Re: WHATS BREWING??

[PetenNewburg]

  It's been a while since I've done a all grain, so next up will be the Grolsch clone I never got too.  I'll start the prep work in the morning.
  Grains are ground, all ingredients are measured and bagged, starter ingredients prepped!

[wvbrewer]

Never tried Grolsch beer yet.  I seen it in the store, but thought I had too much beer at home to buy anymore at the time.  I got to get some bottles open for that sout, or get up to the store for more bottles.  I am debating on buying more EZ caps or using regular bottles.. What do you think?

[PetenNewburg]

  I guess it's a question of whether you can keep all of your bottles or give some away.  The Grolsch will go in the Grolsch flip tops, though I'll bottle a six pack or two in 12oz bottles for gifts .. etc.  I have a boat load of 12 oz bottles ready for final rinse and bottle though it would make for great presentation with the flip tops for those Special brews.

  I am really happy with the 5 gallon kegs.  My lagering( chest freezer) box holds 8 kegs, the refrigerator in the garage holds 5 kegs, 4 tapped.  I have 6 converted lids for kegs so I can use them as secondary fermenters, or just store Ales in the basement.  I have a half dozen brews in the works that I want to bottle, everything else will be kegged.  It's just SOOOO much easier and less time consuming!  I have a dozen kegs, I intend to buy eight more.  That way I can brew for several month's in advance.

  We go through an average of 1 - 2 cases per week, more for special occasions.  If I brew thirty kegs a year + a dozen cases we would not need to buy beer except when going out.  I'm going to make a portable Keggerator for Car Shows, Swap Meets and Vacations.  It will hold 2 kegs & 20lbs of ice.  I'll use the little co2 catridges for carbonation.  We go through some brew at the shows & swap meets!!  There is 6+ guys for 5 days & nights!  At the All Ford Nationals last year we killed 10 cases & two bottles of vodka!  Not to mention 10 pounds of chicken wings, steaks, venison, sausage, scrapple, eggs, hot sausage, hot dogs, hamburger, and various types of fish.  Last year I brought 20lbs of Mahi-Mahi fillets I caught last Spring off the North Carolina coast.  Yup, that's a eat & drink feast!

Cheers!!

[wvbrewer]

Sounds like a good time is had by all.  I mostly have a beer here and there myself and share with her dad.  The wife does not drink much anymore. She can not handle alcohol after she adominal surgery a couple of years ago.  I was wonerding if beer keeps better in the flip tops or the capped bottles?  Since I don't drink them fast

Dave

[PetenNewburg]

  I would think as long as the seals are good it should not matter.  With the metal caps there is a std cap and a oxygen barrier cap.  The cheap caps are $0.02 each, the "special" caps are $0.04 each.  I have some of each, I'll try 6 of the cheap caps on the Kitchen Sink Stout, the rest with the other caps, set them aside till next fall and see if there is a difference.  I'll also do a few up with the flip tops.  Some flip top seals I have are silicone, some are rubber, may as well test that too!