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	FORUM ON BEER, HOMEBREWING, AND RELATED ISSUES
		Digest Janitor: pbabcock at hbd.org


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Contents:
  Re: Traveling with HB ("Greg 'groggy' Lehey")
  Q: Diacetyl rest after transfer? (leavitdg)
  Water Analysis ("A.J deLange")
  RE: Traveling with HB ("Keith Anderson")
  Decent digital thermometer ("Keith Anderson")
  Mash Run-off Issue (gates)


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Date: Fri, 2 Jun 2006 14:22:48 +0930
From: "Greg 'groggy' Lehey" <grog at lemis.com>
Subject: Re: Traveling with HB

On Monday, 29 May 2006 at  8:26:39 -0700, Keith Christian wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I am flying to SF this week and I'd like to take some of my beer
> with me.  Will I have problems bringing it with me in my carry on
> baggage?

I don't know.  There are some strange laws in the USA, but I think
they relate to sending beer by mail.

I've had bad experience with carrying beer by air, though.  I took
some from Australia to Finland last October, and though the beer was
perfectly clear on departure, it was very cloudy on arrival and took
several *weeks* to clear again.  I don't know how it tasted, since it
didn't clear until after I left.  After that experience I haven't
tried again.

> I am only staying the night and I will not need to bring a large
> suit case.  I guess I could, if needed.

If my experience is typical, you won't be able to enjoy the beer while
you're there.

Greg
- --
Finger grog at lemis.com for PGP public key.
See complete headers for address and phone numbers.


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Date: Fri, 02 Jun 2006 05:34:59 -0400
From: leavitdg at plattsburgh.edu
Subject: Q: Diacetyl rest after transfer?

I got lazy, and wish to transfer a pils, and do the diacetyl
rest after the transfer into secondary.  Anyone have any thoughts
on this?  I will re-use the yeast today.

Happy Brewing!
Darrell



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Date: Fri, 02 Jun 2006 11:32:33 +0000
From: "A.J deLange" <ajdel at cox.net>
Subject: Water Analysis

RE Bob Hall's water analysis:

Starting at the top - the pH itself is not very informative. A value as 
high as 7.8 tells us that the water is probably not from a well but 
rather from a treatment plant which adjusts pH to increase the longevity 
of its distribution system. The Total Dissolved Solids is exactly that. 
A sample is evaporated and the residue remaining is weighed. 
Conductivity is proportional to the amount of dissolved solids and the 
types of things dissolved because some ions are more "mobile" than 
others. Neither the TDS or the conductivity are particularly valuable 
bits of information to the brewer.

The cation/anion ratio is the ratio of positive to negative electrical 
charges measured in the sample. As the sample is obviously neutral the 
numerator and denominator should be the same. The fact that they are not 
reflects the omission of some anions and cations (e.g. strontium, 
nitrate, ammonium, nitrite and phosphates) and errors in measurement. 
This ratio is a sort of quality control value on the test you paid for.

Sodium and potassium levels are low and this is good because those ions, 
while not particularly beneficial, can spoil flavors and dictate the 
styles of beer that can be brewed in excess because they cause a salty 
taste. Where a salty taste is desired supplemental table salt or "co 
salt" (potassium chloride) can be added.

Low nitrate signals that the water is free of agricultural runoff and 
the low iron number is good because iron lends metallic flavors to beer.

The meat for brewers starts with the calcium (43 mg/L) and magnesium (10 
mg/L) numbers. The calcium amounts to 43/20 = 2.15 milliequivalents per 
liter hardness and the magnesium to 10/12.15 = 0.82 for a total of 2.97. 
Fifty times 2.97 is 148.5 which is (rounded to 149) the total hardness 
as specified.

Calcium hardness of 2.15 mEq/L will "neutralize" 2.15/3.5 = 0.614 mEq/L 
alkalinity and 0.82 mEq/L magnesium hardness will take car of 0.82/2/3.5 
= .117  for a total of 0.731 mEq/L. Multiplied by 50 this is 36.6 ppm as 
calcium carbonate. The total alkalinity is reported as 98 thus 98-37 = 
61 ppm as CaCO3 will not be neutralized. This value is the residual 
alkalinity. This is not a large value but may lead to higher than 
desired mash pH for some beers. Note that bicarbonate at 119 mg/L is 
119/61 = 1.951 mEq/L which, multiplied by 50, is 97.5 ppm as CaCO3 i.e. 
the alkalinity.

Chloride is practically non existant which means that you may wish to 
supplement it to get some roundness into your beers. Calcium chloride is 
the obvious choice here since the extra calcium will combat the residual 
alkalinity to some extent. The low sulfate value means you can brew 
beers that use large quantities of noble hops without worry. 
Converesely, supplementation with calcium sulfate would probably be 
wanted for most British Ales.

A.J.


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Date: Fri, 2 Jun 2006 11:56:23 -0400
From: "Keith Anderson" <keithxanderson at gmail.com>
Subject: RE: Traveling with HB

Keith wrote:

"I am flying to SF this week and I'd like to take some of my beer with
me.  Will I have problems bringing it with me in my carry on baggage?"

I flew from Newark to SF a few years ago with a few bottles of homebrew in
my backpack and had no problems.  The bottles weren't labeled either.  You
could put six bottles in a cardboard six pack micro brew container if you
are paranoid and tell anyone who asks that it is XXX beer that you are
bringing to your friend in SF.  You may have to take your shoes and belt
off, run your disposable camera through the X-ray machine, and throw away
your lighter but the screeners don't seem interested in booze.  You can buy
a bottle of bourbon and bring it with you on a plane, why not beer?

Keith in Red Bank, NJ


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Date: Fri, 2 Jun 2006 11:57:08 -0400
From: "Keith Anderson" <keithxanderson at gmail.com>
Subject: Decent digital thermometer

Anyone have a recommendation for a decent digital thermometer for measuring
water and mash temps?  i have had horrible luck with kitchen digital
thermometers and refuse to buy another one.  Each one works initially and
then one day goes haywire with incorrect readings.  Since you can't adjust
them they are useless and I don't trust that they will stay consistent in
their inaccuracy (I've tried that a few times, assume they will always be 20
degrees high).  I'm back to using a trusty old analog thermometer but these
are slow after getting used to an instant reading.  I'm willing to buy
another if I know it isn't a disposable piece of junk.

Thanks
Keith in Red Bank, NJ


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Date: Fri,  2 Jun 2006 13:21:51 -0700
From: gates at island.net
Subject: Mash Run-off Issue



I am fairly new to all grain brewing.  I have brewed a pale ale twice in order
to refine my brewing process.  The first two batches I missed my mark for
original gravity and, subsequently, increased my grain bill.  The last batch I
brewed had a total of 12 lbs of grain and I had considerable trouble lautering.
 The liquid flowed for a few seconds and then completely stopped.

I have searched the digest for stuck mash and most (did not read all) posts
suggested slowing run-off.  I am using a rubbermaid (Gott style) cooler with a
false bottom and was wondering if the weight of the grain bed has anything to
do with my troubles?

If the weight is the problem, how can I increase the OG without a large grain
bill?  Am I completely out to lunch?

thanks in advance

David

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