Search found 514 matches
- Sun Oct 18, 2020 5:37 pm
- Forum: Grain Brewing
- Topic: How to brew an acceptable lager?
- Replies: 10
- Views: 694
Re: How to brew an acceptable lager?
Thanks for all the feedback so far. Gives me plenty to think about. I don't have a suitable cooled cabinet for fermentation, so I'll probably wait until we get into winter when air temperatures are below those required and then use my fermentation cabinet as normal (but set to the lower temperature).
- Fri Oct 16, 2020 9:00 pm
- Forum: Grain Brewing
- Topic: How to brew an acceptable lager?
- Replies: 10
- Views: 694
How to brew an acceptable lager?
I've been brewing my own beers for more than twenty-five years and been very happy with the British styles I've made. It's rare for me to do anything other than all-grain recipes these days, fermented in an insulated fermentation cabinet, and my preference is to bottle once the main fermentation is ...
- Wed Oct 14, 2020 9:58 pm
- Forum: Grain Brewing
- Topic: Spent grain disposal - what do you do with it?
- Replies: 46
- Views: 4562
Re: Spent grain disposal - what do you do with it?
I've yet to get to grips with a 'proper'' compost heap, but as far as I know it's a bit of a dark art and requires a fine balance of various materials. I'm not sure it's really a dark art, but you do need a reasonable balance of "green" and "brown" material (about 2:1 I believe). I generally think ...
- Mon Aug 03, 2020 11:25 am
- Forum: Beer Recipes
- Topic: Improper Job
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1300
Re: Improper Job
Lovely. Thank you.
James
James
- Sat Aug 01, 2020 5:57 pm
- Forum: Yeast
- Topic: (Accidentally) frozen dried yeast still viable?
- Replies: 6
- Views: 562
(Accidentally) frozen dried yeast still viable?
A few weeks back when I was making my last batch of beer I brought a packet of S-04 into the kitchen to make into a starter after which point I was completely unable to find it again and nor could anyone else. In the end I put it down to having a "senior moment" and hadn't actually got the yeast in ...
- Thu Jul 30, 2020 9:48 pm
- Forum: Beer Recipes
- Topic: Improper Job
- Replies: 14
- Views: 1300
Re: Improper Job
I shall have to file this away to have a go at once my current plans are completed. This weekend, at my son's request, we're doing a batch of Brewdog's Punk IPA and once that's clear of the fermentation cabinet I have my eye on a batch of Seymour's Hobgoblin. Do you have a link to the original PJ re...
- Tue Jun 23, 2020 10:45 pm
- Forum: Brewing Equipment
- Topic: What fridges are we using?
- Replies: 30
- Views: 5053
Re: What fridges are we using?
Hmmm.... Garlic beer...
It did take a good soak with oxyclean type stuff to get rid of the smell of mango chutney from mine, it has to be said.
James
It did take a good soak with oxyclean type stuff to get rid of the smell of mango chutney from mine, it has to be said.
James
- Tue Jun 23, 2020 10:44 pm
- Forum: Brewing Equipment
- Topic: Heaters for sheds
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1219
Re: Heaters for sheds
I think they have a thermostat in (such a long time since I fitted mine I can't be sure), but that may not be that accurate or for the temperature range you want, which is why I use an STC-1000 to control mine.
James
James
- Tue Jun 23, 2020 7:54 pm
- Forum: Brewing Equipment
- Topic: What fridges are we using?
- Replies: 30
- Views: 5053
- Tue Jun 23, 2020 12:25 am
- Forum: Fermentation
- Topic: Fermentation process
- Replies: 3
- Views: 516
Re: Fermentation process
Personally I think it's easier to add the total amount of sugar to the barrel you're bottling from, syphon in the beer, give it a gentle stir and bottle immediately.
James
James
- Mon Jun 22, 2020 10:34 pm
- Forum: Brewing Equipment
- Topic: Heaters for sheds
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1219
Re: Heaters for sheds
Mine is a tube with electrical connections at one end and a couple of clips that allow you to fix it wherever you need. At the bottom of the cabinet here:

(The cabinet wasn't quite finished at this point.)
James

(The cabinet wasn't quite finished at this point.)
James
- Mon Jun 22, 2020 10:25 pm
- Forum: Brewdays
- Topic: Arkell's Kingsdown
- Replies: 3
- Views: 632
Re: Arkell's Kingsdown
It wouldn't have been a very exciting photo with the lid on, now would it? 
Once the froth has died down the lid goes on.
James

Once the froth has died down the lid goes on.
James
- Sun Jun 21, 2020 10:25 pm
- Forum: Brewdays
- Topic: Arkell's Kingsdown
- Replies: 3
- Views: 632
Re: Arkell's Kingsdown
Finished up this morning. OG was a little on the low side. Not sure why.

And into the fermentation cabinet...

James

And into the fermentation cabinet...

James
- Sun Jun 21, 2020 10:13 pm
- Forum: Brewing Equipment
- Topic: Heaters for sheds
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1219
Re: Heaters for sheds
custom-built Kingspan/Celotex box That's what I did. Basically a cupboard large enough to take two fermenters with a ply inner and outer skin with 50mm celotex sandwiched between the two, 4" PC fan at the top and 40W greenhouse heater at the bottom. STC-1000 mounted in the door to control the green...
Re: S04
My experience has always been that it top-ferments very nicely and suddenly drops like a stone forming a fairly solid mass at the bottom of the fermenter. I've not used it for two or maybe three years though. I do have some that was delivered on Friday, so I shall watch out for changes in behaviour ...