What are you brewing?

[nzbrewer]

Since this is the most popular thread on the RealBeer.co.nz forum I thought I would start it here just to see what happens

[Stu McKinlay]

a straw would be helpful... then i won't need to even sit up ;-)

[Karl Hayes]

Hi Barry.

I see you're using a lot of different weights of hops and I presume you get the standard 100g vacuum packs. How do you keep the remaining contents of the opened packs fresh? How long do they last for without losing their effectiveness?

Cheers

[Barry]

I have traditionally bought 1kg at a time of NZ varieties off NZ Hops. I keep them in the freezer in the silver bags, with the air expelled and rolled up as tightly as I can.

They don't keep though, it takes me too damn long to use a kilo, plus you don't get the variety of course.

So these days I'm buying enough for the next 5-ish beers at a time from Brewers Coop - 500gm or so of a couple of varieties - usually American.

Keep em in the freezer, they will keep as good as they can. But use em up.

 

[JackoNZ]

A simple idea that I find works ok is to do as Barry says but then place the bags in a plastic tupperware type container, clip-clap probably best.

[Barry]

yeah nice idea that. cheers Jacko.

[JackoNZ]

If I have a small amount left like 30g or so, that will usually roll up and fit inside one of those small deli style containers plus lid, which can then also go in the tupperware container.

[denimglen]

A vacuum sealer works well for saving hops if you want to fork out a bit of cash for one.

 

Hint:  Put it in the kitchen and you'll be able to convince someone to go halves with you :-D.

[Stu McKinlay]

I find they get considerably better over time.  I've been using some 2009 harvest Sauvin, Motueka, Pacifica and Willamette over the last six months... unbelievably good.  I use the same storage method as Barry (1kg bags, freezer, rolled up tight).  My IBUs might not be bang on but I'm happy... the beers still seeme to ba balanced.

 

 

[Christian]

Just used up the last of my 1 Kg bags of 2009 Mot and Cascade in the weekend + still have lots of Southern Cross. I'm using the same method of storage and haven't noticed any decline in quality either.

[James P]

Double brew day on the weekend, managed the following (due to grain restrictions)

 

NZPA

4.00 kg	Pilsner (2 Row) Bel (2.0 SRM)	Grain	85.11 %
0.44 kg	Munich Malt (9.0 SRM)	Grain	9.36 %
0.26 kg	Caramel/Crystal Malt - 20L (20.0 SRM)	Grain	5.53 %
15.00 gm	Southern Cross [13.80 %] (60 min)	Hops	26.9 IBU
45.00 gm	Riwaka [5.50 %] (10 min)	Hops	6.4 IBU
15.00 gm	Nelson Sauvin [12.50 %] (0 min) (Aroma Hop-Steep)	Hops	-
30.00 gm	Hallertauer, New Zealand [8.50 %] (0 min) (Aroma Hop-Steep)	Hops	-
1.00 tsp	Irish Moss (Boil 10.0 min)	Misc
1 Pkgs	SafAle American Ale (DCL Yeast #S-05)	Yeast-Ale

 

APA (sort of)

Amount	Item	Type	% or IBU
4.00 kg	Pilsner (Gladfields) NZ (1.0 SRM)	Grain	87.91 %
0.30 kg	Munich Malt - 10L (10.0 SRM)	Grain	6.59 %
0.20 kg	Caramel/Crystal Malt - 10L (10.0 SRM)	Grain	4.40 %
0.05 kg	Black (Patent) Malt (500.0 SRM)	Grain	1.10 %
10.00 gm	Centennial [10.00 %] (60 min)	Hops	13.0 IBU
5.00 gm	Simcoe [13.00 %] (60 min)	Hops	8.4 IBU
5.00 gm	Simcoe [13.00 %] (30 min)	Hops	4.3 IBU
10.00 gm	Centennial [10.00 %] (30 min)	Hops	6.6 IBU
10.00 gm	Centennial [10.00 %] (0 min)	Hops	-
20.00 gm	Simcoe [13.00 %] (0 min)	Hops	-
20.00 gm	Amarillo Gold [8.50 %] (0 min) (Aroma Hop-Steep)	Hops	-
1 Pkgs	SafAle American Ale (DCL Yeast #S-05)	Yeast-Ale

[Richard Deeble]

Brewed this up this morning before work:

 

Best Bitter/Pale Ale-24 litre batch, Partial BIAB mash, 13 litre boil.

 

3kg Golden Promise

340g Crystal 90EBC

1 Kg Light DME added with 15 mins to go

A touch of CaS04 to harden the water a little

60mins 12 g Sauvin (12.8%)

30mins 10g NZ Willamete (6.4%), 10 grams Imp. Styrian Goldings (4%)

15 mins 10 g NZ Willamete, 10g Styrian Goldings

10 mins 15 g NZ Willamete, 15g Styrian Goldings, koppafloc, yeast nutrient

5 mins 15 g NZ Willamete, 15g Styrian Goldings

15 g NZ Willamete, 15g Styrian Goldings at flameout           

30 IBU (13 litre boil accounts for the lower level of bitterness)

 

OG ended up being slightly higher than expected due to better than expected efficiency, so added some water to make it a 25 litre batch.

 

Using S-04. Pitched at 20c, put it in a bathful of water to cool it slightly and keep the temp steady. Looking to keep it around 18 for around 3-4 days, then let it rise after that to clean things up . I'll probably give it decent dry hop-I'm thinking something like 60 grams...any suggestions? Perhaps that might be a little too much... I have plenty of Willamette and Styrians left, looking for a nice mix of floral and citrus flavour and aroma to help balance out the characteristics of the yeast. I like S-04 for these type beers but it definitely tones down the hops slightly.

 

I'm currently still doing partial mashes and have had reasonable success but I'm definitely getting sick of trying to cool wort in a pot in the bath. I need to get a decent sized kettle, a gas burner and immersion chiller to make brewing slightly more manageable.

[Tony]

Weemans Ale.

 

Marris Otter 4 kg

Cara wheat 450 g

caramel malt 40L 300 g

super alpha 10 g @60

NS 20g @ 30

NS 10 @15

NZ fuggles 15g @10

"   "                15G@ 5

"     "              15g @ FO

 

Rindwoods Ale yeast 1L starter

 

44 IBU

5.8% abv