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Joe Schirmer
enthusiast
Posts: 1360
Loc: SE Allen
Reg: 06-30-08
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06-23-09 11:07 PM - Post#88270
In response to RayW
Interesting. I guess if you bottle from a keg then you won't get the sediment at the bottom of the bottle.
I occasionally think about kegging, but I'm too cheap and quickly talk myself out of it.
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denisew
Community Expert
Posts: 9243
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
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06-28-09 06:04 PM - Post#88724
In response to Joe Schirmer
We bought the book Joe suggested - "The Joy of Home Brewing" yesterday. My husband is making his first batch today. I'm staying out of the kitchen and letting him do his thing - unless he asks for help which he has done only once so far.
He said the book told him to keep the sediment out of your mouth - pour the beer into a frosty mug (or if you like it warm - a room temperature mug) - all except the sediment at the bottom.
Edited by denisew on 06-28-09 06:06 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Joe Schirmer
enthusiast
Posts: 1360
Loc: SE Allen
Reg: 06-30-08
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06-28-09 10:06 PM - Post#88738
In response to denisew
Good luck on your husband's first batch.
I know a few people who will drink the sediment at the bottom of the bottle. But most people (including me) think the sediment gives an off taste to the beer which is why it is best to pour the beer into a mug.
The best advice in that book is "relax, have a homebrew." Of course for your first batch it is acceptable to substitute an alternate brew.
Edited by Joe Schirmer on 06-28-09 10:10 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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denisew
Community Expert
Posts: 9243
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
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06-29-09 07:44 AM - Post#88768
In response to Joe Schirmer
I spoke to him this morning (I'm at work now) and we both noticed our cat who is really interested in what's going on in the pantry. I guess he hears it bubbling and probably smells it too. When I opened our pantry this morning, he walked in very cautiously toward the bucket, but I scooted him out once I figured out what he was hearing.
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denisew
Community Expert
Posts: 9243
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
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06-29-09 08:46 PM - Post#88821
In response to denisew
Well, I brewed my first batch on Sunday - wheat beer. On Monday morning, I found that activity happened overnight - the fermentation lock had bubbles and a little spillage - :). It seems the male cat loves the smell of brewing beer, he sits at the pantry door like he is waiting for it to finish (along with me). Anyway, 24 hours later, there is still a darkish liquid in the lock, but I do not see any bubbles or activity. First, should I worry? According the the recommended book , it says no worries. :) Since this is my first brew, I do not have a hydrometer for checking the density. Secondly, when should I move to the glass carboy? It is currently in the plastic bucket.
Thanks,
Troy
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lostyankee
enthusiast
Posts: 1336
Reg: 10-27-05
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06-29-09 09:34 PM - Post#88823
In response to denisew
Troy:
I love the smell also... while visiting Dublin I was able to find the Guinness factory with my nose.
Sounds like you got a vigorous fermentation going, that blew up into the airlock (assuming you're brewing in the plastic bucket?) Your airlock may be blocked, so you could take out the lock and clean it out, but you add the chance of infecting the batch, so follow the sanitation. Chances are you are still vigorously fermenting, but I've had some that rocket overnight (one dunkel blew the top off my plastic bucket). Only way to truly know is to buy a hydrometer.
As for moving to the carboy, I usually wait until I have no bubbles coming through the airlock, or until my hydrometer says to move (depends on your recipe) It's usually about a week.
Good luck!
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Joe Schirmer
enthusiast
Posts: 1360
Loc: SE Allen
Reg: 06-30-08
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06-30-09 10:10 AM - Post#88840
In response to lostyankee
I agree with lostyankee, it sound like your airlock may be clogged. After it is cleaned you should see a slow but steady succession of bubbles being expelled through your airlock. (Anywhere between 1 to 20 seconds apart)
If you still do not see any activity then you can contact Homebrew Headquarters and they should be able to help. I had a fermentation stall on me once but homebrew headquarters supplied me with some stuff (I forget what it was) which re-started the fermentation.
In my experience the first day or so is the most active, but after that it slows down considerably. Be sure to wait at least one to two weeks before bottling, because if you bottle too early your beer will be over-carbonated and the beer will spew out like a volcano when you open it.
Once again, good luck on the beer.
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Joe Schirmer
enthusiast
Posts: 1360
Loc: SE Allen
Reg: 06-30-08
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06-30-09 10:38 AM - Post#88847
In response to denisew
I forgot to answer your question about when you should transfer the wort into the secondary fermentor (the glass carboy).
You can transfer into the glass carboy at anytime between now and shortly before you bottle. Basically what you are wanting to do is move the wort into a container without all of the dead yeast and other solids which are created during fermentation. If you had a blow-off hose connected to the glass carboy, the more active fermentation of the first day or so would expel some of these solids through the blow-off hose.
The only problem with transferring into a secondary fermenter is that you might oxygenate the wort in the process if you are not very careful. Since the yeast is now in the anaerobic stage and any oxygen in the wort could cause oxidization and give off-tastes to the beer. So if you do transfer it to the carboy, be sure to top it off with water to prevent a large pocket of air (which would contain oxygen) at the top of the carboy.
I don't think it would be a bad idea to leave the wort in the bucket until you are ready to bottle. At that point gently transfer the wort, being sure not to let it splash as you do so, and leave behind any solids. This would also be a good time to add your priming sugars being sure to gently mix then immediately bottle.
But be sure to check Papazian (Joy of Homebrewing), he might have additional (or different) advice from mine.
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Joe Schirmer
enthusiast
Posts: 1360
Loc: SE Allen
Reg: 06-30-08
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06-30-09 11:04 AM - Post#88850
In response to Joe Schirmer
I just re-checked Papazian about the question of when to transfer (since I don't use that method of brewing). I definitely suggest reading it since his advice is slightly different from mine. It is on page 127 under the heading "Open Fermentation" in my 3rd edition copy.
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denisew
Community Expert
Posts: 9243
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
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07-05-09 11:51 AM - Post#89129
In response to Joe Schirmer
Thanks all for your help. I ended up going to Brewhouse HQ in Richardson and they were a big help. I also bought a hydrometer. I'm looking forward to bottling my first batch.
Troy
ps: The cat is still fascinated with that big white bucket in the pantry.
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denisew
Community Expert
Posts: 9243
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
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10-28-09 07:01 PM - Post#98659
In response to denisew
I wanted to update you on how the beer tasted. I should have posted this earlier, but forgot about it. I tried my husband's beer after he let it sit in the freezer for a little while to get ice cold. This was on a night when we were having pizza for dinner. It was really good! I didn't drink a whole bottle and am not the one who is really enjoying it, but my husband enjoys an occasional beer and isn't even done with his first case yet - four months after he started all this!
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Joe Schirmer
enthusiast
Posts: 1360
Loc: SE Allen
Reg: 06-30-08
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10-28-09 09:59 PM - Post#98680
In response to denisew
Glad to hear that you and your husband is enjoying your homebrew. What kind of beer did he choose for his first batch?
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denisew
Community Expert
Posts: 9243
Loc: Allen, TX
Reg: 02-18-02
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10-29-09 08:35 AM - Post#98696
In response to Joe Schirmer
He used a wheat beer starter he got from Homebrew Headquarters (in the can), but added pineapple juice with the water. It has a nice flavor, but I can't tell there is pineapple juice - just tastes good.
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