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Message |
    
Paul Hayslett
Senior Member
Username: Paulhayslett
Post Number: 2942
Registered: 02-2002
Posted From: 76.28.105.249
| | Posted on Friday, October 07, 2011 - 04:45 am: | 
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I didn't brew much last year, and not at all after early March. But I've got 2 batches (SSOS and a roggenbier) queued up for Sunday and 1 (altbier) for next weekend. So I figured I'd spend tonight getting things ready: making starters, washing some equipment, finding bits that had walked off in the meantime, etc.
I've been at it now for 4 hours and I'm not half done. I can't find either of my brewing thermometers nor my measuring spoons. They probably ended up in the kitchen somewhere. Most of what I did find was absolutely filthy. There must be 3 cases of rinsed, but not really washed, bottles scattered about. Half of the extract powder I had intended to use in making starters had formed into a rock hard lump. Yeesh!
Obviously, long breaks from brewing are just not a good idea. Must be avoided from now on. |
dhacker
Senior Member
Username: Dhacker
Post Number: 2422
Registered: 11-2002
Posted From: 184.41.3.200
| | Posted on Friday, October 07, 2011 - 11:19 am: |
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Speaking from experience, you might make yourself a checklist of things that must be done when you are in the middle of a brew . . simple things like Whirfloc and yeast nutrient can easily go by the wayside the first batch or two after an extended layoff . . . |
Paul Hayslett
Senior Member
Username: Paulhayslett
Post Number: 2943
Registered: 02-2002
Posted From: 76.28.105.249
| | Posted on Friday, October 07, 2011 - 12:33 pm: |
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Good idea. Considering the current state of disarray, I'd probably forget to pitch the yeast. |
Paul Hayslett
Senior Member
Username: Paulhayslett
Post Number: 2944
Registered: 02-2002
Posted From: 76.28.105.249
| | Posted on Sunday, October 09, 2011 - 11:29 pm: |
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Well, it could have been worse, but it could have been better. Maybe I shouldn't have planned on doing two batches on my first day back in the saddle. Grabbed US pale malt instead of Maris Otter for the SSOS. Didn't realize it until I was putting the container away. (Yes, I know that the recipe EXPLICITLY says to use MO instead of domestic 2-row. Bummer.) Then had the mother of all stuck mashes with the roggen, something that never happens to me.
So, a longer day than expected, and a little frustrating. But it will still be beer. And probably pretty good beer. Sure felt good to be back in the game again. |
Bill Pierce
Moderator
Username: Billpierce
Post Number: 13284
Registered: 01-2002
Posted From: 24.150.49.181
| | Posted on Monday, October 10, 2011 - 01:27 am: |
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The longest I have gone without brewing was two years from 2003-2005. It seemed pretty much like riding a bicycle, although I admit I spent the previous evening going over the process in my head a few times.
Paul, enjoy your beer. The last I brewed was late June, and I'm planning a witbier for two weeks from Friday. |
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