Brewing

[KC9ECI]

So. Other than ham radio, one of my other hobbies is brewing. Got 10 gallons of Irish Red Ale going now.

http://i.imgur.com/iaWG4vmh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ayPAN5hh.jpg

I also bake bread.
http://i.imgur.com/wODdfGwh.jpg

I also enjoy the occasional Bloody Mary.
http://i.imgur.com/l20JixM.jpg

And for all of that, it still doesn't stop me from doing stupid things like building a redneck boombox.
http://i.imgur.com/w4MNsuk.jpg
It has a solar charge controller, small SLA 12V battery, dual USB port, and since the photo I've added a bottle cap remover and cap catcher. Currently in service on top of my desk bluetoothed to my Echo Dot.

[KG4CGC]

HOLY SHITSNAX! That's an awesome looking brew and the chorizo garden pickle Bloody Mary looks like the Breakfast of Champions!

One question: How's that little amp perform?

[KC9ECI]

Just fine. The FM radio portion isn't a great performer, but I really bought it for the bluetooth for when we're sitting around the campfire. It's also great for a beach day on the river. I think I paid $17 for the amp, $15 for the speakers. The rest I had laying around leftover or scavanged from other projects.

[KC2UGV]

Hats off to those who make beer. That shit is complicated. I do wine, and it is by far easier.

[KG4NEL]

I choose to be more on the consumption side than the production side. Luckily, I have friends who are :mrgreen:

[KC9ECI]

Oddly, I think wine making is a bit more complex than the whole beer thing. I do a little of that as well. I tend to go through a lot of Skeeter Pee in the summer. You'd be surprised at the reception you get when you show up on an island out on the river with a 5 gallon keg of the stuff on ice.

[WØTKX]

I used to make beer. And mead. I'm a big fan (but I rarely drink now) of dry crisp Weissbiers.

And oh man, the Dunkelweiss varieties are an amazing treat!

[KC2UGV]

Oddly, I think wine making is a bit more complex than the whole beer thing. I do a little of that as well. I tend to go through a lot of Skeeter Pee in the summer. You'd be surprised at the reception you get when you show up on an island out on the river with a 5 gallon keg of the stuff on ice.

Man, maybe I just don't get beer brewing then. I mean wine is:

* Take must, add yeast
* Stir shit out of must/yeast
* Wait 1 month, transfer to car boy
* Repeat until clear

Beer is like:
* Boil some shit, but not too much, or you'll kill it
* Add some hops, but not too much or you'll kill it. Oh, and make sure you add enough, or you'll kill it
* Add some yeast, but make sure you proof it right, or you'll kill it
* Wait a month, put it in bottles
* Add some sugar to bottles. Not too much, or you'll make explosive devices. Oh, add just enough, or you'll be drinking flat, bitter, alcoholic water
* And, at every step, sterilize everything, or else you'll infect it!

:P

[KC9ECI]

I skip the whole add sugar and bottle BS, I keg and force carbonate. Much easier, far more predictable results.

[KG4CGC]

I like the black, heavy porters. Thick with a full mouth feel and powerful malt notes.

[KG4NEL]

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7016/6793833043_bf0f94ea5a_b.jpg

[KC9ECI]

Porters are great but I like a good stout. Of late I've really been getting in to pale ales. I've got about 20 pounds of grain waiting to be crushed and turned in to that very thing after the new year. In March I was in the UK (yes, I took the KX3 and was on as M0KCE) and I was able to visit the largest beer store in England. http://www.beersofeurope.co.uk/britains-biggest-beer-shop

http://i.imgur.com/9y42vagb.jpg

I got the 30 beers in 30 days on untapped in less than a week. I'm going to attempt that again in February in Italy.

[KG4NEL]

England's largest beer store? Is it warm, bitter, and generally uninviting? :yum:

[KC9ECI]

You've met my wife then?

[KG4CGC]

duck rabbit picture

That's one I enjoy (in moderation ... of course)
[edit]: Correction. I prefer their milk stout.

[HUGH]

England's largest beer store? Is it warm, bitter, and generally uninviting? :yum:

Oh dear, this is typical of some comments made about British beer! What you forget is that it was invented (actually in Egypt) centuries before refrigeration and in Britain made to be consumed fairly promptly at cellar temperature. It uses different yeast to lagers which can be brewed in Autumn and then kept in an ice-cold cellar for later consumption. Britain does not have the same reliably cold winters.

Or was this meant as a joke?

[WØTKX]

^^^

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/0d/c8/86/0dc8868341d7e59e7f44789b23b5ec48.gif

[KC9ECI]

I've never had issue with the serving temperature of a pint in the UK.

[KC9ECI]

Spent a little time today making a set of mash paddles. One for me, one for another ham who also brews and is gearing up for his first all grain batch.
http://i.imgur.com/mB2x1hP.jpg