Brewing beer in a garage with Malcolm

Post by **GORDON** » Tue Nov 08, 2016 5:29 pm

Nope, if you lagered at cold temps (or whatever) then that part is done, just let it sit at room temp and carbonate at 70-75 degrees, or close to it.

Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » Tue Nov 08, 2016 5:32 pm

Old Man River let it ferment in his basement stairwell, so it's got two weeks of slightly cooler than room temp under the belt. I doubt it's been chilled.

Post by **GORDON** » Tue Nov 08, 2016 5:56 pm

I just let my ales ferment in the basement at 65-72 degrees (depending on the season), and carbonate at the same temps. Should be fine.

Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » Tue Nov 08, 2016 6:03 pm

Got the date set for brewing the cheapo American Wheat kit and the Apple Ale next.

Post by **GORDON** » Tue Nov 08, 2016 6:43 pm

I made a wheat beer once, probably the second worst tasting batch I've made. Just didn't care for the taste.

Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » Mon Nov 21, 2016 11:21 pm

Started an apple ale and American style stout tonight. Operation went more smoothly since old man river took a more managerial and less hands-on role. Remarkably, the two beers I thought were flops before -- liberty cream and autumn amber -- he had a few bottles in his fridge. Nothing else to drink so I cracked one. It was worlds better than the liquid ass I remember uncapping.

Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » Tue Nov 22, 2016 6:37 pm

Old dude says he'll spike the apple ale with a gallon preservative-free apple cider in a couple days.

Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » Fri Dec 02, 2016 6:57 pm

Bottling day is Monday or Tuesday. No word if the cider was actually added.

Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » Wed Dec 07, 2016 2:48 pm

Malcolm wrote:Bottling day is Monday or Tuesday. No word if the cider was actually added.

Word was received, cider was not added. Goddamnit. American stout is bottled, now carbonating. The apple ale (which clearly says "five weeks until ready" on the fucking kit) wasn't ready after two weeks, surprise surprise. Still fermenting away, going to check on it weekly.

Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » Wed Dec 21, 2016 9:31 pm

Stout has been chilled and is ready for consumption. Turned out a fuckload better than any previous kit or recipe. The aftertaste is a little bit sour, and I expect something smoother and more chocolate from a stout as far as malts go. I'm electing to let the apple ale carbonate for 3 weeks since it took 3 weeks to ferment. Won't be ready until after the new year.

Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » Sun Feb 12, 2017 11:39 pm

Started two brews that'll be two weeks old in the fermenter as of tomorrow. Boring kinds. Cream ale and American wheat, I think. It'll have another week to work as the old dude is out of town.

Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » Wed Feb 22, 2017 7:23 pm

Haven't had time to harvest beer. My buddy coordinates with Old Man Winter, who's been out of town. Anyhow, my buddy goes on an icefishing trip last weekend and loses his goddamned cellphone down the hole. Two hours later, one of the guys with him pulls the thing out of the water thinking it's a fish. Word is we're bottling on Monday.

Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » Wed Mar 01, 2017 3:24 pm

Beer was harvested Monday. Two weeks of carbonation.

Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » Wed Mar 08, 2017 8:44 pm

Next two batches are picked out.

#1 Lefse Belgian Blonde Ale

#2 I had the clerk jury-rig another apple ale. This one will be cider-flavoured, no extract.

Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » Mon Mar 20, 2017 7:17 pm

Batches are being brewed today.

Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » Tue Mar 21, 2017 10:25 pm

Going to put each through secondary fermentation this time. Adding the cider and juice in between primary and secondary.

Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » Fri Apr 28, 2017 12:28 am

One week into carbonation of the March 20th batches. One more to go. Thinking I'm going for a 2-3 month Belgian trip or quad next time. Something with balls. Maybe time it for October. Guess that means one more 4-6 week quickie job.

Malcolm · Post by **Malcolm** » Wed May 03, 2017 11:47 pm

Belgian blonde and new variety of apple ale are drinkable. Blonde is a saison up front with a pilsner aftertaste. Apple ale is awesome. Cider beats extract for flavour. 8.2% to boot.

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