My LHBS has raised pricing some on recipe kits, probably to the point where it's time to consider bulk buying of ingredients and a little more equipment. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Last two recipes cost me nearly $100. I can buy a lotta craft beer for $100. 1. How much malt...

Once in a blue moon between centuries, I have a small stroke of good luck. Normally, if it weren’t for bad luck, I wouldn’t have any luck at all. Today, I decided to resuscitate a 1986 Ford Thunderbird that has been dormant since 2009. Of course, the dead battery was the first contest. Not a...

I've been having sciatica issues for a long time, probably dating back to the early 2000's, caused by deterioration in my lumbar and cervical areas of my spine. Ain't genetics and DNA wonderful? Mostly the lumbar, which can be excruciating, but some in the arms as well, most of which was...

I keep seeing discussions about no-chill, so naturally, I'm intrigued and curious about 'no chill' techniques. I read where some just basically stop at flame-out and do nothing for X hours until pitching temperature is reached. That's great if you live in a cooler part of the country, or if...

For the sake of discussion, I'd like to get a few opinions about switching to BIAB versus loose grist mashing. First, some details: Currently, I do not have a separate mash tun, and really don't want another piece of equipment to add to brew-day cleanup. So, I mash in my kettle, drain to a...

Is it just me, or has anyone else bothered to make a Mash Complete Entry while boil timers were running? Probably been asked before, but couldn't find it. The entry page comes up, but, it won't let me edit any fields. IIRC, I went to the brew session and stopped all the timers on a previous...

To all those diggers that will never read these words, as well as those that do, thank you for your service and your courage. I’m a Yank, born that way quite by accident I’m sure, with an Aussie bride, so I still take a moment to contemplate and appreciate your selflessness and the price of your...

My LHBS is a great guy and all, but I really haven't been on my toes about watching my costs in this hobby, and tend to pay what he asks for a given recipe. Do any of you guys who purchase your ingredients online have any strong recommendations one way or another about who to buy from and...

This morning, at 9:30 AM, it was 65 degrees (F) outside, drizzling rain, and muggy. By lunch, up to 72F. We had temps in the 70's all last week. Tonight, at 22:30, it's freezing rain, sleet, and SNOWING. Then again, it IS January. Hey Canada, you can close the door now.

Sam Adams Summer Ale knockoff from my distributor's catalog. I like the Blue Moon knockoff, so he suggested I try the SASA. I just brewed it today, but without knowing I had the recipe kit, the missus picked me up a carton. I liked the lemon flavor in it, and Grains of Paradise is something...

Another recipe from my supplier. Low IBU, high alcohol, Belgian origins. Les Biere des sans Culottes. A little darker wort than anticipated from the extract brew, but I find that most extract brews seem to be a little darker than the calculator suggests. Recipe posted. Overdid it with...

Got the recipe from my supplier. I'm not game enough to mess up a bunch of malt to make pig swill yet. I'm still in the follow the recipe stages, with the possible exception of yeast recovery and repitch. This one will be a re-pitch of some White Labs English Ale Yeast that I used for...

Howdy from Helena Alabama where the water's harder than some rocks. What I've found, though, is that the high calcium content seems to make for a pretty good surfactant to help separate and settle beer though. I got into the 'hobby' last year after my step-son gave me a little one gallon batch...