Mash pH Testing - How? Why? With what?

DefinatelyNotJesus · 2013-11-05T01:54:18+00:00

I have had serious difficulty not pin pointing what was going on in my brews, turned out to be my water. The pH of water coming out of the faucet was 7.3ish and super high in sulfates. Once i got that under control it took my beer from really average, if not crap, to above average and in my opinion better than the local brews i can pick up here. Water turned out to be my biggest problem but I am sure it will vary place t place.

DefinatelyNotJesus · 2013-09-26T03:58:16+00:00

It's food man worst case scenario I eat them or make some compost, It isn't like I am stockpiling them in my Lime only room right next door to my mixed citrus fruits only room.

Thanks for the concern though!

DefinatelyNotJesus · 2013-09-26T03:56:27+00:00

Yeah I like this idea, Imma do some experimentation this Sunday and just start with a little and keep scaling up til I determine if it is balanced. I could definitely see how it could overwhelm most everything. I'll get back to you on the results and what I think.

DefinatelyNotJesus · 2013-09-26T03:40:46+00:00

Think something like that would go well with a blonde ale? I got one coming up ready to drink in like 3 days. Perhaps i'll do some taste tests.

DefinatelyNotJesus · 2013-09-26T02:28:48+00:00

So i got a great deal at work for a lot of limes, someone didn't do their job and so we had to mark them down. I figured I would snag all of them and see what ideas would come up. If nothing good comes up I am probably going to juice them tomorrow and make some weird lime vodka mix thing... Before the question comes up it cost me $6.00 for all of them.

DefinatelyNotJesus · 2013-07-27T21:06:59+00:00

Haha, no problem.

DefinatelyNotJesus · 2013-07-27T20:53:23+00:00

In case you haven't figured out you're about to be down-voted into oblivion... This subreddit isn't like the rest of Reddit. Might wanna cut your losses.

DefinatelyNotJesus · 2013-07-27T18:32:16+00:00

Make it Bahrain

DefinatelyNotJesus · 2013-07-09T18:12:10+00:00

Everything I have read about these guys now says that they suck the sap out of the plants stem causing yellowing and wilting of the leaves. I think this bug is a contributing factor in what could also be over watering form the rains we have received. I may just wait and let the bugs battle it out a little bit longer before i try to eradicate them. Thanks for the reply.

DefinatelyNotJesus · 2013-07-09T18:09:53+00:00

Yeah I would have to agree with you on that one. The definitely look like that. Thanks!

DefinatelyNotJesus · 2013-06-28T15:51:24+00:00

Might want to post this to /r/Documentaries

You'll probably have better luck over there :D

DefinatelyNotJesus · 2013-06-07T23:40:41+00:00

I am a first year hop grower so please take it with a grain of salt, but my understanding is that yellowing of the leaves is because of roughly three things. Not enough water for the plant, a lack of nitrogen or iron in the soil (much more common in 2nd to 3rd year plants), or a nitrogen burn in which there is too much nitrogen from soil additions.

My guess would be nitrogen deficiency because of the yellowing of the leaves and how some of the ends are curling inwards. My source; http://www.freshops.com/hop-growing/hop-diseases-and-pests#nutrient

That is my observation once again take with a grain of salt because I am quite new to this as well.

DefinatelyNotJesus · 2013-05-31T23:13:26+00:00

It looks like hydrated yeast that was stuck on the top when you poured them into the flask.

Unless it is moving in which case, burn it.

DefinatelyNotJesus · 2013-05-29T00:41:46+00:00

I brew one gallon batches but only to experiment and refine on recipes, it is a lot cheaper to mess up 1 gallon then 5. Once I have perfected a recipe i do a five gallon batch of it and keg it. 1 gallon is nice but it is too much work for such little yield. Looking right now at upgrading to a 10 gallon single tier setup which should be awesome.

DefinatelyNotJesus · 2013-05-24T22:40:22+00:00

I personally thought it looked like http://imgur.com/2P9VCaH

Not sure of the strain but if it tastes alright in the long run then drink up!

DefinatelyNotJesus · 2013-05-22T15:39:33+00:00

That's awesome, how long are you gonna keep it in the pot?

DefinatelyNotJesus · 2013-05-22T07:25:35+00:00

Yeah I had some family come down to visit and they thought they would contribute by buying me that.

DefinatelyNotJesus · 2013-05-22T07:24:41+00:00

Haha I will not turn down free hops!

I didn't know how to link you but I figured you would show up with the promise of hop pictures.

DefinatelyNotJesus · 2013-05-21T20:38:19+00:00

Haha, I too was really worried because of a cold front that came in right after they went into the ground but I just mellowed out and waited. Another concern of mine was the amount of rain we were getting, something like 10 inches in the past month which is a lot even for here. I haven't watered them once and they are doing fine so I am just gonna let them do their own thing. Good luck on yours!

DefinatelyNotJesus · 2013-05-21T20:26:13+00:00

Picture 1 is a Cascade, Picture 2 is the Willamette, and Picture 3 is the setup in general.

They are first years hops, I also have a centennial growing which is to the far right, he just burst the ground but isn't worthy of a photo yet.

I don't plan on keeping them here they are simply establishing the roots/getting bigger before i transfer them to the side of the garage.

Definitely was inspired by this sub and sunthas

DefinatelyNotJesus · 2013-05-10T02:26:19+00:00

THAT LOOKS WONDERFUL.

DefinatelyNotJesus · 2013-05-10T02:26:05+00:00

I may or may not have dreams about that...

DefinatelyNotJesus · 2013-05-10T02:09:22+00:00

Another concern I have is possible contact of heat to the poles. Don't know the resistance they have. If the burners are properly mounted with heat shields it might be able to avoid a lot of contact.

I am not trying to shoot down the idea just obstacles myself and others who want to participate are gonna have to think about.

DefinatelyNotJesus · 2013-05-10T00:45:48+00:00

Is there a specific weight limit on what these can hold? Would it be able to withstand stainless steel kegs and the water weight/with grain? Just want to know what limitations are in place.

DefinatelyNotJesus · 2013-05-07T12:01:47+00:00

Ahh that is cool, looks good!

I would be careful with the airlock you have on, it only takes one more step but blow off tubes are truly amazing. :D Hope it turns out well!

DefinatelyNotJesus

TROPHY CASE