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1500 questions
8
votes
5 answers

Should I always use a starter?

I like using a starter because it seems like it cuts down on the fermentation time, but do I really need to do it for beers that are under 1.070 OG?
CLJ
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8
votes
2 answers

Is there anything I need to keep in mind if I double a recipe?

I found a recipe that I would like to try, but it is for a 5 gallon batch and I want to make a 10 gallon batch. Is there anything special that I need to keep in mind or calculate when doubling a recipe or is it a straight up x2 conversion?
Joe Lencioni
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8
votes
11 answers

Is there an online equivalent of Beer Smith?

Simple question, does anyone know if there is a purely web based equivalent of Beer Smith / Brew Target, etc? Just looking for a decent product that I don't have to install on my desktop.
Jason
8
votes
6 answers

Any good iPhone/iPad apps for brewing?

Looking for recipe formulation, IBU/SG calculations, brewing timers, inventory control, etc. A bonus if the app renders my iPhone waterproof(wortproof).
Tim
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8
votes
3 answers

Does krausening make for faster conditioning?

After reading this article on krausening, I began to wonder about using it to speed up the production of big beers. The article states that introducing fresh, active yeast will "clean up" the beer. Does anyone have experience with adding actively…
Rich Armstrong
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8
votes
2 answers

What styles should encourage me to learn water chemistry

I've been brewing all-grain batches for some time. With my water source, I'm generally getting good results across multiple styles. To date, I haven't done much with water chemistry. Which styles of beer will customizing my water chemistry make…
Jim Rush
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8
votes
5 answers

Do campden tablets expire?

I have a few campden tablet left over from a mead I made 10 or so years ago. Are they still good? Do the lose efficacy? Edit When I google the subject, I find lots of links saying, Throw them out after 6 months. or They should be good forever. I'm…
djs
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8
votes
2 answers

Brett: Primary or Secondary

What are the differences between fermenting a beer solely with Brettanomyces (or some blend of sour yeast) versus adding it to the secondary after primary fermentation with a non-sour yeast?
hookedonwinter
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8
votes
2 answers

Sterilisation processes when taking hydrometer readings

When taking hydrometer readings, is it acceptable to return liquid to the fermenting vessel after taking a reading in a vial? Must the vial/measuring cylinder and hydrometer have been sterilised to make this an acceptable practice?
fearoffours
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8
votes
3 answers

Life expectancy of swing-top bottles

I started brewing less than a year ago. In that time I've acquired about 60 swing top bottles, and filled about 200, I estimate I've filled each bottle less than 5 times. The last batches I made were a biere de Garde, an ESB and a Xmas ale.…
David Liam Clayton
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8
votes
5 answers

Refractometer vs. Hydrometer

For years, I've always taken my gravity readings with the hydrometer that came with my original homebrew kit. There's nothing wrong with it, but I've been thinking lately about switching over to a refractometer. While I enjoy tasting the progress of…
zeethreepio
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8
votes
7 answers

How do you sanitize the outside of your racking cane?

I'd love to hear the creative ways which folks have come up with to sanitize the outside of their racking cane. Sanitizing the inside is straightforward - siphon some sanitizing solution through the cane, then let it sit for a while. Getting the…
Pete Hodgson
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8
votes
2 answers

Malt flavor profiles

Does anyone know a good comprehensive resource to compare different base and specialty grains and their resulting flavor profiles?
WayneTheTrain
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8
votes
4 answers

Starsan in double bubble airlock keeps getting sucked into fermenter - why and how to prevent?

I did a brew on Saturday and cooled, got in the fermenting bucket and added yeast, added starsan to the chamber in the double bubble airlock and got it under the stairs. Ever since then, the starsan gets sucked into the fermenter, fairly quickly as…
Rich Prag
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8
votes
4 answers

What is the best book for beginning wine makers?

What is the best book for beginning wine makers? ** Please post 1 book per post, then the resulting votes will show what most people consider to be the best book.
Kyle Boon
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