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HOMEBREW Digest #0597
This file received at Mthvax.CS.Miami.EDU 91/03/15 03:15:00
HOMEBREW Digest #597 Fri 15 March 1991
FORUM ON BEER, HOMEBREWING, AND RELATED ISSUES
Rob Gardner, Digest Coordinator
Contents:
Cu (CONDOF)
Calculating Bittering Units...Thanks (Speaker-To-Bankers)
Re: Sassafras in stout (Carl Hensler)
Wort chillers and 1/4 inch tubing (Mike Zentner)
Spruce beer (Ultra Network Technologies)
Spruce beer (Jeff Benson)
More on Moss (Aran Guy)
CFJ hops, plastic bottles (Russ Gelinas)
Vegetarian Beer, Cornelius as Primary Fermenter (hersh)
Re: Alcohol-free beer (Chris Shenton)
Hebrau (krweiss)
lots o' topics (longish) ("KATMAN.WNETS385")
Re: Fermenting in Kegs (Chris Shenton)
IBU - Copper tubing (Dave Suurballe)
"washing yeast" ("st. stephen")
Send submissions to homebrew%hpfcmi@hplabs.hp.com
Send requests to homebrew-request%hpfcmi@hplabs.hp.com
[Please do not send me requests for back issues]
Archives are available from netlib@mthvax.cs.miami.edu
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Date: Thu, 14 Mar 91 02:00 PST
From: <CONDOF%CLARGRAD.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU>
Subject: Cu
Lately, a lot of people have been posting messages fearful of
copper cooling tubes. The traditional brewing kettle is made of
copper. For example, Sierra Nevada, one of the best micros in
America, if not the world, brews and lauters its brews in a pair
of copper kettles that came from Germany. Therefore, I think
no one has anything to fear from contact between copper and
beer or wort.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 14 Mar 91 7:44:14 EST
From: cmorford@umbio.med.miami.edu (Speaker-To-Bankers)
Subject: Calculating Bittering Units...Thanks
Thanks to all who responded to my question...
I don't know why it hadn't occurred to me that the AAU utilization
wouldn't be 100%....Brain dead I'd guess....Or maybe too much of
this great Pale Ale....
Anyway, thanks again...
C.Morford
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 13 Mar 91 14:30:29 -0800
From: carl@ism.isc.com (Carl Hensler)
Subject: Re: Sassafras in stout
When I was a kid in West Virginia (40+ years ago) I pulled up
sassafras saplings and peeled off the skin of the roots for my
Grandma, who made sassafras tea with it. Great aroma!
I recalled this with both nostalgia and alarm a few years ago
when I read an article (probably in Science News) that reported
that sassafras root contains a known carcinogen. I would not use
sassafras as a flavoring agent.
In complete honesty, I should also note that my Grandma lived to
the age of 89, and did not die of cancer, not that that means
anything.
Carl Hensler
carl@ism.isc.com
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 14 Mar 91 09:16:21 -0500
From: zentner@ecn.purdue.edu (Mike Zentner)
Subject: Wort chillers and 1/4 inch tubing
For anyone reading the recent discussion on wort chillers made out of 1/4"
OD copper tubing, I'd advise not to do it. Go with something a little
wider.
Has anyone else who used 1/4" OD tubing had the problem of a very slow
(counterflow, not immersion) wort chiller? I built one of these, and
found that when initially starting it up, the cold break material
falls out so quickly that I had to bang on the thing to get it to start
flowing all the way through. After that, flow did not stop, but it took
a good 45 minutes at least to chill a partial (3lb grain, 6.6 lb extract
bock) grain batch. It took even longer with our 16 lb honey mead.
You don't think about the increase in viscosity of high-sugar solutions
upon cooling, but that mead took forever to get all of it through the
chiller. I'm using gravity feed, and the hot reservoir is about as
high above the chiller as ceiling constraints will allow, and it's still
very slow. I'm going to rebuild it with 3/8" OD, like most books
suggest.
Regarding stainless steel tubing...copper is expensive enough when you're
talking about 3/8" or wider. I have not noticed any metallic flavours in
the worts that have run through my copper chiller, even with the extremely
long contact time.
Also, as far as sanitizing copper, I'd reccommend baptism by fire as the best
method. I ran a quick test for about a day. I soaked little sections of
refrigeration tubing in 1)a water solution, 2) a solution of B-brite, and
3) a bleach solution. Basically, nothing happened to the one in the water
solution. Also, there was no discoloration on the BBrite sample, but it
developed a disgusting musty smell. On the outside, the bleach sample
appeared normal, but looking at the inside, there was plenty of the
quite recognizable oxide material. So, during my boil, I've been bringing
an additional 2 gallons of water to a boil and running it through
the system (in the absence of cooling water, of course) first, before
the wort.
Mike zentner@ecn.purdue.edu
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 14 Mar 91 8:44:19 CST
From: ultra1@poplar.cray.com (Ultra Network Technologies)
Subject: Spruce beer
Eric Roe indicated the following in HBD 596:
>> Well, now that I've eliminated the idea of using sassafras in my stout I
>> want to try some other exotic flavoring. Since spring is almost here and
>> I've got a Norway spruce in my backyard, I figured I'd harvest a couple of
>> ounces of sprigs. Anyone got any advice. Should I steep it or add it to
>> the boil. How much should I use -- in TCJoHB there's a recipe for a beer
>> called Kumdis Island Spruce Beer. Papazian says to use 4 oz and boil for
>> 45 minutes. Anyone tried this or something similar? Thanks much for any
>> words o' wisdom.
I've made spruce beer an annual spring tradition in my brewing practices.
I've found that everyone that I have given it to has liked it (including
Shelly Jacobs - local big shot and all around beer guzzler). I did however
find one interresting comment in some old literature that said something
about spruce beer being quite tasty once you get used to the taste of
terpentine.
I used one of Charlies beers to base my recipe on but I don't recal the name;
I do remember that Charlie described the flavor as tasting like Pepsi if that
helps at all.
Anyway, the beer I make is a brown beer that uses similar amounts of spruce
new growth (candles) to Charlies and also uses a bit of hops. I'll try to
remember to bring in the recipe if you are really interrested.
Different trees produce different flavors. I think that you will find getting
4 oz's of this stuff will require you to use many trees or to defoliate the
one in your backyard! (I made 40 gallons last year so I did lots of triming).
When the product is done you will taste a strange bitter flavor that is
nothing like gin nor hops. Suck on one of the new growths and you will get
a slight incling of the taste to come. I've found that the beer lasts awhile
but I think it is best if drunk within 9 months. I still have some around
from last years brew and it has changed considerably. It is lots drier and
much more bitter then originally.
- --
Jeff Miller ultra1@cray.com (612) 333-7838 Ultra Office
Ultra Network Technologies jmiller@ultra.com
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 14 Mar 91 9:23:33 CST
From: Jeff Benson <benson@chemsun.chem.umn.edu>
Subject: Spruce beer
In HD 596, Eric Roe asks for tips on making spruce beer. Here's my
experience with spruce.
My brew partner and I used Papazian's 'Kumdis Island Spruce Beer' recipe
as our guide, though it wasn't exact (I don't have my notes in front of
me). I recall we used about 4-6 oz of fresh spruce tips and only the
new growth at the end of branches (the part that appears in the spring
and is a lighter green than the rest of the branch). Our rationale was
that the new tips would be less bitter than older, more mature branches.
(Whether that's true, I don't know). We placed the spruce in the boil at
the start and left it in for about 30 min., then scooped it out (total
boil was about 60 min.). The rest of the brewing cycle was pretty
normal.
The resulting beer had a rather intimidating amount of spruce flavor.
The spruce completely overwhelmed the hops and nearly the malt taste as
well. It had virtually no head, probably because of the spruce oils.
This is not to say it was undrinkable, but those who tried it had
the proverbial love-it-or-hate-it reaction. Those who didn't like it
really hated it and those who liked it had a sort of religious
fanaticism over it and would always ask for a bottle when they visited.
Personally, I liked it but it wasn't something I wanted to drink every
day, just when I was in the mood for it.
Here's what I would do different next time. 1) Use less spruce. We
definitely put in too much. I would try only 2 oz next time. 2) Put
the spruce into the boil at the end, say the last 10-15 min.
Alternatively, steeping the spruce separately would probably work as
well. 3) I would like to experiment with different species of spruce
tree (I think the sprigs we used came primarily from blue spruce) to see
which produces a better spruce flavor. Also, I'd like to compare the
taste from more mature spruce branches with those of new shoots.
Perhaps I'll split a batch some day and experiment a little.
Jeff Benson
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 14 Mar 91 07:45:45 PST
From: guy@bevsun.bev.lbl.gov (Aran Guy)
Subject: More on Moss
Irish Moss is called Carageen or Carageenan. It is an extract of
seaweed harvested off the coast of Ireland. The traditional method
of harvesting as carried out by the Aran Islanders involves raking
the seaweed into a curragh. ( A boat consisting of a thin framework
of wood coated with hides or canvas, and periodically tarred to provide
some semblance of waterproofing.)
The seaweed is dried on the public quay and then ferried to the mainland
for processing.
Since carrageen is used in many food products as a thickening and
homogenizing agent, factory ships are now usually used to harvest and
process the carrageen.
Guinness is the largest single purchaser of carageen in the world, so
it is quite a proper ingredient for homebrew.
Aran Guy guy@bevsun.bev.lbl.gov
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 14 Mar 1991 10:40:12 EST
From: R_GELINAS@UNHH.UNH.EDU (Russ Gelinas)
Subject: CFJ hops, plastic bottles
CFJ-90 hops are very high AU hops (10+). The name has changed
to Centennial, at least that's what Freshops had in their 1990
harvest. I haven't used the Centennial hops (yet), but I'm
thinking about SN pale ale too, so maybe I'll use them on that.
I was *very* happy with the results from the CFJ-90 of last year.
A warning about 2-liter plastic bottles: I've had a few bottles
that did not carbonate. The caps seemed to seal ok, and other
exact copy bottles *did* carbonate. All I can suggest is to make
sure the platic-rubber seal inside the cap is pliable, so as to
make a good seal. Maybe if it is too old and stiff, it loses it
(much like a rubber Grolsch-type seal).
Russ
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 14 Mar 91 11:35:32 EST
From: hersh@expo.lcs.mit.edu
Subject: Vegetarian Beer, Cornelius as Primary Fermenter
Isinglass is from fish bladder (who ever thought of using this stuff anyway??).
Irish Moss is a type of seaweed, strictly vegetarian.
I am very careful about this as my brother is an uncompromising veggie and
he'd never let me forget it if I served him a non-veggie beer.
Main disadvantage to doing primary in the Cornelius is the sediment. All that
stuff sinks to the bottom, thus being the first stuff to get pumped out
through that narrow tube. The tube gets easily clogged though since it is so
narrow. If you siphoned out if it you might be OK. I know of some peple who do
their secondary in the Cornelius and have cut off the bottom of the tube so it
stays above the yeast level which is lower for secondary. Some of them do use
the inline filtering you mentioned. I too have been considering trying primary
lagering in the cornelius, but I have a 3 gallon carbouy and think I will
probably do the primary in that, and do the secondary in the cornelius.
My friend Jeff who runs the Modern Brewer in Cambridge Mass., now sells 50ft
Stainless immersion chillers for ~$55. This has fitings on it. His number is
1-800-SEND-ALE
Jay H
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 14 Mar 91 11:56:42 EST
From: Chris Shenton <chris@endgame.gsfc.nasa.gov>
Subject: Re: Alcohol-free beer
On Wed, 13 Mar 91 14:58:17 EST, malouf@acsu.buffalo.edu (Rob Malouf) said:
Rob> When enough pressure is applied to the beer, alcohol and water
Rob> molecules will pass from it into the pure water, and can be pumped
Rob> away.
What do they do with it, throw it away?? :-(
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 14 Mar 91 08:51:11 -0800
From: krweiss@ucdavis.edu
Subject: Hebrau
Justin Aborn asks:
==============================
Is kosher beer possible? I thought idea of observing un-leveness
(sp?) was to remind people of the suffering the Jews endured
during their exodus from Egypt across the desert.
==============================
There's Kosher, and then there's Kosher for Passover. Only during Passover is
yeast excluded from the diet. Otherwise, we could never eat pastrami on rye
with a cold pilsner, and I'd have no reason to go on living.
Ken Weiss
Manager of Instruction
Computing Services
U.C. Davis
Davis, CA 95616
916/752-5554
krweiss@ucdavis.edu
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 14 Mar 91 16:50 GMT
From: "KATMAN.WNETS385" <6790753%356_WEST_58TH_5TH_FL%NEW_YORK_NY%WNET_6790753@mcimail.com>
Subject: lots o' topics (longish)
Date: 14-Mar-91 Time: 11:47 AM Msg: EXT00667
Hello there! I'm new to this discussion, but am getting ALL SORTS of good tips
& ideas.
On sulfites in wine & mead: Even if you do not add sulfites, some are produced
in the fermentation process. You will note that they say "No sulfites ADDED" on
wine bottles. There was a nice discussion of "organic wine" making in the last
_Wine Spectator_ that talked about this.
On kosher: there are some commercially produced kosher beers (maccabee from
Israel, Coors (!) ), so it is possible. I called one of the certifying
organizations (718-756-7500) and asked about doing it at home. The rabbi
suggests doing everything yourself (malting, etc) as you have more control over
cleanliness. That is the main requirement, cleanliness. The food being
processed on the ground is ok if it is clean. He also said you should check
that the yeasts you use are certified kosher, just to be sure. Isinglass and
gelatine are right out. There are no kosher for Passover beers, as the
restrictions there are on adding yeast, using grain, etc. There are no kosher
for Passover vodkas, for example, except those distilled from fruit. There was
a nice article recommending good Kosher for Passover wines (apparently not a
contradiction in terms) in yesterday's (Wed.) NY. Times. I'll post some
recommendations if people are interested.
On timing and Mead: Like wine, if you want an interesting Mead, expect it to
take longer. I have a friend who makes mead that is ready to drink within 6
weeks of bottling. It is sweet, he adds no acids to it, and many people like
it. Another friend makes a pop-like mead that he puts in beer bottles in the
fridge, and it is ready quickly as well. He doesn't let it finish fermenting,
and gets lots of bubbles. If you follow recipes in Duncan and Acton, adding
powdered citric, tartaric, malic and tannic acids, expect it to take at least a
year (if not more) after bottling to be near palatable. You will get something
very wine-like after a few years of patience.
On women and beer: (This is MHO) Being a woman and coming from a
non-beer-drinking family, I was first exposed to (commercial) beers at college
frat parties. I never really liked the stuff, but learned to drink it. The
problem for me was bitterness and a lack of real taste other than that. Once I
started trying imports and then homebrew I learned that I like darker, more
flavorful (and less bitter) beers. I still don't like lagers much, even
homebrewed they remind me of Bud et al. For some people learning to like beer
is a lenthy proposition... certainly commercial stuff is not easy to love on
average. Also, there has been an image problem. The image of a beer drinker is
that of a guy in a t-shirt on the couch (with his large tummy) burping and
watching the game. Women are less likely to identify with this image. This
perception does seem to be changing, but still, beer is marketed at men, not
people. Look at the ads. Men on the boat with bikini clad babes, college guys
going to the game, grizzly bears, rams, bars filled with men. I'm not saying
beer advertising is more sexist than panty-hose ads, but it is a marketing
ploy: target your consumer. Women do drink less beer than men.
On Brew-pubs: (again MHO) I want to go to a place that I can find good beer and
that my friends will have fun. We don't need dancing and wildness, just an
interesting crowd and good company. I am slowly introducing them to beer from
micros and homebrew, but it takes time. Old habits (I'll have a miller lite)
are hard to break. Having a brewpub with a few commercial beers would be good
for business. I'll go, my friends will go, it will be fun, they'll be exposed
to good brew, and the owner will profit. A pub can't survive just from
regulars, it needs walk-ins as well.
Eileen (Lee) Katman == Thirteen/WNET == New York, NY
=Do not= use REPLY or ANSWERBACK, it doesn't get to me.
INTERNET katman.wnets385%wnet_6790753@mcimail.com
MCIMAIL EMS: wnet 6790753 MBX: katman.wnets385
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 14 Mar 91 12:09:27 EST
From: Chris Shenton <chris@endgame.gsfc.nasa.gov>
Subject: Re: Fermenting in Kegs
On Wed Mar 13 10:38:53 1991, semantic!bob@uunet.UU.NET said:
Bob> For the blow off tube:
Bob> Remove the CO2 inlet as to leave the threaded nub. Then a
Bob> piece of 1/2" tubing can be slipped over and held tight with
Bob> a clamp. Works great.
Seems like the diameter of the CO2 tube and hole would be too small to pass
much gunk, especially hop leaves. (Same problem which convinces people to
use 1 inch diameter tubing for blow-off.) Have you had any problems?
Also, are you primary-fermenting in the keg? what do you do about all the
trub? or do you transfer from your boiler in a way which leaves it all
behind?
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 14 Mar 91 11:02:30 PST
From: hsfmsh.UUCP!suurb@cgl.ucsf.EDU (Dave Suurballe)
Subject: IBU - Copper tubing
C. Morford has a problem with International Bittering Units.
I haven't verified that .000133 oz per gallon is in fact one part
per million, which is what one IBU is, so there may or may not be
a problem there.
The glaring error is in the equating of alpha acid concentration
with isoalpha acid concentration.
Alpha acids do not suddenly and completely isomerize. It takes time,
and not all of the alpha acid isomerizes. The most common figure I've
seen for a 60-90 minute boil is about 30%. (If you boil for five minutes
only, you get about 5% isomerization, and that's why aroma/flavor hops
don't contribute much bitterness).
Therefore, if you multiply your 112 by .30, you get 34, which looks better,
but is pretty low for an IPA. Maybe you've got other arithmetic
problems here, or maybe you don't like your IPA too hoppy.
In the same HD issue, Bruce Hill's buddy worries about hot wort in copper.
Use your head, Bruce Hill's buddy! Have you never seen a copper kettle
in a brewery? I don't think you have anything to worry about. I have
heard that you shouldn't run carbonated water (obviously this applies
to finished beer) through copper, and I have never learned why. Someone
once surmised that the carbonic acid dissolves copper. Maybe we already
have enough copper in our diet. Maybe it's a plumbing concern: you don't
want to erode your tubing. Whatever the answer, it doesn't apply to
hot wort.
And another thing. I'm sure copper is better in a heat exchanger than
steel. Conducts heat better, right? It's also easier to work with.
I have used copper tubing in wort chillers for ten years, and I see no
reason to change. I'm a little curious about what the inside of the
tubing looks like since I never clean it. I just rinse with boiling
water before and after use.
Suurb
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 14 Mar 91 18:25:10 EST
From: "st. stephen" <ST402836@brownvm.brown.edu>
Subject: "washing yeast"
Howdy,
Some one recently posted some tips for making better beers. First off,
thanks for the info; as a beginning brewer any info i can get is much
appreciated.
The post talked about reusing yeast in the trub from a beer start
another beer, ie culturing yeast (right?). The post talked about
"washing the yeast". What does this mean? I'm thinking of trying to
culture yeasts (to cut down on the cost of Wyeast, and because it looks
like fun) and so i'm trying to understand the whole process. Any comments
would be helpfull. Thanks,
steve
------------------------------
End of HOMEBREW Digest #597, 03/15/91
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