re: Homebrewing: In-Process Thread

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The whole Ice bath thing seems dangerous, unnecessary and complicated.

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I do that all the time. Always have. I have an old metal washtub i fill with 4 bags of ice and water. I place the kettle in there, and then run a 50' immersion chiller in the wort, that is connected to a 25' immersion chiller that is in an ice bucket that i fill with 2 bags of ice. The water runs from the small chiller, cools down, hits the large chiller, and chills the wort.

This speeds up my wort to chill time rather quickly, which has been the point. And right now, that ice bath doesn't do much. That was my initial methods of chilling wort when i first started. Took a very long time to get to pitching temps (over an hour). The current setup takes about 15-20 minutes, even during the 95 degree heat.

I understand what you are saying, as I am chilling to fast to gain any of the hop oils in the brew.

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I'd be willing to bet that the ice bath is borderline ineffective. Keep using your chiller and pre chiller. That's plenty. Save money on ice.

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I'd say that's probably accurate. The stainless brew kettle I have is pretty thick walled

BR Brew at the Zoo says they've made a bunch of improvements for this year's event.

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Our first-ever Brew at the Zoo last year was a WILD time, and we want to say thanks to not only all who came, but all who provided us with their feedback afterward! We were listening and have been working hard to make the following additions/improvements to Brew at the Zoo this year.

FASTER CHECK-IN –This year we’ll have additional lines open and guests will be permitted to check-in beginning at 5:30. Please note that those checking in before 6 p.m. will not be allowed into the event area until 6 p.m.

EASIER WAYFINDING – TILT, our awesome design team, have been working with us to develop elevated signage for each booth so they’re clearly labeled and easy to see over the heads of other guests.

BETTER LIGHTING – We’ve more than tripled the amount of lighting than we had last year, including adding lighting for under vendor tents!

MORE SPACE –The footprint of Brew at the Zoo is spreading! This year, we’ll be extending the event further down into the Zoo to include Realm of the Tiger. Our tigers and siamangs still have to go to bed after dark for their beauty rest, but they’d be happy to have you come wish them a goodnight while you enjoy your favorite brew.

MORE/BETTER VARIETY OF FOOD –Our committee has been hard at work this summer in recruiting more restaurants and chefs to participate in Brew, and our veteran sponsors have generously agreed to bring more servings each. Our partners to date are listed below, but we’re adding more every day! Know a restaurant that might be willing to help out? Let us know at info@brzoo.org.

One thing that will remain the same? It's the event you won't want to miss this year and all the proceeds help support YOUR Zoo. Don't wait to buy your tickets, last year SOLD OUT!

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I have. Room temperature is how I make my lager starters. You're aware you need bigger pitches for lagers correct? I ask because you're talking about pitching it 24 hours after making the starter. For 5 gallon batches of lager I'm making the starter for a few days because I'm building up the starter. Unless you're using that gigayeast.

I highly suggest authentic German yeast for Oktoberfest. I like the Bavarian lager and the Bock strain over the actual Oktoberfest strain.

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Room temperature is how I make my lager starters. You're aware you need bigger pitches for lagers correct? I ask because you're talking about pitching it 24 hours after making the starter. For 5 gallon batches of lager I'm making the starter for a few days because I'm building up the starter. Unless you're using that gigayeast.

I highly suggest authentic German yeast for Oktoberfest.

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German yeast is what i'm going for. So i've briefly read up on stepping up your yeast. Typically my starters are 4 cups water to 1 cup DME. So if i'm thinking correctly, I'll make my starter, then in a couple days make the same amount of wort and add to that starter. Do i need to do it a 3rd time, or is 2 additions of starter wort sufficient?

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BR Brew at the Zoo says they've made a bunch of improvements for this year's event.

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These all sound like great improvements over last year.

I didn't think the food was that bad last year. I just remember there were long lines waiting on stuff to be prepped and a TON of trash generated by it.

Glad these guys finally came around on the homebrew donations I'm really looking forward to this event.

I'd drink it



I don't know anything about Apollo but you can't go wrong with the others

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I don't know anything about Apollo

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Honestly, I don't know much either.

I bought some for a Heady Topper clone recipe and had 2 ounces extra that have just been sitting in my freezer.

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Got a taste of the IPA you brought my brother.... Well done

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Glad you liked it.

That one has a bit of age on it now, but your brother said it still has some really good hop aroma and flavor to it. I think the oxygen free transfer process I'm using now has really helped increase the longevity of my hop forward beers.

btw the IPA I'm brewing this week will probably end up at his place after our clubs IPA meeting. I also have an american barleywine I need to get you.