Brewing In 2020

[MadBrewer]

This is a spin off of Berryman talking about trying something new this year which leads me to ask what is it that all of you will be doing or trying new in 2020? Every year I look back at my last year of brewing and think of something to try, improve, change, etc. I was busy selling and buying a house early last year into the spring, then spent the summer getting settled in but I managed to kick out 6 batches in 2019 once I got set up again last June. The changes and improvements I made last year were going no sparge and using the Robobrew system. This year I want to continue on that and my big change will be using liquid yeasts more often. I have been primarily a dry yeast user for all of my years of brewing aside from specialty beers and most lagers. Nothing wrong with that at all, I love dry yeast and it can do just fine for most beers, but I have tasted some nice improvement on certain beers with liquid yeast and better yeast habits. So that will be my big thing for 2020 is better yeast habits (starters, adding oxygen, etc).

[berryman]

Good topic MB. I am usually a dry yeast user, but sometimes when want something a little different and not saying better I will use liquid yeast and always do a starter. Have found better results with that and just got one going today for Wednesday’s brew day.



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[Beer-lord]

I've had the "Year of Yeasts" and the "Year of Malts" where I tried different liquid yeasts and many, many different malts. I'm still working some new malts in (meaning, ones I've not used before).
I agree that liquid yeasts are better for MY beer but I also think dry yeasts are better for many others. Over building starters and saving yeast is just too easy for me.
I also plan on continuing trying the latest and greatest hops when I can but for now, I have way too much hop inventory. And, I am always looking for ways to make my brewing process better but don't plan on any new hardware but the Tilt hydrometer that I just ordered and look forward to trying. This is a luxury purchase for me as it is so not needed!

[swenocha]

Last year was about kegging and getting back into the swing of a semi-regular brew schedule. This year I'll be further experimenting with this new electric brewing system. Thinking Kviek yeast will be experimented with, and I'd like to get back to doing some lagers again. So nothing crazy...

[John Sand]

My changes have slowed down at this point. I still brew almost all of what I drink at home, but I'm drinking less. In my first few years brewing I went from stovetop HMEs to outside BIAB, then to kegging and a ferm fridge. I have a top notch kettle, mill and chiller. Last year I made two changes: I used water additions for the first time, and I oaked a beer. Both were a success, I'll use those methods again where appropriate.

[berryman]

And, I am always looking for ways to make my brewing process better but don't plan on any new hardware but the Tilt hydrometer that I just ordered and look forward to trying. This is a luxury purchase for me as it is so not needed!

Would like a review on that, this is on my list on what I would like. I have a hard time reading my hydros anymore and think that would be a good thing. Yes not needed but this is 2020 now...LOL

[Beer-lord]

Sure thing. I probably won't brew for another week but I'll create a post just in case anyone wants to nerd out. It's certainly a pleasure toy and not needed but hey, when you're filthy rich like me with money to burn, why not?

[berryman]

but hey, when you're filthy rich like me with money to burn, why not?

If you burnt most of your dollars would still have more then rest of us but beside that point. I am interested in the tilt would rather hear about it here from the people I trust.

[FedoraDave]

I'm going to make more lagers than I did in past years. I have some good lager recipes, but only made two or three regularly. I could use every third or fourth batch for a lager, and not feel a pinch in the pipeline.

I'm also going to try my hand at brewing an IPL. Just to see what it's like.

[Beer-lord]

I'm also going to try my hand at brewing an IPL. Just to see what it's like.

I've got a very popular black, semi schwartzbier (sp) that some might think is a black IPL but I've got an IPL with a west coast hopping schedule I'm doing in a week or two. It might suck but it might also kick arse. You never know until you try it, right?

[FedoraDave]

Yeah, Beer-lord, that's my philosophy, too.

My recipe would most likely be a standard IPA if I used a yeast designed for that style. Instead, I'm using White Labs Mexican Lager yeast and doing a lager fermenting schedule in the low 50s. I'm just curious what the result will be.