On Saturday we bottled Just The Tip ale and brewed our second batch of beer. This was our first time bottling and our second time brewing. I learned a lot. Here six of the things I will (try to) remember for next time:
Tuesday Morning Quarterback
On Saturday we bottled Just The Tip ale and brewed our second batch of beer. This was our first time bottling and our second time brewing. I learned a lot. Here are a few of the things I will remember for next time.
1. We need a more efficient way of cleaning the inside of the glass fermenter. So there is a whole mess of foam and bubbles that forms inside the carboy on top of the beer during fermentation. This is the result of the little yeasties doing massive amounts of work. The foam subsided after about a week but it left a nasty looking grime on the inside of the carboy. It took a wire hanger, four rubber bands, and six Hail MacGuyvers to get something that would take care of the dirt. In the end there was still a bit you could see but there was nothing we could do about it. I hope it doesn’t affect the brew to be.
2. Our original hydrometer sucked. We got it for $7.95 at PetSmart or some place just like that. It always read the highest reading possible. Ok, it is designed for aquariums but c’mon, I thought it was a pretty sweet pickup. As it turns out, Tom at The Thirsty Brewer Jucies and Berries sells a completely effective hydrometer for around the same price. I will say that it is a bit void of directions however it only took a braintrust with a total 9 degrees to figure out that little guy.
3. Starting the syphon (in this case) equals being the first to taste Just The Tip Ale. We tried to use the “no mouth” method where you fill the entire hose with water and then quickly put one end into the carboy and lower the other end down to the bottle. That did not work… at all. I ended up having to suck on one end of the hose with the other end in the brew. Oh my goodness! I’m not going to say that Just The Tip was a success but I will say that I delayed putting the hose into the bottling pail for just a few seconds. It tasted suprisingly good. Its like something I’ve had before, although I can’t think of what that is. Maybe a Bass… once it hits your lips, its so good.
4On Saturday we bottled Just The Tip ale and brewed our second batch of beer. This was our first time bottling and our second time brewing. I learned a lot. Here are a few of the things I will remember for next time.
1. We need a more efficient way of cleaning the inside of the glass fermenter. So there is a whole mess of foam and bubbles that forms inside the carboy on top of the beer during fermentation. This is the result of the little yeasties doing massive amounts of work. The foam subsided after about a week but it left a nasty looking grime on the inside of the carboy. It took a wire hanger, four rubber bands, and six Hail MacGuyvers to get something that would take care of the dirt. In the end there was still a bit you could see but there was nothing we could do about it. I hope it doesn’t affect the brew to be.
2. Our original hydrometer sucked. We got it for $7.95 at PetSmart or some place just like that. It always read the highest reading possible. Ok, it is designed for aquariums but c’mon, I thought it was a pretty sweet pickup. As it turns out, Tom at The Thirsty Brewer Juices and Berries Emporium sells a completely effective hydrometer for around the same price. I will say that it is a bit void of directions however it only took a braintrust with a total 9 degrees to figure out that little guy.
3. Starting the syphon (in this case) equals being the first to taste Just The Tip Ale. We tried to use the “no mouth” method where you fill the entire hose with water and then quickly put one end into the carboy and lower the other end down to the bottle. That did not work… at all. I ended up having to suck on one end of the hose with the other end in the brew. Oh my goodness! I’m not going to say that Just The Tip was a success but I will say that I delayed putting the hose into the bottling pail for just a few seconds. It tasted suprisingly good. Its like something I’ve had before, although I can’t think of what that is. Maybe a Bass… whatever it is, once it hits your lips, its so damn good.
Continue reading Tuesday Morning Quarterback…
I have added our first truly learned mind to the rolls here at SFB! Please welcome Dr Buck who, now that I have created him a log-on will surely not post anything until he receives his next PhD (rumor is its going to be in Hop Growth and Care). Here are some of the ways that I can tell his advanced degrees have sharpened his intellect:
The clouds, a singular mix of grey, ball themselves in and out of tight fists that hang low over the quiet beach, if you can really call it a beach. It’s more like a ragged strip of sandpaper thrown down in a hurry to seperate the fields of pale green sea grass from the frothy ocean that is now, during this storm, the same ugly grey-black-green as the sky.
