Learn to Homebrew Day - Saturday, November 2, 2013

[kenny10]

Thanks Chalmers and CA for showing us newbies how its done in the AG world. Excited to get my equipment and start brewing great beer.

[sleepyjamie]

The vineyard in Calgary

Tool shed brewing company did a brew on an expensive custom modified blichman system and still didn't get as accurate as TimG and I on our inexpensive biab system.

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[mr x]

Great looking event!

[chalmers]

Looks like a great turnout!

Happy to have hosted! The Nut Brown is humming away in the fermentation fridge quite nicely.

[adamhinchey11]

Just missed the mark on this one...a few days too late.

Very interested in learning a few things before I start grabbing some gear.

Keep me in the loop on any future events!

Thanks!

[Jimmy]

Where are you located? There's always people willing to have someone tag along during their brew day.

[adamhinchey11]

I'm located in the South End of Halifax. That would be great if someone doesn't mind.

[sleepyjamie]

Yeah was the vineyards first time hosting. Lotsa fun but not the same as brewnisers events


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[GuingesRock]

Thanks for coming and bringing the family, Mark. Erin at first though Max and Ellie were brother and sister.

Great talking beer, drinking beer, making beer. Hope we showed that doing a full mash and/or BIAB is not that much of a time sink compared to partial mashing, but that the method allows exact tuning of your recipe to your tastes and desires. BIAB and 3-vessel were both done within 4 hours (well, the Nut Brown had a 90-min boil, so it was just over 4).

Cheers!

Chris, you finished your traditional brew, using an outside burner in 4 hours (using hot tap water, cheater ), and Liam did an outside BIAB brew with cold water in 3 ½ hours. I was really impressed. You asked me how long my brew day was in the kitchen, using a stove top. I sheepishly said I think about 7 hours, and then came up with some feeble remarks, like I like to do a slow FWH, and I like it because I can do other stuff at the same time. Truth is I was really envious.

I did a brew today in the kitchen and timed it from putting the water on the stove to clean up and pitching and it was 7 hours and 45mins Fuck! ...I mean Frig!

Then I had a thought. Hang on guys! I’m doing 12 gal brews for 2 kegs (I have a lot of trub loss by choice) so it is only taking me half that time to make 5 gals = 3 hours and 53 mins. I beat you Chris, so stop your gloating , and I brewed it in the kitchen

Liam is the winner by 23 mins with his outside BIAB.

How long are other people's inside and outside brew days? per 5 gal....It's useful information for people thinking of getting into all grain.

[CorneliusAlphonse]

Chris did a double batch as well :^)

When I brewed on a glass top stove it took me much longer, because they just can't put out the heat to get it up to boiling quickly enough - and that was just for a single batch! So I'm not surprised it takes you so long.

If you want to continue to brew on the stove top but want to cut the time down, you might be able to rig up a heat stick or something to give it an extra boost when youre heating before the mash and again when youre trying to bring it to a boil - then take it out and use only the stove for the boil itself. Let's you keep doing it on the stove top but would save you some time.

[GuingesRock]

Embarrassing, Sorry Chris. I guess you are the winner by miles. I only showed up at the end.

Thanks Liam, I had thought of doing that. I need to wire in a 20 amp plug near the stove top (the one there is only 15 AMP) but I think you are right, and I should go ahead with that. How long does an electric brew day take? That's the other option.

Those heat sticks have a thermostat on them and I could set to strike temp when I leave for work on a Wednesday. I have the afternoon off on Wednesday, so it would be all ready for me when I got home at lunch time.

[RubberToe]

Mark, I can take an aweful long time as well but usually take my time. If you count things like recipe formulation, other brew calculations, weighing out the grain, hops, and water additions it can really add up. My fastest "brew days" are when I do these things the night before. I can push 3.5 hours as well but am usually closer to 5, often more, before I pitch the yeast. Oxygenating the wort takes time too.

Soon I want to do a little experiment where I brew like I cook a meal I really know. NO measurements. Grab some grains, grind em, mash in, same with the hop bill. Fly by the seat of your pants and see where it leads you. Still take gravity measurements perhaps.

[GAM]

Embarrassing, Sorry Chris. I guess you are the winner by miles. I only showed up at the end.

Thanks Liam, I had thought of doing that. I need to wire in a 20 amp plug near the stove top (the one there is only 15 AMP) but I think you are right, and I should go ahead with that. How long does an electric brew day take? That's the other option.

Those heat sticks have a thermostat on them and I could set to strike temp when I leave for work on a Wednesday. I have the afternoon off on Wednesday, so it would be all ready for me when I got home at lunch time.

Mark

I think I still have 2 15a heat sticks I only used to boil water. Homemade so no thermostat.

If you want them let me know.

Sandy

[GuingesRock]

Thanks Sandy. This was the thermostat one I came across. I wonder if it is any good: http://www.torontobrewing.ca/servlet/th ... ter/Detail

I sent them and email before asking if it was chromium plated (not keen on that) but they said they didn't know, so I didn't order it.

Thanks also for all the helpful comments guys.

[Keith]

Soon I want to do a little experiment where I brew like I cook a meal I really know. NO measurements. Grab some grains, grind em, mash in, same with the hop bill. Fly by the seat of your pants and see where it leads you. Still take gravity measurements perhaps.

I recommend setting up a camera or a mic to record it. You never know, this could be your finest batch ever. I made the best lasagne once for my wifes birthday. Everyone asked to take some home. Could I replicate it. Nope Tried so many times and have failed.

[gm-]

How long are other people's inside and outside brew days? per 5 gal....It's useful information for people thinking of getting into all grain.

I do 6 gal batches, 3 tier system, outside (or in my garage with the door open), and it usually takes me 3.5-4 hours. Could easily do 10 gal batches, and I suspect it would only add an 30 minutes-hour or so as it would take a bit longer for the wort to get to rolling boil.