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To brew or not to brew?

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 6:08 am
by FedoraDave
That is the question. Whether tis nobler in the mind to brew a fiver on Sunday morning and then schlep to Brooklyn to see the daughter's new digs, or push it off a week.

Yeah, I couldn't do this whole post in iambic pentameter, so here's the deal.

I usually brew every Sunday, and I'm kegging a fiver of 2Daves Irish Red on Saturday. This will fill all three of my kegs, and I had thought I should skip a brew week because then I'd probably have to bottle the next fiver. But I may not; it looks as if I'm about halfway through the keg I'm currently tapping, so in three weeks, it'll probably be empty.

But we are going to Brooklyn in the afternoon, and maybe I should just take it easy in the morning and push it back a week. That'll give me more of a cushion with the keg, in case I don't tap it out, and I'll be relaxed and refreshed for traveling and visiting and oohing and ahhing over the new apartment.

So yeah. I'll push the whole rotation back a week. No big deal. And it'll mean I'll have Saturday off before brewing the fiver, which means I'll be a little better rested anyway.

Re: To brew or not to brew?

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 7:37 am
by Beer-lord
I wish I could brew every week......usually try to brew every 2-3 weeks but I've not brewed since mid December and feel lost. So, I'm brewing 2 over the long, Mardi Gras weekend just because I can. Temps should be in the mid 60's so that's perfect for me.
My feelings are, if you feel a tiny bit stressed about brewing with other things going on, just fahgit bout it for a week and you'll have something to look forward to next week. I like to take my time and not rush and knowing I have nothing that needs to be done when I brew does make it all the more enjoyable for me though that does seem to be rare.

Re: To brew or not to brew?

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 8:28 am
by Dawg LB Steve
Brew Saturday and bottle Sunday. Will have more time to relax Sunday with bottling than brewing.
:clink:

Re: To brew or not to brew?

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 8:30 am
by John Sand
I get anxious to brew when it's been a while, or when I'm excited about a new recipe. But sometimes I have to remind myself that it's not an obligation. If I have plans in the afternoon, I put off the brew to avoid rushing it.

Re: To brew or not to brew?

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 8:49 am
by RickBeer
Dawg LB Steve wrote:Brew Saturday and bottle Sunday. Will have more time to relax Sunday with bottling than brewing.
:clink:
THE HORROR, THE HORROR! Somehow I think Dave's nature is not to move things around like that.
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Re: To brew or not to brew?

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 8:58 am
by jimjohson
imho go for the "keg cushion" option

Re: To brew or not to brew?

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 12:59 pm
by DaYooper
Personally, I have no idea what I am going to do this weekend. Have Peak's Pike in the secondary and ready to keg. I thought that would be my last non-HME batch in a long time since I will be pressed for time with the upcoming move. However, I have just enough time to get one more batch ready and in the keg so I have something on tap, as I am sure the one remaining keg I have at home that I did not ship up with my parents will be kicked. However, the only day I have is Sat or Sun, and they are saying real-feel temperatures are going to be about MINUS thirty degrees. Earlier in the week my front large stove element shorted, burning holes through one of my favorite stainless steel pots in seconds, so even indoor pre-warming is out. I hate to say it, but I see myself sitting outside in this COLD trying to get a full volume to a roaring boil....

Re: To brew or not to brew?

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 2:10 pm
by FrozenInTime
Brew baby brew!

Re: To brew or not to brew?

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 2:14 pm
by RickBeer
People, people. Forget the weather forecast (it will be -15 here plus wind chill). It's Valentine's Day. If your main focus for Saturday is either brewing or bottling, you need to re-examine your priorities. I'm thinking a few Stouts or Porters by the fireplace, SWMBO and I, and .................................

Sorry, no pics. :muahaha:

Re: To brew or not to brew?

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 2:18 pm
by myhorselikesbeer
If there are no pics, it never happened. :o

Re: To brew or not to brew?

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 3:53 pm
by Rebel_B
FrozenInTime wrote:Brew baby brew!
Repeat!

Re: To brew or not to brew?

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 8:12 pm
by FedoraDave
Dawg LB Steve wrote:Brew Saturday and bottle Sunday. Will have more time to relax Sunday with bottling than brewing.
:clink:
Well, there are some serious problems with this suggestion.

First, I'm working Saturday, and then we're going out to dinner (partly for Valentine's Day, although we're not really the hearts-and-flowers types; it's mostly because we have a coupon for Applebee's, and we'd like to use it). Add to this the fact that I have no ingredients with which to brew, so I'd have to go to the LHBS on Saturday afternoon.... There just isn't time to brew.

Then there's the fact that the carboy I'd be using for that batch is the one that needs to be kegged. And I'm not going to rack to a secondary for one day, just to free up a carboy.

I may keg on Sunday morning, since it takes so little time, but the logistics aren't right for brewing on Saturday anyway.

Re: To brew or not to brew?

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 8:42 pm
by philm00x
The answer is... beer.

Re: To brew or not to brew?

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 9:03 pm
by berryman
As much as I also hate not to brew when I want too, I would skip this weekend with all of what you said is going on. Get everything ready and go for it next weekend. I have a 3 day weekend coming and am going to brew a batch Mon. I have brewed beer every Presidents Day since I've been brewing and use a patriotic theme and try not to open one until the 4th of July. This year I'm doing a Big Ben Tavern Ale again (have brewed this before). And I know Ben Franklin was never president, but should have been and will be drinking it 7/4/15. :woot:

Re: To brew or not to brew?

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 5:56 am
by Dawg LB Steve
With that much going on this weekend, I'd pass then.
:clink: