Lagers, Ales and Stouts.

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alan s
RIP 2010
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Joined: 26 Jan 2001, 15:53
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Lagers, Ales and Stouts.

Unread post by alan s »

Following on to this:
http://www.andyspares.com/discussionfor ... hichpage=2
A trick used out here to control the temperature in cooler months that it's claimed is a failsafe and economical methos is to sit a lead light inside an old disused refrigerator. It takes a bit of trial and error, but usually about a 40 watt globe will do the trick. As a precaution, if the sensor of a thermometer is placed inside, it means a constant check can be kept on the temp particularly through daylight hours when it is more likely to get a bit higher.
The logic is that being insulated and closed, the temperature should remain fairly constant. I haven't used it but have heard of many that have.
My problem is usually the opposite; I've had batches I've put down that have gone from adding yeast to bottling in 4 days. Left until 6 on one occasion and the entire batch was rotten.[:(]
If you can get hold of Coopers stout made with 1KG of proper brewing sugar (Malthodextrin)or Dextrose and bottled using Dextrose so as to avoid the taste of siomething the tom cat just did, you'll find after a month of maturing, you'll have a Stout that I have heard the Irish compare with and some claim better than Guinness. I was once given a variant on the standard recipe by the head brewer at Coopers that I stored for about 6 months and over and then I had a couple of Cit owner visitors, most of who usually didn't drink stout. For non stout drinkers, they didn't leave much behind; they were rapt in it!!
If in doubt on your suppliers ability to stock, drop Coopers an e-mail as I'm sure I have seen somewhere a list of Coopers distributors in the UK.
I brew with rain water but suspect you guys wouldn't have access to as pure a source as I have & may have to look at 'Spring water' would I be correct?
Alan S
oilyspanner
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Joined: 26 Oct 2003, 16:08

Unread post by oilyspanner »

Speak for others I live in Wales. its continually pissing down, our water is amongst the finest, my homebrew is very drinkable........hic,,,,
:D
Stewart
alan s
RIP 2010
Posts: 2542
Joined: 26 Jan 2001, 15:53
x 6

Unread post by alan s »

Well, it looks like you can expect regular visits from other Andyspares/Cit owners if that's the case as I have read previously that one of the biggest drawbacks to home brewing over there is the lack of a supply of contantly good quality water.
"Beware of Cit owners carrying pales" might be the catch cry.[:D][:D]
Alan S