#brew day

[stryderphoto]

Brew Day Fun - Brew Days are pretty busy but once we get the first batch in the boil kettle and the second batch mashing we can usually squeeze in a game or two of cornhole. Got my ass kicked this time around my buddy Joe here but there’s always next time lol

[forcera]

That's the only pic I got from our club’s brew day. I hosted so I was busy hosting and cooking.

We brewed a Saison. I plan on throwing some bugs into mine.

Having the garden hose cam lock was really nice. It really helps with cleanup. It also is nice being able to clamp the hose in place while filling the kettles. When cleaning the plate chiller we still recirculated with PBW, but flushing it at city pressure is helpful. It also makes flushing out my HERMS coil a cinch.

[dapperhomebrew]

Bochet brew day!

A 12-quart pot was cutting it pretty close for 11.5lbs (1 gallon) of honey.  The foam was right at the brim of the pot on much of the 2-hour boil.  If I did it over again, I’d definitely use a bigger pot.

I was shooting for 3lbs of honey/gallon of must, but a gallon jug (the most convenient bulk honey unit) is 11.5lbs.  So I tried to top up the water to ~3.8 gallons, but what’re you gonna do?  I can only be so accurate with 1/2 gallon markings on the carboy.

It started at 28.9°Bx which is dang high, but I’m kind of flying by the seat of my pants on this one.  I pitched a packet of S-04, which based on what I’ve heard from other brewers will stop between 9% and 13% ABV.  That’s kind of a big spread, so I plan on giving it a taste when the gravity stabilizes.  If it’s too sweet for me, I’ll probably pitch a second strain like a tolerant wine yeast.

The nutrient additions aren’t going to be complicated.  27g total of Fermax yeast nutrient (about 4tsp) added in 9g increments on day 0, day 3, and day 6.  This is called a staggered nutrient addition (SNA).  If all the nutrients are added at the beginning, you tend to get a large temperature spike which can cause off flavors.  Spreading out the nutrient additions means you get several spikes in temperature, but they’re not as dramatic.

To condense the recipe:

11.5lbs (1 gallon) of clover honey

Top-up water to 3.8 gallons, boiled or bottled

1 packet of Safale S-04 English Ale yeast

27g (~4tsp) Fermax yeast nutrient

Heat the jug of honey in a hot water bath to make it easier to pour. A brewing bucket is perfect for this.

Pour the honey into a large pot.  Heat over low heat until it begins boiling.

Boil for 2 hours, stirring to reduce foam.  Keep a spray bottle of water on hand to prevent boil-overs. Be very careful.  Boiling honey is very hot and very sticky.  The honey will darken in color considerably, but should not burn.  P.S. Don’t make a huge sticky mess on the stove like I did.

Transfer the pot to an ice bath to chill.  Add a gallon of top-up water to the pot and stir to expedite the process.

Siphon the must to a sanitized fermenter.  Top up to 3.8 gallons.

Pitch your yeast.  I have not seen enough evidence to suggest that rehydrating yeast does much of anything on the homebrewing scale.  If it makes you feel good, do that.  As for me, I just dump the packet in.

Add 9g of the yeast nutrient and aerate the must.  I use a wine degassing rod and a 12V cordless drill, but use whatever makes you comfortable.

Degas the mead and add 9g of nutrient on the 3rd day of fermentation.  Repeat these steps on the 6th day of fermentation as well.

Past that, the recipe is basically just “wait and see.”

[dapperhomebrew]

OMG this video.  There is just so much going on.  The dude just gradually getting more tipsy for the first half.  The sounds the wet firewood makes at the beginning.  The unnecessary voyeuristic zoom-in shots of the boiling honey.  A tiny goat makes an appearance!  Dude goes to pour the must into the fermenter and it just goes all over the table and floor.  I just...it’s beautiful.

Anyway, I’m thinking about making my first bochet later this month and I’ve been doing research.

[mischievousblade]

Andy Littlefoot and his "Pony"

Meanwhile the actual pony he lost in the North Karanas.

(The pack pony is also the quests reward familiar/pet.)

[mischievousblade]

Crazy Spring 2026 in EverQuest

EverQuest has a lot of annual celebrations with new and old limited events and quests. Thanks to this years holiday calendar, a few too many of these special events happen at the same time. Take a look at todays (March 29th) in game calendar:

Anniversary bonuses

Brew Day events

Bristlebane Day events

Anniversary Overseer Quest

Stomples Day events

Anniversary events (14th - current)

All happening at the same time.

[mischievousblade]

Time to toast Brell Serilis once again!

The Brewday Festival is back in EQ2!

[thebeerthrillers]

Unraveling the Mysteries of Hops: The Heart and Soul of Craft Beer

A single hop hanging on the vine. Unraveling the Mysteries of Hops: The Heart and Soul of Craft Beer In the vibrant world of craft beer, one ingredient often steals the spotlight for its pivotal role in brewing: hops. These green, cone-shaped flowers are not just a cornerstone of beer making; they’re the soulful artisans of the beverage, intricately weaving together the tapestry of flavor, aroma,…

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