Jim's Beer Kit

Hi Sye I'm not after different profiles for IPA/Stouts etc at this stage, just a general adjustment to my Mash/Sparge waters (max 20ltr) that I can add to improve the beer ... ... I think this is where I don't think you've grasped the point ... the sorts of adjustments/additions that would make one ...

Hi I saw that programme a while ago ... and have tried using bread in a few brews since ... I've also tried to get into the "habit" of chucking any dried up or unlikely to be used bread that we end up with into a bag (marked up for brewing use) in the freezer rather than the bin (I don't go and sour...

Hi snowbeast The two can kits look expensive compared to one can kits, but they don't need any extra sugars (other than for priming) adding to them ... if you've made Ditch's Stout then you probably already appreciate the benefit that adding Malt Extract instead of Simple Sugars/Brewing Sugar/Beerki...

Hi If I needed the BIGHop effect I'd add a hop tea to the FV. ... +1 ... and if you chill your no-chill (I know it sounds wrong, but once the wort in the no-chill has cooled to ambient you can put it in your brewfridge to get it cooler than pitching temp (fridge temps 0-5C, say)) then you can take a...

Hi simple one Have a read of the information over there (link) ... the main pros and cons around overnight mashing, and the steps you need to take to ensure success, are discussed there. If you experience or are worried about a stuck mash from grain settlement then you could add enough boiling water...

Hi Colliedog I've never done this myself (yet) ... but I have tasted a beer that had been "dry-nibbed" (I think it's a term now Kev :wink: ), and got the recipe from the brewer ... the tip he'd added was to put the nibs in a (boiled) muslin bag, and to keep sampling the beer daily until you have the...

Hi rpt I think it's a myth that the headspace will fill with CO2 and displace all the O2. Even though CO2 is heavier than air there will be mixing of the two. ... it's so nice that someone (finally) has identified and addressed this myth that CO2 eliminates (all) O2 :wink: =D> And it isn't a sex den...

Thanks Orlando and dcq for the extra detail =D> I've been very happy with the results from my approach, but I have had (less but) some chill haze in the (relatively few) beers I tend to chill down very cold before drinking (while the cellar temps beers have been as bright as a bright thing), and I t...

Hi Orlando Gelatine works brilliantly ... it works better on a rising heat gradient. ... I agree it works brilliantly, but I've never done it that way ... I usually chill to 10C or so, then add the gelatine and keep it dropping to 0-1C ... I presume I've got that from the internet somewhere :? Can y...

Hi Midlife ... can anyone help with where I find the information for Extract/LDK and Fermentability/%. The supplier specs tend to show extract as % ... I think the "extract as %" figure that you're seeing from the suppliers may well be what Palmer describes over there (link ) as "Maximum Yield" (doe...

Hi Meaty I used the Blackberry Flavour version of that stuff (link) to boost the blackberry flavours in a Blackberry Milk Stout ... when I'd found that I'd managed to add not enough blackberries :roll: ... that beer turned out really nice :wink: ... but be careful with that flavouring, it's powerful...

Hi Aamcle I've discussed extraction on Biabrewer.info some very very experienced brewers tell me that sparging is not needed and doesn't improve efficiency. ... and I wouldn't doubt that that's what those brewers have experienced :? ... because whether or not sparging will improve efficiency, depend...

Hi rpt I think vacant's argument for increased efficiency from sparging isn't quite right. It doesn't take into account the fact that efficiency is lower at higher gravities. The initial mash will be a higher gravity and so will extract less sugar, so it isn't a like for like comparison. ... I'm not...

Hi GeeThom

There was a discussion about the update/re-format to BYOBRA over there (link), in which Graham gave his opinions and explained his (lack of) involvement ... if that's the version you're talking about

Cheers, PhilB

Hi Jocky If you're careful with the bottle opener then you can (gently) prise the cap up to release some pressure (when I've done this, even though the bottles had been chilled right down, the beer immediately started foaming in the neck, but then before the froth gets to the cap) then you can relea...