BIABrewer Old Hands

1. MS and hurricane Michael

   9 Replies 31148 Views

   First post by jhough, 1 year ago

   First post

   ---

   

   EVERYONE !!!!!! Please keep MS and any other of our brewing brothers and sisters in this hurricanes path in your prayers..
   Just got off phone with MS , he was surveying damage and trying to help neighbor. I may try to get a rescue party together to help him out with his house. Keep everyone posted. If you are interested , either pm me or post here... He is going to call me back tonight.
   PS. I know I've been gone awhile. Wife in and out of hospital again over the past 2 years... sux.. Have not...

   Last post

   ---

   

   Good to hear from ya Pat!
   9 Replies
   31148 Views
   Last post by jhough
   3 months ago
2. How to enter a Hop Stand in the BIABacus?

   3 Replies 75180 Views

   First post by shetc, 4 months ago

   First post

   ---

   

   Hey Guys,
   
   I'm sure this has been addressed before but I couldn't find an answer by searching. The recipe I want to brew calls for a hop stand with 57g of 10.3% AA Centennial, starting 10 mins after flame out and steeping for 20 mins. I'm not sure how this should be entered in the BIABacus especially regarding target IBU calculation.
   
   Thanks,
   Steve

   Last post

   ---

   

   Happy to help. ;)
   
   It’s a reminder about “recipe integrity” discussed elsewhere on this site. The variables in play during a brew day seem innumerable and any data that could make a difference in the outcome (beer) should be included.
   
   I am working toward using my Inkbird temperature recorder to eventually give a time / temp graph that has tick marks for when things changed. eg. stirring mash, end of mash mashout period, pulled bag,, hop additions, FO, post knockout additions, transfer from...
   3 Replies
   75180 Views
   Last post by ShorePoints
   4 months ago
3. More BIABacus function

   5 Replies 2791 Views

   First post by Am33106, 8 months ago

   First post

   ---

   

   I've had some time off to play around with BIABacus and I started programming a bit of automation into areas you previously had to copy from other sections. Specifically, the checklist section. Mine now pulls the data from the recipe entered in sections C & D. The only issue I have to troubleshoot is why hop timing shows up as 0:00 on the print checklist page even though the timings are in the checklist section. If you guys feel like it's useful to you I will try send a BIABacus to PistolPatch...

   Last post

   ---

   

   Pat,
   
   I've made the mistake of not doing a save before making changes to files in the past when I first started trying to learn to code in Python so I'll definitely do that before playing with the reports. I hadn't really done much with Excel formulas until recently when I started looking at pulling info into the checklist. I quickly learned how complicated formulas can get. I have a whole new appreciation for how long it must have taken to get the calculator and now BIABacus up and going....
   5 Replies
   2791 Views
   Last post by Am33106
   8 months ago
4. FG discrepancy between BIABacus PR1.3T and PR1.3U

   2 Replies 2227 Views

   First post by shetc, 9 months ago

   First post

   ---

   

   Hey Gang,
   
   I am about to brew a second batch of a Golden Strong Ale . My first batch was based on a recipe entered into BIABacus PR1.3 T , and the second batch will be the same recipe but entered into PR1.3 U . However, I am seeing a discrepancy between the 2 versions for the final gravity (as well as the predicted ABV). For PR1.3 T , FG is 1.012 (7.8% ABV) while PR1.3 U shows 1.018 (7.0% ABV). There is not much in terms of fermentables: 78.6% pils malt and 21.4% cane sugar -- for both...

   Last post

   ---

   

   Dang, you're smart, MS! I have it set to 84% in T and the default 75% in U :headhit: Thanks!
   
   Now I have to remember where the 84% came from -- the recipe is from BCS so I'll need reread the previous discussions on using it with the BIABacus.
   2 Replies
   2227 Views
   Last post by shetc
   9 months ago
5. Water added to ferm calculations

   2 Replies 2592 Views

   First post by rickoles, 1 year ago

   First post

   ---

   

   Hi everyone
   
   I've been using BIABacus successfully for a few years now. I've recently been wanting to get more out of my brew days however space and equipement limitations have made it difficult. A Brulosophy experiment looking at full vs partial boil volumes and adding water the to the fermenter prompted me to try brewing a concerntrated wort and splitting it into two beers.
   
   I'm attempting to use BIABacus to do this however when I enter something in section W, water added to fermentor, it...

   Last post

   ---

   

   Wow thanks Mally.
   
   I checked this just now by changing the gravity of ambient wort of the full mash to match the partial mash (prior to adding water) and the hop amounts were exactly the same. I never considered hop utilisation reduces the thicker the wort gets... I guess I should've actually studied the tinseth formular...
   
   Based on this I'm considering adding the full amount, or atleast part of the water prior to boil to reduce the amount of hops I'll need so the recipe will be more efficient.
   2 Replies
   2592 Views
   Last post by rickoles
   1 year ago
6. Less hop Aroma in BIAB than other methods

   4 Replies 3308 Views

   First post by Pudendum, 1 year ago

   First post

   ---

   

   Hi all,
   
   Just curious. Has anyone else noticed less hop aroma from late addition & dry hopping with BIAB? No matter what I do, I feel that my hop aroma is restrained with this method (I can get beautiful malt aroma).
   Perhaps it is from the cold crashing or the extra protein from the extra trub. I no sparge BIAB.
   
   Let me know if you have experienced this!
   
   Dave

   Last post

   ---

   

   Sounds like the discussion is really about the chilling method you use. That's why, when trying to copy a recipe, it's great if you can get details of the chilling method. (Have a read of this .) Often you can't and most recipe software doesn't have a place where you can state the method. The BIABAcus has a place for that in Section G but with some of today's hop schedules, sometimes you really need to add some explanatory notes in Section I as well.
   
   There's a lot we don't know about hops....
   4 Replies
   3308 Views
   Last post by PistolPatch
   1 year ago
7. Partigyle Planning Using the BIABacus (An unoffical draft guide)

   14 Replies 5379 Views

   First post by PistolPatch, 1 year ago

   First post

   ---

   

   I've wanted, for a long time, to write a procedure for using the BIABacus to partigyle. One main problem is that I generally do not brew high gravity beers ( Sarah Sarah has forced me several times) and the grain bill on those done has not lent itself to being re-used for a lower gravity brew e.g. Cherry Chocolate Stout! Since tasting Rocky Ridge's absolutely beautiful Rock Juice, I now have the desire!!!
   
   lukasfab and I will brew it on Sunday week. Ricky from Rocky Ridge has already given...

   Last post

   ---

   

   Brew Update
   
   Transferred both these beers to secondary on Thursday for their last hop addition. Then crash-chilled to -1.5 °C. Should get a chance to keg them on Tues or Wed although they could be done now; you can see the trub has settled out already. Some numbers for you. (High gravity beer / partigyle)
   
   VIF and OG: 24.5 L (6.47 Gal) @ 1.097 / 22.5 L (6.0 Gal) @ 1.048
   Final Gravity: 1.025 / 1.012
   Apparent Attenuation: 73.2% / 78.5%
   Primary Fermenter Trub: 5.2 L* (1.37 Gal) / 1.1 L (0.29...
   14 Replies
   5379 Views
   Last post by PistolPatch
   1 year ago
8. Holding off on yeast pitching

   16 Replies 5212 Views

   First post by OldGoat, 1 year ago

   First post

   ---

   

   I am using a FastFerment Conical fermenter and have begun to use a technique that I am actually unsure of the pro vs con regarding it. Hoping to get some very experienced folks to school me.
   
   I use no-chill cubes so I do not go straight from the boil kettle to the fermenter. The wort may sit in the cube for several days waiting for the previous beer to be transferred from the conical to the keg. By that time, the wort in the cube is just the right temp to go into the conical fermenter and all...

   Last post

   ---

   

   Taking early steps to manage trub would be better, as mentioned by others with bag and sock porosity etc. I started with poor quality bags and eventually made up a few fine mesh Swiss voile bags (thank you beachbum/bribie for the simple circle design) the difference in trub was massive. Added whirlpooling at the end of boiling and slow transfer to the cube, again big improvement. My next step was cold crashing, whereby waiting for the primary ferment to finish and transferring to a secondary,...
   16 Replies
   5212 Views
   Last post by Muggy Dawson
   1 year ago
9. Low Oxygen Brewing

   15 Replies 6323 Views

   First post by Mad_Scientist, 3 years ago

   First post

   ---

   

   One of the guys on the low oxygen brewing site has started a thread on HBT under Brew Science.
   
   Bryan Rabe of posted a link to a german brewing site   There he is pointing out the PDF which outlines the methodology for low oxygen brewing (LODO) where you mitigate oxygen ingress at all stages of brewing.
   
   Anyone hear of this before?

   Last post

   ---

   

   Correct! Have a Maximus Super on me.
   15 Replies
   6323 Views
   Last post by ShorePoints
   2 years ago
10. HI HO HI HO Its off to get RO

    2 Replies 2617 Views

    First post by jhough, 2 years ago

    First post

    ---

    

    ON HOLIDAY !!! Get a couple of days for myself. Brewing up my Gulf Coast IPA on Monday , fishing Tuesday, brewing wife's Lime Blondie on Wed.........Then the youngest is at volleyball camp at University sooooooooo I get 3 days with the wife after brew days :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs Guess I'll see how those days are... Still have 2 more after that.....Maybe fire up the smoker!!

    Last post

    ---

    

    Have fun on your holiday! Good to take a regular breaks. I know it's hard to do when you work for yourself, but it's good for the mind.
    2 Replies
    2617 Views
    Last post by Scott
    2 years ago
11. Hopstand

    5 Replies 3689 Views

    First post by smyrnaquince, 2 years ago

    First post

    ---

    

    After 2 years of traditional mashing, I'm coming back to the BIAB fold. :o
    
    I am wondering if the BIABacus provides any way to take into account the IBUs from a hopstand. For example, in a Blonde Ale recipe I am looking at, there is a 30-minute hopstand before chilling and pitching yeast. According to BeerSmith, the 60-minute boil hop addition contributes 17.9 IBU and the 30-minute hopstand contributes 6.9 IBUs, so for this recipe the hopstand contribution is significant (28% of the total...

    Last post

    ---

    

    Dave.....A 30 minute hopstand will impart aromas plus very few IBUs .Just like adding hops at flameout. I will try to find the article I read on adding hops at these time and post the link. If you are looking for IBUs , try adding around 15 minutes. At that time you will get 50% flavor & 50% aroma utilization .
    J
    5 Replies
    3689 Views
    Last post by jhough
    2 years ago
12. [Solved]: Silcone air-lock not working.

    17 Replies 9386 Views

    First post by PistolPatch, 3 years ago

    First post

    ---

    

    [EDIT: Now solved. See this post below . A good example though of how hard some answers are to find.]
    
    Just when I thought I had seen everything!
    
    Okay, here's a pic of my (and youmustbemellow's) last brew... Copy of Fermenter.jpg It's a simple pail with two holes in the lid. The centre one was originally blanked off before I posted this but, in this pic, has a Steri-lock now attached. The hole that is off-centre has a five-holed bung that I can do all sorts of stuff with. A five-holed bung...

    Last post

    ---

    

    Kewl..... Glad to know it wasn't ALIENS !! :lol: :lol: :lol:
    17 Replies
    9386 Views
    Last post by jhough
    2 years ago
13. 90 Minute boil with no early hops?

    2 Replies 2677 Views

    First post by Primavera, 2 years ago

    First post

    ---

    

    If there are no hop additions planned before :20 remaining, is it still necessary to boil for 90 minutes?
    
    I understand why hop additions happen after the first 30 minutes - wouldn't it be a time and propane saver to cut the boil to 60 minutes when only hopbursting?

    Last post

    ---

    

    There's a few things (Edit: actually, a lot of things) worth understanding here.
    
    - Hop addition times are really not that relevant to boil time. For example, if you add x grams of hop A at 90 mins versus adding it at 60 mins, there is very little difference in the end result. So, boiling is not really about hops.
    - A home-brew 90 minute boil is not the same as a craft brewery 90 minute boil. Certain techniques might be employed in a craft brewery that are unavailable to us.
    - You can't...
    2 Replies
    2677 Views
    Last post by PistolPatch
    2 years ago
14. Tinseth formula issues?

    3 Replies 2979 Views

    First post by Lumpy5oh, 2 years ago

    First post

    ---

    

    I recently listened to most of an experimental homebrewing podcast. The topic was expected ibu's vs measured. I have not listened to the lead up cast but the experiment was to provide listeners with an APA, IPA and IIPA recipe. Listeners brewed these and submitted them for testing. Across the board there were discrepancies of up to 30%. Glenn Tinseth was on hand to discuss the results. What I found really interesting is that Glenn said that his formulas are based on whole leaf hops and not...

    Last post

    ---

    

    I realize there is already a ton of documentation on the inaccuracies of ibu calculations. What I found most interesting is the fact that Glenn used whole hops in his testing and believes that once the hops were covered in the sugars in the wort that hop oil extraction dropped and that pellets are probably more efficient. 
    3 Replies
    2979 Views
    Last post by Lumpy5oh
    2 years ago
15. How Much Precision Do You Use w/ Managing Mash Temperature?

    29 Replies 13460 Views

    • 1
    • 2

    First post by Scott, 3 years ago

    First post

    ---

    

    I brewed this today. So let's say you have a mash temperature of 62 deg C / 144 F (German Pils). Planned for a two-step mash with the first part for 50 minutes. Strike temp was 149 deg F. I was quick with the stirring and when done the temperature was 145.5 deg F. Wrapped the pot and at 5 min in temp on the pot was 144.0 deg F. At 25 min in temp was 143 deg F. At 55 min in temp was 141 deg F. (Seems like once the blankets and sleeping bags warmed up they helped to stabilize temp quite a bit....

    Last post

    ---

    

    Scott, I have Stepped, Ramped, Single Infusion, and Reversed Mashed.
    
    The Only noticeable difference has been the Reverse Mash (start High, and let it Cool).
    
    The Original question was How Much Precision Do You Use w/ Managing Mash Temperature?  
    
    My answer is, to Make Beer , NONE.
    
    To make a Recipe Beer, it is Very Important.  
    
    To Duplicate a Recipe , batch to batch, which is Very Difficult, it is Very Important.
    
    If the Recipe says Mash at 145F/62C for an Hour, and then Mash at 157F/60C for...
    29 Replies
    13460 Views
    Last post by Primavera
    3 years ago
16. Dried Yeast Starters ?

    3 Replies 3179 Views

    First post by Yettiman, 3 years ago

    First post

    ---

    

    Why can't Dried yeast be used to make a Starter? 
    
    I have read lots and lots of posts on multiple sites stating that you cannot use a Dried Yeast to make a Starter
    
    Does anyone know why?
    
    Yeast is hard to come by where I live and it would be good if I could split a packet, create a Starter and save the rest for another batch.
    
    Why would this not work?
    
    If you can create a Starter from a single cel and via Slants and Setups create a Starter, why not from part of a Dried Yeast pack containing...

    Last post

    ---

    

    I have never read that you ' can't ' use dry yeast in a starter. I think the general consensus is just that it is unnecessary, since a dry yeast pack has more than enough cells to ferment the standard 5 or 6 gallon batch, where as with liquid yeast the count is lower, and more variable.
    
    In your situation I would do the same thing, especially if yeast is hard to come by. I've noticed around these parts the price of dry yeast has gone up quite a bit over the past couple years too, as well as...
    3 Replies
    3179 Views
    Last post by goulaigan
    3 years ago
17. Finally Brewed !!!

    10 Replies 4707 Views

    First post by jhough, 3 years ago

    First post

    ---

    

    Finally got to brew a batch... Long time in the making. Brewed up my Amber Ale on Labor Day weekend , for us Yanks .
    Smoked a Pork Butt at the same time. Time ran late, so I put the ale in a clean carboy with an airlock. Had to lower temp to pitching temp which took 3 days, life got in the way so it was 10 days b4 pitching. At 4 days I started seeing krausen, ...did I pick up a wild yeast ???? Not sure .... After 10 days pitched rehydrated US- 05 satchet . 3 days after I've got krausen again in...

    Last post

    ---

    

    No worries, I'll be getting my 50th birthday present in November. :nup:
    10 Replies
    4707 Views
    Last post by thughes
    3 years ago
18. Prepping the day before brew day.

    11 Replies 6083 Views

    First post by PistolPatch, 3 years ago

    First post

    ---

    

    This is in the Old Hands forum because, you've done quite a few brews now and I want to hear your thoughts on preparation the night before versus on brewday.
    
    My question is: Do you find that weighing grain and hops (crushing grain if needs be) and setting up equipment the day before brew day makes a difference?
    
    I imagine, but I'm by no means sure, that we'll get different answers depending on people's circumstances. For example, is it more important for a person in a small home who has to...

    Last post

    ---

    

    A lot of what I have here is an accumulation of small parts; o-rings, washers, irrigation bits, fermenter lids/bodies; stuff that is useless to anyone. Yes, there are some bigger items (plate chiller) and various pumps but it is the small stuff that really costs a brewer in money and time.
    
    I'm working on a prototype of something atm and the large bit of it cost $115 AU. I can't count the times I have been to the hardware in the last week but the last receipt I scored yesterday was $130 AU,...
    11 Replies
    6083 Views
    Last post by PistolPatch
    3 years ago
19. Lager

    5 Replies 3900 Views

    First post by jhough, 3 years ago

    First post

    ---

    

    I'll try to keep on point here.
    Used Jamil's method of brewing a lager, ie BJCP study guide. Lagered at 52* for 2 weeks (he says that at that at 50* you do not need a diacetyl rest. Work got in the way for a couple of days and temp went to 58* but never over. At 2.5 week mark now....
    Question, should I increase temp and do a D rest or bring back to 52* and then rack to secondary and lager for 2 months... I know ...WHAT! 2 MONTHS !. Yes I have patience for a good lager !
    
    What say you ??
    J

    Last post

    ---

    

    Hey PP , sorry between work & bro -inlaw in hospital haven't gotten back with you.....
    Pitched at 11c/52fbecause after dropping temp I pulled from chill then aerated wort for 15 minutes... temp rose at that time.
    Beer style is a Classic American Pils.. Yeast was White Labs WLP840.
    Went with a rest ........Not a nap HAHAHA
    J
    5 Replies
    3900 Views
    Last post by jhough
    3 years ago
20. Refractometer?

    36 Replies 16361 Views

    • 1
    • 2

    First post by daddyo, 7 years ago

    First post

    ---

    

    Does anyone use a refractometer instead of a hydrometer? Does it accurately measure FG too, or just OG?
    
    I've been thinking of picking one up, but need to know if they work for both gravity measurements or just one.

    Last post

    ---

    

    Thank you SP for posting that :salute:.
    
    It's always a bit uncomfortable challenging something like this refracto area, sometimes you think, Is it only me that gets these results? :dunno:. Your post definitely makes me feel more at ease :peace:.
    
    Even though I gave up on the refracto ages ago, it was still interesting for me doing the tests. It would be interesting to hear if those who do use a refracto for some parts of their brewing, have more difficulty with darker worts than light ones....
    36 Replies
    16361 Views
    Last post by PistolPatch
    3 years ago
21. Office Water Cooler/Heater Brewing Possibilities

    7 Replies 6533 Views

    First post by PistolPatch, 4 years ago

    First post

    ---

    

    I was getting some office supplies today and noticed that they had office water cooler and heaters for sale for AU$75 (US$53 at time of writing).
    
    Water Cooler.jpg
    There was also another cooler/fridge unit for AU$245 (US$173 at time of writing).
    
    Water Cooler and Fridge.jpg
    The fridge is tiny so forget that but the idea of a water cooler/heater on top of a wine (read fermentation temperature) or bar fridge certainly got the cogs turning. (Just had another quick look online and there are...

    Last post

    ---

    

    I wish you where my neighbor :love: , we could talk over the fence and you can pass your unwanted beer to me...
    7 Replies
    6533 Views
    Last post by Mad_Scientist
    3 years ago
22. High gravity BIAB

    9 Replies 5368 Views

    First post by Contrarian, 4 years ago

    First post

    ---

    

    One of the frustrations I have found with BIAB was that I was struggling to make high gravity beers. This is only a minor concern as I rarely brew high gravity but from time to time the situation arises and I want to give it a go.
    
    My current situation was that I have a yeast cake for a saison/Brett mix that has already made a saison so I was wanting to brew something big for the yeast cake. I also saw this as an opportunity to try a method for brewing high gravity that I thought would work...

    Last post

    ---

    

    I had planned on doing something similar a while back adding base and specialty grains into the bag for the second beer. I never had the time on the planned day so it never happened. I am definitely going keep an eye on this to see how things progress.
    9 Replies
    5368 Views
    Last post by Lumpy5oh
    4 years ago
23. How much when repitching from yeast slurry

    21 Replies 10808 Views

    First post by chesl73, 4 years ago

    First post

    ---

    

    I haven't tried it before but thought I'd give yeast washing/re-using a go. I've got a bottle of my old yeast which has been washed in the fridge, I've gotten rid of any trub and any top floating beer/water to leave me with about 200mls or so of yeast slurry.
    I only do small batches of around 2.5G/10L (into fermenter) so I was wondering how much of this yeast slurry I should pitch into my next brew (OG ~ 1.050)?
    I tried using the Mrmalty.com website but it suggested I only need 43 ml, that's...

    Last post

    ---

    

    Thanks - Joshua. Can't guarantee the crazy apart...
    21 Replies
    10808 Views
    Last post by Brew4me
    4 years ago
24. Advanced BIABacus Pre-Release Questions

    204 Replies 72947 Views

    • 1
    • …
    • 5
    • 6
    • 7
    • 8
    • 9

    First post by PistolPatch, 6 years ago

    First post

    ---

    

    There are a few BIABacus Pre-Release Questions being asked on the forum that don't quite fit into the current pre-release structure - they are not feedback questions or scaling questions.
    
    I'll reserve a few posts here on the off-chance it might make life easier on the mods. In the meantime, I would like to get at least one advanced answer done here.
    
    (Please bear in mind that I am also quite short on time atm and so any answers I can give here will be more, Discuss between yourselves ones,...

    Last post

    ---

    

    Contraian, My Post Boil temperature Greatly Varies with the Ambient Room Temperatures
    
    The rate of Cooling can be 1F per Minute at the start, and as All Cooling systems, drops of to less than 1F per 20 minutes Near Ambient.
    
    All I do is Wrap the Kettle In a Home Made Kettle Cozy , (an Old Sleeping Bag cut in to a thick Cup shape).
    
    Then add the Flavor hops until the Flavor Rocks, about 5 to 20 minutes depending of the Hop, then Un-zip the Cozy and let it cool to 140F, and add the Aroma Hops,...
    204 Replies
    72947 Views
    Last post by joshua
    4 years ago
25. Crown Beer

    13 Replies 9729 Views

    First post by hashie, 5 years ago

    First post

    ---

    

    Let me first preface this post by saying that I am not trying to clone, copy or otherwise mimic another beer, commercial or otherwise. I simply wish to discuss and experiment as to the merits of Crown Beer.
    
    For a long time an Australian brewery, Carlton and United Brewery (CUB), has, in my opinion, been ripping punters off. They have done this by selling 2 different beers from the one fermenter. This is done by bottling the lower 2/3 (I really don't know the amounts, this is just a guess) of...

    Last post

    ---

    

    50% of one, 50% of the other Lumpy.
    
    A keg of beer isn't homogenised, kegs (universally?) draw from the bottom and in 2 days the hops have changed.
    
    But back to the stratification of a bottle of chimay. Put into a bottle of water, vinegar and oil and observe the stratification. Shake it (create a salad dressing)and see how long it takes to stratify again - pouring a beer isn't as radical as shaking. So depending on if you are sipping on $20 liquid or skulling a small beer after a hard days...
    13 Replies
    9729 Views
    Last post by DanIAm
    4 years ago