Adventures in Kegging

So I got my stout kegged over the weekend.  In the picture below I'm using the Co2 to flush the oxygen out of the keg before I fill it with the beer.  

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 This is a thermostat regulator that basically turns my chest freezer into a giant fridge.  I currently have it at 35 degrees.

 And here you can see the whole set up.  I have room to expand for at least three more kegs, and I could fit a 3 gallon in there as well if I mount the co2 on the out side.


The second keg that you see there is a batch of old fashioned cream soda I made to play with the kegs and learn the system before I ruined a batch of beer on them.  I think I have the carbonation all figgured out right and I'm glad I did this.  Also, who doesn't like cream soda?

HME Chocolate Stout.

Having little of the proper equipment I ventured to create a stout.  So first I needed a good fermenting bucket.  And I came across this 'Vittles Vault' pet food container.  I melted a hole in the top of the lid and screwed a fitting through to attach a blow off hose.  Which was pretty much over kill because I was doing a 5 gallon batch in a 10+ gallon fermenter.

Then I snagged a 2 gallon cheapo stainless steel pot that I had previously used for a sourkraut project.  Added in the ingredients and ran through the boil.  I also used a one cup coffee strainer to add the bittering hops.  It was a pain in the ass, but it worked.

And here is the final product.  Now I'm off to set up my kegs for some old fashioned home made cream soda while I wait on my stout to ferment.

Apple Cider

Seems I always forget to post as things are happening.  So once again, a little catch up.  Two weeks ago I bottled a batch of cider in 1/2 gallon growlers with a little raw cane sugar to carbonate.  I cracked one yesterday and it worked out pretty well.  I think it will carb up a bit more with further bottle conditioning.

 I kept this one real simple.  All it contains is three gallons of "pure apple juice" kroger brand.  Very important to make sure there are no additives or preservatives as they will kill the yeast.  And some Lavlin 1118 yeast.  Oh, and a clove. A little clove goes a long way with this sort of thing.  I left in it the primary for 4 weeks and then bottled right off the lees.

Now I need ideas for some dish I can serve mass quantities of cider with. 

Ahh, the holidays have left my wallet a broken shell of a receipt holder.  I have so much equipment I need to replace and nary the funds to make it happen.  So in the spirit of brewing against all odds, I placed an order with my favorite brew shop for the Quick and Dirty version of a Double Chocolate Stout.  Because who doesn't like it quick and dirty?  My lovely assistant is sure to enjoy this one, it being one of her favorites.  And I'm looking forward to playing with extract brewing because I jumped right into all grain when I started and never looked back.

On a side note.  If any one wants to contribute to the brewing equipment replacement fund, feel free to send me some FRN's on paypal at UncleAdrian85@gmail.com

Wishing you all a Merry Yule,
Uncle Adrian

Brewing Update

Wow, I can't believe it's been since march when I last posted. So much has gone on. I am now living in Texas and trying to get my brew set up rebuilt, so there should be a few good posts over the rest of the winter and spring.

Here is what I have going on now:
Chocolate Mead
Rose Mead
Brochette
Ginger Peach Wine
Apple Cider

All that is still in aging, and I hope to bottle in about 3 or 4 months. Taste tests are promising so far.

And my future plans revolve a bit around the kegging system I just bought from the good people up at Midwest Brewing Supply. It's a basic set up that I can expand on. Two Corney Kegs, one 5lb co2 and a double dual gauge regulator, along with a couple of picnic taps for now. Eventually I'd like to expand to a 6 keg system with a tower mount on top a freezer.

So right after Newyears I will be putting some cider in bottles and kegging the rest. I have the ingredients for a keg of old fashioned cream soda on the way as well for the kids and my lovely assistant. Then in February when I have my brewing set up all back together I have a Braggot and a chocolate stout in the the works.

I'm going to try to keep the posts updated more frequently, so please check back. Now that I'm doing more beer I should have pics more frequently.

"Sneaky"

Just popped the cork on a bottle of "Sneaky Mead".  Bottled this up back in 09.  It got the name because when I gave a friend a couple bottles, she asked me what it was like (never having had mead) and the only accurate descriptor I could come up with was "Sneaky". 

I am very happy with the way this mead has aged, the oak flavor mellowed out quite nicely.  Good subtle clover honey flavor with a hint of oak, semi dry and big legs.  Better look over your shoulder, because a bottle is all it takes to sneak up on you.

It puts the wort in the carboy or else....