Home Brewers

#176
#176
USAF_Vol said:
I am brewing a porter today. Was going to do it on the weekend but my yeast was slow and I was nervous about pitching it. It showed signs of life and I should be good.

This liquid yeast always has me on edge. But it has always worked. Thinking about going dry and doing starters from now on, what does everyone else use?
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I can be taste tester.
 
#179
#179
Whew, done. In the primary and in a swamp cooler. Looks like I will do a dry yeast from now on. Read a little more about that strain online and it recommends a long diacetyl rest, so looks like I may keep it in a secondary 4 weeks. Looks like it will be about 2 months before I get to try it with the primary/secondary/bottle conditioning.

Going to put on a wheat once I rack out the porter.

I need to invest in a wort chiller, this ice bath is way too long.
 
#180
#180
Brewed an Extra Pale Ale this past weekend. I am loving the kegs. My first keg I emptied in two weeks! It was a Kolsch, I have about a half keg of American Wheat left. It is way too easy to walk out in the garage and draw a cold draft.
 
#181
#181
Got another Cream Ale kit on the way. After that Ill probably do another Kolsch and maybe an Irish Blonde. Then it should be about time for the fall beers. Gotta get the Pumpkin Ale ready.
 
#182
#182
After 48 hours I finally have signs of fermentation. I am getting a bubble probably a minute LOL. Very nervous 48 hours. I read that ringwood yeast strain starts slow but worried still.

I took it out of the swamp cooler to raise the temp, its at 74 right now, top of the charts ferm wise, depending how fermentation goes I may put it back in a cool it down.

The liquid yeast has been good but this may make me switch. I need to do starters from now on.

Darth/Steve, what do you use? Direct pitch liquid or dry
 
#183
#183
USAF_Vol said:
After 48 hours I finally have signs of fermentation. I am getting a bubble probably a minute LOL. Very nervous 48 hours. I read that ringwood yeast strain starts slow but worried still.

I took it out of the swamp cooler to raise the temp, its at 74 right now, top of the charts ferm wise, depending how fermentation goes I may put it back in a cool it down.

The liquid yeast has been good but this may make me switch. I need to do starters from now on.

Darth/Steve, what do you use? Direct pitch liquid or dry
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I use dry and wyeast smack packs. Lately Ive been using mostly the smack packs. Ive never had any problems with either.
 
#184
#184
Ok. Worrying is over. I am at full fermentation. Just put it back in the cooler to lower it and settle in.

Very nerve racking having to wait close to 72 hrs for signs if life. I imagined everything that could have gone wrong.
 
#185
#185
USAF_Vol said:
Ok. Worrying is over. I am at full fermentation. Just put it back in the cooler to lower it and settle in.

Very nerve racking having to wait close to 72 hrs for signs if life. I imagined everything that could have gone wrong.
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That's strange Ive never had one take that long to start. Sounds like its ok though. Do you think the temp could have been too low in the cooler?
 
#186
#186
According to wyeast labs it will take 48 hrs to start. Unless you make a starter which I didn't.

I read a lot about it and everyone always reports a slow two to three day start.

I thought the temps were it but I was in the recommended temps the whole time. 64-74. I did bring it up to the max 74 overnight so it may have needed that.
 
#187
#187
Ive read that too about 48 hours but Ive never had it actually take that long. I have only fermented at room temp though 72-74. Now that Im kegging Im going to build a keezer then Ill be able to use my beer fridge for lagering once I get my kegs out of it.
 
#188
#188
I want to build a keezer eventually. That swamp cooler dropped it from 74 to 70 and I have not used any ice packs.

That strain of yeast is odd. Not sure how I like it so far. Will be up to the taste. I'll let you know.
 
#189
#189
My cream ale came in yesterday and the smack pack is completely swelled, Wyeast 1056. I thought the nutrient bubble had been broken in shipping so I talked to a guy at Midwest and he said that strain is known for swelling and its because of the heat and it should be fine. He told me to put it in the fridge and when I get ready to brew to vent the pack then break the nutrient bubble and let it sit out for a few hours. This thing was swelled really tight though. Has anyone else had this happen?
 
#190
#190
I had one swell. They told me the same thing and it was fine. I put it in the fridge and it went down just a little.

I had another pack show up with the inner pouch broke. Northern brewer replaced it no questions asked.
 
#191
#191
Can you make a starter to make sure your yeast is viable? I watched a YouTube video yesterday about it. Very simple.

Then if your yeast is stuck you will know before you brew.
 
#192
#192
Yea, I may make a starter. I think the next time I use liquid yeast Ill get it from Northern. At least they pack it with a frozen gel pack. Doesn't help that we're setting heat records every day here.
 
#193
#193
You will know if your yeast is good before you brew so I would do a starter. I am doing that from now on.
 
#194
#194
Going to rack that porter to a secondary today. That ringwood yeast took 72 hrs to get started but it fermented just fine when it did.

Any other homebrew activity today?
 
#198
#198
Post pics of your keezer when you get it done. I am heading to Atlanta today and making a stop at Hop City Beer and Wine

Might pick up a homebrew kit while I am there or order a wheat from northern brewer.

My porter is happily conditioning in the secondary. Racked it on Sunday night.
 
#199
#199
I am in the process of getting all of my materials together. A buddy of mine told me not to just buy a starter kit. He said to just get what I want one piece at a time ex. glass casks and such.
 
#200
#200
USAF_Vol said:
Post pics of your keezer when you get it done. I am heading to Atlanta today and making a stop at Hop City Beer and Wine

Might pick up a homebrew kit while I am there or order a wheat from northern brewer.

My porter is happily conditioning in the secondary. Racked it on Sunday night.
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Wow, that place looks awesome. I might have to take a day trip down there one weekend.
 
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