Denimglen's Comments

Hey Denim - no problem sending you a bottle or two, if you want to try yankee-style porter. Just drop me a line at my "stu" soba.org.nz email. Cheers Stu.

Hey DG - I found the braid in the kettle to be a bit of a PITA, slow to filter with hop pellets (probably worse with whole), sharp, and annoying to take apart and clean. I wound up using a hop sock with it which solved the first prob but not the others.

Now I use a stainless elbow and copper dip tube inside the kettle and pick up from the side rather than the middle so a whirlpool works really well. I have a new filter on the end which is essentially a stainless mesh tube secured by a ss hose clamp. I am still using the hop sock, not brave enough to try it without yet!!

I have been following your progress with your brew stand, looks awesome!! Where did you get the stainless from? What size is it, and how much was it if you don't mind me asking? I'm quite keen to do something similar but I'm in a gathering parts phase at the moment...

What else are you putting on your kettle? Sight glass, thermowell? I haven't done anything other than pick up tube as yet.

I used one of these on the end of my dip tube http://painthose.net/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=71

Its about 12 cm long and I got it from Wagner Spraytech in Neilson St for $19. It does a reasonable job with break without a whirlpool, but I wouldn't trust it with hops. I crimped one end closed and secured the other to the tube with a hose clamp.

I have been looking at Mico Metals for the stainless and its $30/m for 38 mm by 1.2 mm square tube and ridiculously expensive for 50 mm by 1.5 mm. Might have to look at 33 mm.

Have you got your QDs yet? Where are you getting them? I have some stainless camlocks but the hose tails are too restrictive so flow is a bit slow. I might change them for QDs...

What are you using burner wise? Or are you going electric? I have a 3 ring burner but I can't get a really vigourous boil with 30+ litres.

Wagner Spraytech had paint strainer bags when I was there. I'm using a nylon bag from Brewers Coop that I hang into the keg.

You can probably get away without the filter on the dip tube if you're using a hop sock, the plate chiller should be able to handle break.

Thanks for the info about stainless, I'll keep looking around. I have also thought about mild steel and powder coating it but I have no idea if it will handle the heat. There are other options like header paint to consider as well I guess...

My keg sits on concrete blocks about 10 cm above the burner, I've found that's about right for max flame/minimum soot. I recommend a few trials before you settle on your design. Wind shielding is another important consideration because my burner hates the wind. I will be looking for a better burner for my kettle on my stand, the beerbelly ones look pretty awesome but pricey too.

Wagner is right next door to HCD so I might bump into you while checking out QDs :)

Do you know how thick the SS you used is? I'd like to use 1.2mm if possible to save on cost but not sure if its strong enough. Best price I've found so far is $108 for 6m lengths of 38mm square tube 1.2mm, $40 more for 1.5mm.

You probably won't need all 4 rings going for your mash but will for HLT and kettle. My 3 ring heats 21L sparge water from tap temp to 80oC in about 45 mins. Are you going with a gas distribution manifold/plumbing or seperate tanks for each burner?

Hi Glen

I noticed you are in Auckland, when are we going to see you at a SOBA meeting?

Which suburb are you in?

Hi there,

Thanks for offering me that hop, my email address is dale@dale.co.nz

Cheers
Dale

Thanks as well... email me and let me know what day suits for a trade. I'll come out and meet you if you like.

jo.wood@xnet.co.nz

Ill take that refrac off you

Cheers

hey mate, not sure if this is of interest to ya...

http://realbeernz.ning.com/forum/topics/2nd-nz-case-swap?page=1&commentId=1500433%3AComment%3A23542&x=1#1500433Comment23542

no worries, I just like to keep the comments going especially where they are fun, and a good discussion.

Price is relative, and a $20 six pack has they same number of standard drinks as a $20 bottle of wine. Most people can afford the best beer in the world, but not so with wine.

Good to hear buddy, just post up that youll be in, then we can all vote on a date... Its looking to be either end of Feb to mid March some time, give us all a bit o time to get our shit sorted...

Cheers

Thanks for the headswell bro.

Id half the Caramalt / crystal additions if you are going for a US style IPA. Total of 250 grams. Just use your UK malt to make up the difference. As far as the hops go, it looks good - but you have to dry hop it afterwards. You can keep the hop bill you have chosen - then additionally dry hop with 60-100 grams of pellets (if you have them). Amarillo is the bee's knees - so is Simcoe (if you want to use it).

I will be brewing a standard APA tomorrow with:

Golden Promise: 4.8kg
Caramalt: .2kg
Nugget: 30g 60mins 11.6 AA
Simcoe 25g 10min 12.3
Amarillo 25g 10min 8.6
Amarillo 25g 0min 12.3
Simcoe 25g 0min 8.6
Amarillo 50g Dry Hop
Simcoe 50g Dry Hop.

Total IBU 75g Ragar

If you're not a hop fiend - dont dry hop it - but true to style means that you have to put half the hop bill into the dry hop portion (rule of thumb).

Let me know what you think.

Dropping the Crystal is up to you though... 500g total seems like a lot! You have to mash at like 65 if you wanted to keep that grist. The whole idea is to finish at 1.012 any more than that, and it'll be too sweet.

Take a look at this

I brewed it up on the farm for my brother on New Years. It finished at 1012 and Daniel recons it smells like sweaty oranges! He thinks it is one of the best brews I've ever done! The Carapils was for head retention but I didn't really want to use it.

Maybe you could go 100g of Crystal and 250g Caramel.

Waddayareckon?

That beer sculpture is a thing of beauty...How the hell do you plan on feeding enough gas to the 3x4 ring burners mate?

Go for it Bro - all those hops are the shit! You want the most skunky smelling hops in your dry hop: the freshest would be the best. Centennial is WAY more citrussy than the spicy colombus. I'm a massive fan of citrus - so I'd tend to lean towards centennial. And then I'd dry hop with Centennial too! (But thats me). Columbus has a similar profile as NZ Cascade IMO so that would be a cheap sub.

1.070 = go for it.
100IBU go for it!

Cheers bro!

Just go quote. Shipping will be free if it's just that.

Are you coming along to the Kumeu today bro?

Cool! I can come round for the kegging cerimony if you want... I'm in the A Land for a fortnight.