Lawrence Brewers Guild

Kevin, I have used both of the wyeast strains and they will both throw a fair amount of esters (pear with 1388 and dark fruits with 1762). Lower temps might restrain that character, but you will risk stalling at lower temps. I haven't used either of those WLP's before. You might just consider 1056 o...

Cranking the stir plate up can cause some problems. Just be sure that it doesn't heat up the wort too much and doesn't "throw" the bar (then you have no gas exchange). The volume of wort and size of the inoculate are the key to how much growth you get, higher O2 will get faster growth, and...

I hear a barbell shaped stir bar will work with a growler.
You don't need a whirlpool, just keep the solution circulating to provide O2 to the yeast.
jim

I think Andy is right, the problem could be wort composition, because it sounds to me like you're getting enough O2 into the wort for the OG's you're fermenting. Assuming fermentation temps are adequate. Are you using mash stabilizer (5.2)? You might check the thermometers like Andy suggested.
jim

First, let me understand what you mean by "low attenuation". To me, that means you're not getting as low an FG as you thought you would (the percent of potential yield of alcohol is lower than expected). That would possibly be caused by mashing higher than you thought, instead of lower, yi...

I've used these and in some cases they can be too long and will not permit the QD to push on far enough to lock. However, they can be modified easily by clipping off the bottom (one coil should do it) of the spring. They work fine then.
jim

Rob, I have some I got from Jason, so it's been around for a while, but stored in bucket with anti-ox. There's at least 10 lb, I think.
If you're interested let me know and I'll weigh it up.
jim

you can get real tri sodium phosphate at homedepot. read the content on other tsp products, not sure how they can even call them tsp. The phosphates are not good for my septic tank (or the environment, in general, due to stimulation of algae growth, like fertilizer). TSP 90 (sodium metasilicate) is...

HyVee has a generic "oxygen cleaner" without fragrance or chlorine. Mix 3 parts Oxi with one part TSP 90 and you have PBW.
jim

Lag time long, as noted, but finished quickly once it started. No off flavors. Pitched on yeast cake for another beer, took off quickly, then slowed. Finished OK, but not as flocculent as the first. Having trouble clearing, even with cold crash. Probably will stick with the tried and true for future...

I'd like a spare stir bar as well, please.
jim

Three left now.
jim

Your regulator will show less CO2 in the tank when its chilled. Serving pressure will vary with your system (length and diameter, etc). I only need about 4-6 psi for my system since I just push though one foot of tubing to a picnic tap. Your Hefe may want to foam since its a high carb beer. You migh...

Hefe's are in the yellow range, usually on the mid to upper end of the range, maybe 3-3.5 volumes. But, when you're carbing for Brewfest, keep it around 2.5-3.0. The system will be balanced for this level and we can't accommodate multiple different carbonation levels since we'll have all the beers h...

Got mine at the Merc, don't remember, but think they were raw and I didn't roast them.
jim