Back to Brewing, and Mishaps

[John Sand]

Not as long as others report, but I haven't brewed for three months. Yesterday's batch was only the eighth this year. It was cool and very windy, but I had the time and ingredients. I made a Northern Brewer extract kit, Plinian Legacy. And in those three months I seem to have forgotten that things always go wrong. During the outdoor boil I went inside at times, to relax or prepare other steps. Twice the flame blew out. I do use a wind block of aluminum flashing, but it blew off. The second time I turned the heat way up to regain the boil, it almost boiled over. (I stayed outside for that, but did handle hops etc) After cooling, there were tiny brown flecks in the wort. I'm not sure if that is burned bits, or stuff that blew into the kettle. I did fish some leaves out. Afterward, while cleaning up, I left the hydrometer in plain water. It read 1.002, I never checked it after breaking my old one.
Well, compared to some past brew-days, this one was uneventful. At least I used the right hops.

[Beer-lord]

That's what makes brewing fun, right?
How many ounces of hops came in the kit (how many in the boil and how many dry hopped)? I've read they use different hops than Russian River but I've also read people love the kits.

[John Sand]

A lot of hops. 10ml hop shots+2.25oz pellets in the boil, 4oz hopstand, I think 5+oz dry hop in two doses.

[Kealia]

It isn't brewing if something doesn't go wrong - right?

Sort of on topic......I'm going to be making a run to Russian River over Christmas break to pick up some Pliny. It's been too long.

[Beer-lord]

It isn't brewing if something doesn't go wrong - right?

Sort of on topic......I'm going to be making a run to Russian River over Christmas break to pick up some Pliny. It's been too long.

Sure, brag about it why don't ya!


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[Dawg LB Steve]

It isn't brewing if something doesn't go wrong - right?

Sort of on topic......I'm going to be making a run to Russian River over Christmas break to pick up some Pliny. It's been too long.

You NEED to make it to Asheville AND bring some with you!!!

Back on topic Holy Hops Batman!!!
That is why I don't drink while brewing, I mess up enough without any help!

[Tabasco]

Not as long as others report, but I haven't brewed for three months. Yesterday's batch was only the eighth this year. It was cool and very windy, but I had the time and ingredients. I made a Northern Brewer extract kit, Plinian Legacy. And in those three months I seem to have forgotten that things always go wrong. During the outdoor boil I went inside at times, to relax or prepare other steps. Twice the flame blew out. I do use a wind block of aluminum flashing, but it blew off. The second time I turned the heat way up to regain the boil, it almost boiled over. (I stayed outside for that, but did handle hops etc) After cooling, there were tiny brown flecks in the wort. I'm not sure if that is burned bits, or stuff that blew into the kettle. I did fish some leaves out. Afterward, while cleaning up, I left the hydrometer in plain water. It read 1.002, I never checked it after breaking my old one.
Well, compared to some past brew-days, this one was uneventful. At least I used the right hops.

Northern Brewer is a good choice for malt extract.

[John Sand]

I have a bottle of Pliny for comparison when the time comes.
Another little question that arose: I re-hydrated and proofed my yeast for the first time. I used boiled and cooled water and some wort from the boil, likewise cooled to 100. Palmer says there should be a reaction after the wort is added, there wasn't. But I poured my hydrometer sample into the jar after decanting the yeast. This morning there was foam on that sample, so I guess the yeast was good.

[Beer-lord]

Pliny is soooo much different when fresh so try to get another one to compare yours too when done.

[Kealia]

I have a bottle of Pliny for comparison when the time comes.
Another little question that arose: I re-hydrated and proofed my yeast for the first time. I used boiled and cooled water and some wort from the boil, likewise cooled to 100. Palmer says there should be a reaction after the wort is added, there wasn't. But I poured my hydrometer sample into the jar after decanting the yeast. This morning there was foam on that sample, so I guess the yeast was good.

Sounds fine to me. How long was the wort added to the yeast before pitching? If it was quick maybe there just wasn't time for the yeastie beasties to start chowing down.

[kbenton00]

I brewed the same kit recently. I'm lucky enough to have an alehouse that I go to that has a new Pliny keg on tap every Monday so I could do a comparison. The Northern brew is a good beer but not the same as Pliny, at least according to my taste buds .

Regards,

KB

[John Sand]

Thanks guys.
Kealia, it was 1.5 hours before pitching. The foam is spreading atop the sample. I did not sanitize my hydrometer tube before testing, as I normally just discard the sample. But I think this is too soon for any wild ferment.
Kbenton, thanks for the input. I'll report my results.
BeerLord, Pliny is very difficult to get out here, basically only by trading a high cost. This bottle came from a California sailor friend. Maybe he'll bring more next time he visits.

[Kealia]

I brewed the same kit recently. I'm lucky enough to have an alehouse that I go to that has a new Pliny keg on tap every Monday so I could do a comparison. The Northern brew is a good beer but not the same as Pliny, at least according to my taste buds .

Regards,

KB

Are you Bay Area local?

[kbenton00]

I brewed the same kit recently. I'm lucky enough to have an alehouse that I go to that has a new Pliny keg on tap every Monday so I could do a comparison. The Northern brew is a good beer but not the same as Pliny, at least according to my taste buds .

Regards,

KB

Are you Bay Area local?

Yep... out in Livermore.
Regards,
KB

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[Inkleg]

Oh sure! Go meet up with the new guy Ron and just leave the rest us waiting to shake your hand and give you a hug like an old friend.

By the way, Welcome kbenton00. You will come to learn we are just one big dysfunctional friendly family with beer involved.