I just missed you that day, saw John later on.

Are those hops made into beer yet?

An Thanksgiving stout perhaps?

kach, Art gave me a nice bottle of very limited Bells Sparkling Ale. As in, in-house limited.
Not sure if it should even be cracked or not, but saving it for an occasion.

Here's my set-up that may interest a few here:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1385497267.jpg


I tried homebrewing about twenty years ago and met with nothing but frustration after frustration...off flavors, bottles blowing up, kegs over carbonated, etc.

This past winter I looked into opening a micro-distillery and visited one in Indiana...great experience, but turned out to be too $$$. I was really impressed by the technology of the grain brewing and wondered if anything had changed in the homebrew arena...boy has it.

I was looking for a system that functioned much the same way as the distillery and found a guy that open-sourced this set up...full directions and links of where to buy the parts...all at no charge. Spent a few weeks putting it all together and bingo...new hobby! :)

Every day is an occasion for a beer drinker.

In lieu of drinking non-gluten / gluten-free beer I've found that Guinness Stout works in moderation.

Most beers puff my belly up, I feel and look like Santa Clause after just a few sips.

Wow, Rick ... what a cool setup you have there!

George, the hops that John gave me went into the IPA that I brewed a few weeks ago and is in the keg right now. You can drink mead or beer made from sorghum if you need to avoid glutens. I can't drink alcohol, so I brew it for family and friends. I may brew a stout and a wheat beer this coming weekend. It's cold in the garage, but that's where my natural gas burner is and I have to keep the doors open for obvious reasons.

I love the 6 tap keezer! I'm still using the "ghetto" picnic taps on 3 kegs, so you have to open the freezer to draw a beer. I'll work on that this winter... I have 22 kegs that I'm using and I still have 6 left to finish reconditioning. I did my 1st BIAB (brew in a bag) and we'll see how that one turns out, it seems like it's going to be good!

Budweiser makes a nasty sorghum based beer Redbridge (by Anheuser-Busch).

The only gluten free free I like is by Omission. They make a Pale Ale (a bit bitter), and a Lager (sweeter) - I like the pale Ale better, it's crisper.

5 Gluten-Free Beers That Are Actually Worth Drinking
5 Gluten-Free Beers That Are Actually Worth Drinking | Food Republic
I have also found other low acid dark beers agree with me (besides Guinness), but again moderation and frequency are key. Negra Modelo settles well with me too.

thanks all for the memories.

I used to push 20 gallons of finished wort through my 3 tier all grain system every weekend or two. Grew my own hops, really got into different kinds of liquid yeast flavors.


I think my max was about 10-11% content. That was 2 beer nap time stuff.

For hot summer beer, I made a Corona Bitters once, using rice as the starch source instead of cracked grain.

Kegging, the only way to go, or just rack/bottle directly into 2 liter clear plastic coke/pepsi bottles...........that works great and is perfect to take to a friends house weeks or months later.

:)

I just finished off the last keg of Pliny the Elder that was just north of that...whew;)

One thing I learned early is that I really need to do the calculations (brix et al) to know what the ABV is...I think it was the second batch I was brewing this summer, about 100 degrees outside and I got tired of running inside for the bud/miller/lite during the sparge/boil, so I figured, "Hey, I've got all the beer I need right here" and proceeded to slake my thirst with several glasses of a blonde ale...

woke up at about 3 am in the downstairs bedroom wondering how I got there...(did get the yeast pitched tho :))

aza, I am jealous of your kegs!! My next step is to try to acquire as many as I can find...I'm planning on putting together a cold room for long-term storage/lagering etc.

I get my drinking water at a place that filters water...20 gals/week.
One day a guy came in and filled a ton of 5 gal. jugs...said it's the best water for his brewing ventures.
Is that true?...the water?

Don, water chemistry can make a difference in the beer...some beers are known by it (Pilsners from Pilsen, Chech., eg). Some folks have to add salts to their water, others may have to dilute...there are several different sites that can help with the calculations.

I was on TV!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9J9W2vpzrg&feature=youtu.be

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/J9J9W2vpzrg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Very impressive, Art!

I just bottled a holiday ale to be ready for our Christmas party.

When my Son gets out of the Navy late next year him and I want to get into brewing, we may be in touch with you :)

I didn't know you were brewing for so many years!

You know we are in the beermuda triangle! Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Holland

Thanks, guys! Besides the cheesy intro and closing "music", I like the way the video turned out. I've been brewing a lot lately and I'm happy to be back into it. Craig, I'll help you and your sen get started, it's easy and fun!!

Thanks, Tim! Let us know how the holiday ale turns out!!

I bottled a batch of Black Lager last Sunday. I always make a special brew for Christmas gifts to friends and family. The rest of the year I make beer for me :D

My latest in the fermentation chamber. 20 gallons of a Belgian style Strong Pale Ale. It should finish out right around 9.5% ABV. Use pilsner malt, all noble hobs and trappist yeast for this one. It's a bit hoppy and has a very clean and crisp finish.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1385669228.jpg

Next brews in the pipe next week are an Imperial Stout and then a double IPA. I really need to get a couple 27 gallon conicals, it's getting old splitting up 20 gallons into 5 gallon carboys and conical.

Azasadny is SO GOING TO LOVE his secret santa present.............I got picked a good 'un this year. (guess not so secret of his sender now)



SmileWavy




Burp.



Home Brew Beer = heavenly nectar of the gods.




Thank you Prez Carter, for making it legal to home brew beer in 1976?



Legal notes, max 200 gallons a year, and he who pitches the yeast is the owner of the beer, no yeast = only sugar water.



Secret Santas are the bestest beer drinking buddies.

Have to ask, your limited on how much you can brew legally so are their records kept? Are you audited? Or is it the honor system?

Thanks, guys! Dave, I can't wait until Christmas AM!! I've never had anyone in a legal capacity ask how much I've brewed in the 20 years I've been doing it. If you sold it, I imagine someone would be at your door very quickly...

The beer went over very well today!
 

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1385692499.jpg

The three beers I brought to the Thanksgiving dinner at my wife's family were very well received!!

Awesome! Nice work!

Thanks! I brewed a Bell's Two Hearted Ale clone this evening. I put in on top of the yeast cake in the fermenter from the Fat Tire clone that I just put into the keg and it started actively fermenting in less than 2 hours!

Are you doing BIAB Art? I tried a few times but couldn't hold the resting temp and had trouble with hot/cold spots in kettle while brewing. I got frustrated and went back to buying bottled beer. :) Extract brewing was easy but just
never tasted up to snuff.

This is awesome guys. Love a good beer.

As you can see I in my signature, I am used to brewing, but only to distill it.

Would love to start brewing, and am sure buying a kit here in the US is cheaper than back in Denmark.

Question: what to buy to get started and where?

Sorry for the intrusion.

Jesper, Thanks for the note! Visit your local homebrewing store and they'll get you started. There are many online places to get supplies and gear, but nothing beats the local store for good advice and troubleshooting...

Last night's brew session...
 

Last night's brew session... Bell's Two Hearted Ale clone...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1385865822.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1385865862.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1385866056.jpg


I took my better half to a local meadery today and she sampled the fantastic meads...http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1385866124.jpg

My 1st BIAB
 

I did my 1st BIAB (pics are posted here, from last Friday). Things went very well and the bag fit tightly over my 10gal brew kettle and it didn't slip... My kettle is very thick stainless steel (Polarware kettles that are 20 years old), so the heat was relatively easy to control and temps stayed where I wanted them.

Brew in a Bag (BIAB) pics...
 

Here are the BIAB pics from a few weeks ago. My numbers were spot on and the beer is in the keg, settling now before I chill it and hit it with CO2...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1385953070.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1385953170.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1385953199.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1385953236.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1385953267.jpg

I'll be brewing an American Wheat beer on Friday and I've started the yeast tonight. I'll probably do an extract instead of BIAB until I get a large enough strainer to hold all of the grain....

Fermenting away...
 

Two Hearted IPA clone fermenting and dry hopped ... ready for the keg tonight...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1386349398.jpg
The gear...http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1386349422.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1386349452.jpg
Honey wheat fermenting...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1386349466.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1386349497.jpg

Very Cool (pun intended) glass carboy heating bands!


Art, you've been having WAY TOO MUCH fun lately and a great batch of photos is tugging at me to get back into brewing.


You have my full permission to open my Secret Santa present early my heartily burping friend.

Me thinks you'll like.

Now send me some beer dammmit.

Dave,
Thanks! I'll open the package tonight when Beth gets home. The heating bands are on my Mr Beer plastic fermenters as I don't use glass carboys. I have 22 Corny kegs that I really want to fill prior to my upcoming shoulder surgery. I'm getting back into brewing and I got a bunch of friends interested, so I'm keeping very busy, which is good!

I keg all of my beer but I'm going to figure out a way to bottle some and get them to you! Thanks again!!

Good work Art! I seem to recall that you don't drink beer right? If so you must really have a passion for brewing to brew as much as you do and not enjoy the fruits of your labor.

I kegged 20 gallons of my Belgian Strong Pale Ale today. Should be fully carbonated by tomorrow. It finished out at 9.3% ABV so it will be a nice winter warmer.

I have two more brews lined up before the end of the year, an Imperial Stout and Double IPA.

Prost! http://forums.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/wat6.gif

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1386351648.jpg

Kerry,
Great work there! You're correct, I cannot drink alcohol due to a medical condition, so I brew for the love of the process. I really enjoy the brewing and watching others enjoy what I make, or should I say, what the yeast has made"? I'll take some pictures this pm of me racking a batch to the keg, and brewing another batch. I bet yours are excellent!!

"He shallth for now on be know as Friar Art, thee noble non-drinkith of the village, for the sake of sharing his nectar of the gods with thee fellow Pelicans"

I now bestow upon you said Knighthood status Squire Art, kneel before thee Pelican Brain Trust, and accept thy well earned honor at the round table of beer-dom.

Thanks for posting Art that is great stuff. Makes me really miss brewing but at this point in my life extra time for brewing hard to find ..and Sierra Nevada is easy to come by.:)

Tonight's brew... ginger wheat beer
 

Tonight's brew... ginger wheat beer. My FIL and a friend came over to watch and drink a few of my beers...
Beth getting the ginger root ready for the brew...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1386390560.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1386390623.jpg
FIL (seated) and buddy... enjoying a cherry wheat beer of mine...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1386390661.jpg
Ginger wheat in the fermenter...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1386390699.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1386390731.jpg

Thanks, Dave... I'm honored!! I really enjoy brewing beer for family and friends. I like teaching others to brew, too.

Ginger wheat is fermenting away!
 

The Ginger wheat we brewed last night is fermenting away!http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1386433259.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1386433273.jpg
The Honey wheat that I brewed on Wednesday...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1386433323.jpg