a grain mill (any reccomendations?)
based on what little research i've done, it looks like it's a choice between a cheap corona mill (can be under $30, needs to be tweaked to get a good crush, not easily configurable/variable, can be hit-or-miss), or a more expensive Barley Crusher ($120, high-quality parts, dial to adjust gap, very consistent crush, etc). so it depends if i want to go big or not and i'm still weighing whether i want to leap into that investment. it would allow me to get in on bulk grain purchases which really drives costs down. but i don't brew *that* often, and i kinda like being able to run to the shop and get just what i need, instead of that equipment and grain taking up space in my basement then feeling the need to use whatever i have as opposed to whatever i want... if i do go the self-milling route it wouldn't be until this fall. after the tripel in a few weeks i likely won't be brewing again until late sept or oct.
Which belgian blond did you use?
i went with wyeast 3522, Belgian Ardennes (AKA the Achouffe strain). a big attraction is the fact that it flocculates nicely for a belgian. hopefully both the blond and the ensuing tripel will come out clear.
well shit, i'll need some brews ready for drinking first (a serious hiatus from brewing occurred between january and april).
well shit, get on that
no worries. you just brewed a batch, didn't you? so you'll be good to go in a few weeks. if not i've got plenty to keep us entertained. you can host next time.
that's cool about the ability of cellaring, ever thing about working with a brettanamyces and letting that age?
interesting idea. i really need to learn more about brett. i'm not even 100% sure what it tastes like. i'm also not big on tying up a carboy for that long, so need to look into whether is can be added at bottling time and can do it's thing in a sealed bottle.
working with amarillo for the first time myself, i'm excited to hear how that beer turns out for u. i hear dry-hopping with amarillo is amazing.
i'll be dry-hopping tomorrow and bottling next weekend. the optic-only brew is the lightest thing i've made to date, the yellow is amazing. can't wait to see what it looks like once it clears.
